Defrosting Freezers - Any Tips

I hate defrosting my large freezer, the smaller one takes care of itself fortunately. I have emptied it into three cool bags and placed a bowl of hot water in the top freezer space but anyone got any tips on hurrying the job through before the produce starts to thaw?

Re: Defrosting Freezers - Any Tips

Just one, Moyra;
Don't be tempted to use a hair-dryer to speed the de-icing process up..

I did, and damaged the inside walls irrepairably.

Can you not ask nextdoor to put your frozen stuff in her freezer for a few hours?

Re: Defrosting Freezers - Any Tips

I doubt she would have that much room, no without any firm ways of hurrying it along I shall have to keep refilling the bowl with very hot water. Once I can get the ice moving I should be able to brush or knock it off the elements provided I go careful.

Re: Defrosting Freezers - Any Tips

I do what you are doing, put bowl hot water in and try and remove the ice while I can get it into chunks and before it turns to water, then dry with an old towel to finish.

Re: Defrosting Freezers - Any Tips

Get a little trigger spray and keep filling it with hot water and spray onto the ice. I keep an old towel at the bottom of the freezer which I keep wringing out into a bowl.

Re: Defrosting Freezers - Any Tips

Hmm, don't think I have an empty spray bottle could use the Dettol spray I have handy and try that and when that is used up refill it with hot water and spray on the ice. It is beginning to thaw ok now but is taking its time. Thanks everyone for your help. I would imagine the deicer you have for car windscreens is not really advisable as it contains chemicals.

Re: Defrosting Freezers - Any Tips

You say you have a small freezer as well. What you should do is let the contents of both freezers run as low as possible and then when the big freezer needs defrosting put the stuff from it in the small freezer.

No rush to get the job done ... That's what I do.

I use the bowl of hot water method too.

Re: Defrosting Freezers - Any Tips

Unfortunately the small freezer is basically for my sons fishing bait and I am lucky if I get a shelf in there. If I had a larger kitchen I would get another small freezer. He'll be cooking up more bait soon and then I shall have to vacate that freezer altogether!

Re: Defrosting Freezers - Any Tips

P.L.E.A.S.E. don't use a screwdriver or knife to dig the chunks of ice off the walls...

Re: Defrosting Freezers - Any Tips

There was only a little Dettol cleaner in one bottle so emptied that and filled the empty spray bottle managed to spray the very top back where it is difficult to get to so am hoping with that and filling the ice tray up with hot water will help that defreeze quicker.