With time and use, freezers often end up accumulating ice on the walls. One of the main consequences of this is less space available for freezing food. However, this is not the only consequence.
The build-up of ice on the walls of the freezer interferes with the temperature of the appliance. The freezer should be at around -18ºC, however, the temperature can be about half that because of the ice, forcing the motor to work harder to try to recover.
It is therefore essential to properly maintain the freezer so that it has a long service life, is as efficient as possible and ensures that frozen food does not spoil.
Manufacturers of this appliance usually recommend cleaning it every six months. Depending on the level of ice build-up, it may be necessary to do this more often. A good rule to follow is to clean it whenever the ice layer is more than half a centimeter high.
The simple trick for cleaning ice out of the freezer
One of the most common ways to remove ice from the freezer is to empty it and unplug it until it thaws. However, here’s a trick that speeds up the process.
- Start by covering the walls of the freezer with sheets of aluminum foil, ensuring that all the ice is covered.
- Put a pan of water on to heat – be careful, the pan must be big enough to fit inside the freezer with the door closed.
- When the water boils, place the pan inside the freezer and close the door.
- After a few minutes, remove the ice with a spatula. If there are areas where the ice still seems to be stuck, soak a cloth in hot water and wipe over the foil.
- Once the freezer is ice-free, clean it with an antibacterial product.
This trick works because aluminum foil is a good conductor of heat and will help spread the warm temperature of the pan of water throughout the freezer, making the ice melt more quickly.
