Additional maintenance and care tips for chest freezers:
Defrost
Additional maintenance and care tips for upright freezers:
Automatic defrost models:
Clean the defrost pan: Most upright freezers have a self-defrosting feature. Every eight to 12 hours, the freezer melts frost that accumulates on the coils. The water drains into a shallow pan located at the bottom of the freezer. There’s no need to empty the pan, as the water will evaporate naturally. However, you’ll need to check and clean the pan periodically. Use warm water and dish detergent to clean the pan. This will prevent odors and curb mold growth. Most models enable you to easily detach the lower grill and slide out the pan. Refer to your owner’s manual for cleaning instructions specifically for your model.
Clean off the condenser coils and cooling fan once per year. These important components attract dust and dirt. Layers of dust and lint buildup require the unit to work harder. To clean the coils:
Unplug the freezer, use a long-handle bristle brush – coupled with your vacuum cleaner – to remove lint, dirt, pet fur and other debris from the condenser coils and then restore power to the freezer.
Note that for models with condenser coils located inside of the freezer walls: Since the coils release the heat through the walls, it’s wise to position the freezer with plenty of space around it so the heat can dissipate efficiently.
Manual defrost models:
When frost has accumulated on the inside walls to a thickness of half an inch (or about one centimeter) or so, remove the food from the freezer, turn off the thermostat or unplug the unit and allow all of the frost to melt naturally. Do not scrape off the ice, as you can puncture a refrigerant line. Once the frost has melted completely, turn the freezer back on, wait for it to reach its operating temperature and restock it with food.