Defrosting your freezer: how to do it

1. Switch off your freezer. If your appliance doesn’t have an on/off button, unplug it from the socket.
2. Empty the freezer completely. Ideally, you’ll have only a few items in the freezer when you defrost it. Still have frozen products inside? Put them in a cool bag or cool box to keep them cold.
3. Remove the drawers from your freezer but leave the bottom drawer in place. This will catch most of the meltwater and prevent water from running onto the floor.
4. Does your freezer have a drip tray? Place it under the drain outlet to catch melted ice and water. If you don’t have a drip tray, you can use a washing-up bowl or bucket. Check what height fits under the freezer’s drain. You’ll usually find the drain at the bottom front of the freezer.

5. To be on the safe side, place a towel in front of the freezer to prevent water damage to the floor, in case any water spills past the tray or bucket.
6. The freezer will now start to defrost.
7. Do you want to defrost it quickly? Use a wooden or plastic spatula or an ice scraper to gently scrape ice off the back wall of the freezer. Or place a pan of hot water in the freezer and close the door. The steam will help defrost your freezer faster.
8. Once the appliance has fully defrosted, it’s time to clean it. Use a damp cloth with a mild cleaning product, then dry the freezer thoroughly before switching it back on and refilling it.

The good news is that you only need to defrost your freezer once or twice a year. Of course, this is just a guideline: if you notice ice building up in your freezer, it’s recommended to defrost it sooner. You can also check the freezer’s cooling elements to see whether it’s time. Is there white ice between the cooling elements? If so, follow the instructions above to defrost the freezer.