Freezer all frosted up? The frostier a freezer is the less efficient it will be, leaving it prone to breaking and your food not being stored at the right temperature. It’ll eat up extra electricity too, which we all know isn’t good for the planet.
Thankfully, this is easy to solve and prevent – all you’ve got to do is defrost your freezer! This is something that you and your flatmates are responsible for, as per your accommodation contract (you’ll find it in your T&Cs), so it’s a good idea to get some practice in before freezer disaster strikes. Follow our handy step-by-step guide for stress-free defrosting every time:
- 1. Remove all items from your freezer, ensuring you have somewhere safe to store them (we recommend an ice box or in a sink of cool water)
- 2. Switch off the freezer at the wall, and prop the door open so it defrosts quicker
- 3. Remove and wash all the freezer drawers
- 4. Place a bucket and some towels at the bottom of the freezer to collect the water as the ice melts. We recommend putting a wet floor sign up in the kitchen to prevent any slippages!
- 5. Once all the ice has melted, dispose of the water and wipe the inside of the freezer dry with kitchen roll or a cloth
- 6. Replace the drawers and switch the freezer back on at the wall. The alarm may sound whilst the freezer reaches temperature; you can press the reset button to silence it.
- 7. Once up to temperature, restock your freezer and keep the temperature at -18 degrees for maximum efficiency
Top tip: to prevent having to defrost your freezer, make sure it’s not overfilled, and that the door is fully closed and sealed when shut.
If you’d like more advice on looking after your freezer or flat, please get in touch with us through the Student Living Helpdesk.