Ice formation in freezers is a continual process. Fortunately, it can be reduced in both frost-free and manual defrost freezers.
Why Ice Forms
When you open a freezer door, warm or humid air enters and makes contact with the cold evaporator coils. The moisture in the air instantly freezes to form frost, and eventually enough frost accumulates as ice. The key to reducing this ice build-up is restricting the amount of moisture entering your freezer.
Importance of Preventing Ice Build-Up
Ice build-up in your freezer can result in the following:
- Less storage space for your favorite frozen foods
- Increased energy costs
- Unpleasant freezer odors
- Texture and flavor of frozen foods ruined by “freezer burn”
- Freezer overworking and wearing out components
Here are some actions you can take to keep unnecessary moisture out of your freezer:
1. Open the freezer door or chest lid as little as possible.
Decide what you want to pull out of the freezer before opening the door/lid. Having an organized food storage system with clear labels will also cut down on the open door or lid time.
If the door on an upright freezer is prone to staying open or opening wide, raise the front legs of the unit to permit gravity to close it.
2. Make sure the door/lid seals are tight.
A faulty seal or door gasket is going to let cold air out and warm air in.
Clean the gasket of any food residue or ice crystals that might be preventing a proper seal. Use a mild detergent and soft damp cloth, and also wipe the door frame. Dry the gasket thoroughly to remove any moisture.
You can then check if the seal is tight enough by closing the freezer door with a dollar bill or piece of paper stuck halfway in. Pull on the bill — if it comes out easily, the seal isn’t snug enough. Replace the gasket.
3. Tighten or replace hinges.
Loose or damaged hinges will prevent the door or lid from closing with a complete seal, and will increase the humidity inside the freezer. Tighten or replace any hinges stopping the door or lid from shutting properly.
4. Store food in proper amounts and away from air vents.
Frozen food items help keep the air cold inside the freezer. When you open the freezer door and let in warm air, the air will cool quickly again once the door is closed. A crammed freezer blocks the air vents and prevents proper air flow. The reduced airflow results in moist air landing on frozen food and forming frost.
When too little food is stored, the air won’t cool quickly enough after the door closes, causing frost to build up. It actually takes less energy to keep a full freezer cold.
The recommended amount of food storage to prevent ice build-up is 2-3 pounds per cubic meter of freezer space. Another method of measuring proper food storage is to keep one inch of space between food items and the walls, ceiling, and back of the freezer.
5. Don’t put hot or wet foods in the freezer.
Placing warm or hot foods in the freezer creates humidity that quickly develops frost on the walls. Cool any hot meals first on the counter, then cool them down even more in the refrigerator before storing in the freezer.
Wet food also creates frost. Sometimes frozen items purchased at the grocery store thaw a little before you get home. Dry them off first to get rid of extra moisture before putting them into the freezer.
6. Set your freezer to the right temperature.
According to the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) you should keep your freezer at 0°F. This is the ideal temperature for food storage and safety, and for preventing frost issues. Use an appliance thermometer for verification.
7. Check the ice dispenser.
An ice dispenser’s chute door can remain open if a piece of ice gets caught, allowing warm air to enter the freezer through the chute. This can also damage the ice maker if left unnoticed.
You can use a plastic spoon to remove the ice that’s preventing the chute door from closing. Consult your owner’s manual on how to access the chute door if you can’t clearly see it.
Defrost Problems
Sometimes a mechanical problem in a frost-free freezer prevents proper defrosting, and frost and ice start to build up. Some of these mechanical issues include:
1. Defrost Timer
The defrost timer signals the heater to turn on at regular times during the day to prevent frost build-up. A defrost cycle won’t occur if the timer is defective. A compressor that runs continuously could indicate the timer isn’t working.
2. Defrost Heater
A malfunctioning defrost heater can’t melt the frost on the evaporator coils, causing a build-up in the freezer.
3. Defrost Thermostat
The defrost thermostat monitors the temperature of the freezer’s evaporator coils, and determines when the heater turns on and off. If it malfunctions, it can prevent the heater from turning on, leading to frost accumulation in the freezer.
4. Frozen and Clogged Freezer Drain
Ice can build up on the freezer floor if the freezer defrost drain becomes clogged, then frozen. Water may also be leaking onto the floor.
Depending on your model, you may have to disassemble part of the freezer to access the defrost drain tube.
If the drain opening is frozen over, gently thaw it out using a hair dryer. Then use a turkey baster to run hot tap water directly into the drain hole to unfreeze the drain. You can mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 to 3 cups of hot water to help clean and unclog the whole drain tube. The drain tube is cleared and unfrozen when water is dripping down into the drain pan.
To prevent this from recurring, pour a baking soda and hot water solution into the drain opening once or twice a year.
To keep your freezer and other major appliances operating at their best, call the pros at C&W Appliance Service at (855) 358-1496 or complete our online service request form.
