If you're in the market to purchase new refrigeration appliances, then you may have come across the terms 'frost free' and 'total no frost' a few times. These are big selling points for refrigeration, but what does frost free mean? How does it compare to total no frost? How do you decide which works best for you?

Why do you need to defrost your freezer?

If you've got an older freezer, it's likely that it will need defrosting manually. It's not an easy job, but something that is essential to ensure that your appliance is working properly. All chest freezers will need to be manually defrosted too.

Outside air will enter your freezer whenever the door is open, this outside air contains heat and moisture. This moisture will become frost inside your freezer which over time can build up and become ice. Too much ice in your freezer can cause issues. The most obvious issue is if there's too much ice buildup inside your freezer, then there will be less room to store your food items.

The ice buildup will also act as insulation which will eventually prevent the freezer from cooling effectively. This means that the freezer will have to work harder to maintain the desired temperature and will in turn use more energy. Using more energy means that your electricity bills will be higher. It can also affect the longevity of your freezer. Making sure that your freezer is regularly defrosted means that it won't have to overwork and you will reduce the strain on the components. This prevents damage over time.

Have you ever taken something out of the freezer and found that it tastes unusually dry or bland? Excess ice and frost can also lead to freezer burn which ruins the quality of your food. It can give ice cream a grittier texture and make meats and vegetables feel tougher. Freezer burn can't be reversed and is due to a loss of moisture.

How do you manually defrost a freezer?

If your freezer requires manual defrosting, it's best to ensure that you defrost it regularly. Leaving it for too long can cause extra build up of ice. Your freezer should be defrosted at least twice a year, but more frequently if the ice buildup is thicker than 6mm. Manually defrosting a freezer isn't as difficult as you might think. If you keep on top of it, you just need to put aside a couple of hours twice a year.

How to prep before manually defrosting a freezer

  • Unplug the freezer - For your own safety, you need to make sure the freezer has been unplugged from the socket. Ensure that you have enough space around the freezer to work on it.
  • Remove any food - If your freezer is full, then you need to make sure you can store the food somewhere where it won't defrost or spoil. If you have another freezer available, then you can just transfer it over. However, you can also use a cool box or insulated freezer bags and ice packs if you have them.
  • Remove and drawers/baskets/shelves - Most chest freezers will have removable storage baskets. Tall freezers or undercounter freezers are likely to have removable shelves or drawers. These will need to be carefully removed.
  • Prepare the floor - You need to make sure you are prepared for any water drainage, so line the surrounding floor with old towels. If your freezer has a drain, place a tray underneath it to catch the water as the ice melts.

Getting rid of the ice buildup

  • Allow the ice to melt - This is the most time consuming part. If you want to melt the ice quicker, you can place a bowl of hot water inside the freezer. Some people try to speed things up with heaters or hair dryers, but this is not recommended. Soak up any of the water inside the freezer with towels.
  • Clean the detachable parts - While the ice is melting, use this time to thoroughly clean your shelves/drawers/baskets. Ensure they are fully dried afterwards.

Setting the freezer back up

  • Plug the freezer back in - When the freezer has fully defrosted, plug it back in and put the shelves/drawers/baskets back in. Allow it to sit for the recommended time in the user manual before use.
  • Refill - Once the freezer has been sat for the right amount of time and has reached the desired temperature, you can start to refill it.

What are frost free freezers?

Frost free freezers are a great option for those who want to save time and not have to manually defrost their appliance. They work by preventing ice buildup and frost formation by using a thermostat, fan and a heating element. The temperature in the freezers is kept low by a fan which blows cold air throughout the appliance. At regular intervals, the heating element inside the freezer is activated and will warm the evaporator coils which melts and ice or frost that has built up. Any water that has come from the melted ice will then drain away and evaporate. The Willow WTF1700 range of tall freezers are all frost free.

Is automatic defrost the same as frost free?

Yes, automatic defrost is the same as frost free. Different manufacturers will use different terms to describe their appliances. They will have the same kind of technology and neither will require manual defrost. You may also find that some manufacturers label their appliances as 'Total No Frost' - this means that both the fridge and the freezer is frost free. A great example of this is the Willow WSBES4MDB 415L American Style Fridge Freezer. Air is circulated throughout both compartments preventing ice buildup and condensation.

What are low frost freezers?

Low frost freezers are the middle ground between frost free and manual defrost or automatic defrost. They still need to be defrosted manually but far less often than a manual defrost. They work in a way to minimise frost and ice build up with improved air circulation and high quality insulation. The insulation and the door seals are designed to prevent any moist, warm air from entering the freezer which can turn into frost.

If you still have questions regarding freezers or any other household appliances, feel free to contact us. We are always happy to help.