Defrosting the refrigerator quickly - 5 tips

We will tell you how to properly and above all quickly defrost the freezer compartment of your refrigerator. Basically, you should defrost the refrigerator regularly and at least once or twice a year. This way you save a lot of energy.

Tip 1: Defrost the refrigerator when it is cold

So that you don't have to throw away the food, you should only defrost the refrigerator when it is cold outside. We'll show you a few ways you can accommodate the food.

• Place the food in a cold room or outside in winter.
• Alternatively, you can also take a cooler bag and place the frozen items there.
• Also ask neighbors if it is possible to temporarily store your groceries there.
• Alternatively, you can plan to defrost and use up the food before defrosting the freezer.

Tip 2: Switch off the refrigerator before defrosting

With many refrigerators it is possible to defrost the freezer compartment independently of the refrigerator. Nevertheless, it makes sense to switch the device off completely:

• On the one hand, you can take the opportunity to clean both areas straight away.
• On the other hand, the cooling capacity could skyrocket because the temperatures suddenly rise. It is therefore possible that the motor in your refrigerator is overheating. Especially if the freezer compartment and the refrigerator cannot be switched off separately, you must switch off the complete refrigerator.

Tip 3: Melt the ice

If you are in a hurry or want to quickly melt the ice, you should help:

• Take an ordinary hair dryer and stand in front of the freezer. The ice now begins to melt slowly.
• If you want to go a little faster, you can boil water and put it in the freezer, for example in a saucepan or in a cup. Close the doors and wait for the ice to melt.

Tip 4: catch the water

To ensure that your kitchen is not under water, you should first check how thick the layer of ice is. Then proceed differently.

• If the layer of ice is thin, you can spread a towel under and in front of the refrigerator to catch the amount of water. You can also place a small and very flat bowl, a lunch box or a baking sheet in front of the fridge to collect more water.
• If the layer of ice is thick, you should take additional precautions: Take a bucket and larger spoons made of wood or plastic. If the ice is slightly thawed, carefully break out individual pieces and put them in the bucket. Little by little, the ice blocks can be broken off and disposed of in the sink. Your kitchen will not be under water afterwards. Be very careful to avoid damaging the freezer compartment.

Tip 5: Clean the fridge

• Take a bucket of fresh water and add a little washing-up liquid. Now use a rag to wipe through the fridge and freezer.
• Alternatively, you can grab a bucket of warm water and add a little vinegar. Then, after defrosting, clean the refrigerator with this liquid.
• Remember to dry the refrigerator before putting the food in it.

Also read what you should consider when storing food in the refrigerator.