Freezer Maintenance Tips

Freezer has become one of the necessary kitchen appliances in many households. If you do not have enough room in your refrigerator freezer, you may consider buying a freezer. Freezer is intended for long-term food storage and allows consumers to buy items in bulk so that they can shop less frequently and save some money by buying fresh fruits and vegetables in season. It is also convenient to have some ice cream or your favorite treats frozen and on hand.

There are a lot of different brands and models of freezers, but they can all be separated into two main types:

Upright freezers                                   Chest freezers

	Upright freezers	Chest freezers
Advantages	Easier to see what you have. Fits into a smaller space. Food is better organized as freezer has shelves or drawers. Has a good interior light. Easier to defrost and clean. More convenient to store small frozen items	More energy efficient. Less expensive. Retains cold better during a power outage. Has a better storage. More convenient to store large and bulky food.
Disadvantages	More expensive. Less energy efficient. Can hold less food. Does not keep the food frozen when the power goes out.	Interior may not be lighted. Takes up more floor space. It is not as easy to organize food. Cleaning is more difficult

Follow these simple tips to keep your freezer running well for a long time:

Place your freezer away from direct sunlight and heat sources (ovens, radiators, etc.)

Keep your freezer a good distance from the wall to prevent overheating. Consult the owner’s manual for specific space recommendations.

 

 

 

 

Set the proper temperature

Adjust the temperature using the temperature control. The ideal temperature for your freezer is 0° Fahrenheit or -18 degrees Celsius. If your model does not have a thermostat, use a thermometer to check that your freezer is operating at the right temperature.

 

Clean the interior of your freezer

You should plan cleaning your freezer ahead as the entire process will take about a day, depending on the type and size of freezer you have. With minimal care and cleanings, your freezer will operate for many years.

Here are some tips which will make freezer cleaning easier:

• Unplug the freezer.
• Empty the ice from the freezer trays into the cooler.
• Wash the trays with water, liquid soap, and a sponge.
• Set aside to dry.
• Take out all the frozen food and put it in the cooler.
• Remove all drawers and shelves.
• Defrost the freezer, if half an inch or about one centimeter of frost has accumulated on the freezer walls.
• Wash the drawers and shelves in a sink full of warm, soapy water. For any stubborn stains, a mixture of white vinegar and water should help.
• Rinse the shelves and drawers thoroughly and set aside to dry.
• Clean the interior of the freezer with baking soda and warm water.
• Wipe down the doors and gasket.
• Dry the inside of the freezer thoroughly with a paper towel.
• Replace the shelves and drawers.
• Deodorize your freezer by putting a small box of baking soda into a corner of the freezer.
• Let the freezer run for around six hours before returning frozen items to the freezer

Clean the condenser coils

The coils attract dust and dirt to their surface. When dust accumulates on the coils, the condenser has to work much harder to maintain the proper temperature in the freezer. It means that the unit overworks and consumes more energy. As a result, you will receive bigger electric bills and it may reduce the useful life of your freezer.

To avoid these problems, clean the coils once in three months. Just unplug the freezer, remove dirt, dust and other debris from the condenser coils using brush and vacuum cleaner and restore power to the freezer.

Check the gasket (door seal)

The door seal keeps cool air inside the freezer. The gasket should remain tight for your freezer to work properly. Place a piece of paper in between the fridge door and fridge interior to test seal strength. If you can pull the piece of paper out easily, the gasket should be replaced. Fortunately, it is inexpensive and easy.

 

Keep your freezer organized

Organizing contents in freezer will help to clear space, makes food taste better and you will enjoy the cooking process more.

Check out some ideas on how to organize your freezer the right way:

• Package everything properly using a sealing system, freezer bags, or plastic containers that will keep air and water crystals out of the food.
• Label each package clearly with a description that says what kind of food it is and the date you made it.
• Portion out your meals or ingredients ahead of time, freeze them individually, and then just use what need.

Try to keep your freezer full but not overcrowded

Full freezer maintains its temperature better and means less work for the condenser whereas overcrowded one is the opposite. A freezer needs a good amount of air circulation to keep food frozen and to save on energy.

 

 

 

 

 

If you follow these maintenance tips, your freezer will operate for longer time, consume less energy and you will have properly frozen food in case you have an inspiration to cook something tasty.

Do not hesitate to contact us if any problem with your freezer occurs. Our experienced technician will come to your place, diagnose your appliance and repair it at the soonest possible time.