Cleaning > AppliancesAugust 24, 2008

Tips for Defrosting Chest Freezers

I have an easy, QUICK way to defrost my chest freezer. After defrosting and wiping dry, put about a tablespoon of glycerin on a cloth and run it around the side walls and the top of your freezer. Next time you defrost it, the ice will come off in sheets and no need to chip away. Just get a hairdryer set to its hottest setting and play it around the top rim of the freezer to loosen the ice. Last time I defrosted my freezer after about 8 months, it took me no more than 30 minutes from start to finish!

By Cett from Malta, Europe

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04/02/2011

By far, the fastest and easiest way to defrost a freezer is to use a vaporizer -- the kind that shoots out steam and used when you have a cold, or when the air is too dry. You can get one for about $10 in any drugstore. Amazon sells one for for $11. Basically, filll it with water and put in the recommended amount of salt. Place inside the freezer with the steam nozzle aim at the area you want to defrost most. Plug in (making sure the plug isn't exposed to water!) and within minutes you'll have hot steam blasting out. If you want to melt the entire interior, simply close the freezer door with the vaporizer running. In less than 5 mins, chunks of ice will start falling off. Add more salt if the blast isn't powerful enough but be aware that more steam means more electricity used so your fuse may blow.

This is much better than using a hair dryer because 1) Steam is more efficient than dry heat for melting; 2) It uses MUCH less electricity; hairdryers on high uses 1500-1800 watts. A vaporizer uses about 400 watts with the recommended amount of salt, more if you add more salt, increasing output; 3) it's more convenient. No need to hold on to the hairdryer. Simply place the vaporizer in the freezer and leave. Close the door if you wish; 4) it's safer. The vaporizer itself is made to hold water and to blast out water so you need only protect the cord outside. A hair dryer is dangerous around melting ice.

http://www.amazon.com/Vicks-Nursery ... =UTF8&qid=1301772921&sr=8-12

The great thing about the vaporizer is that it has other uses like humidifying the air, keeping plants moist, tasty underwear, soothing nasal passages, disinfecting (put toothbrushes in front of the steam), etc.

By
08/27/2008

you can buy glycerin from any pharmacy. its cheap.

By (Guest Post) 08/25/2008

That is an excellent tip. Thanks so much!

By
08/25/2008

Thanks for a good tip. Where do you buy glycerin?

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