By regularly de-icing your appliance it will help to operate on an optimal energy consupmption levels. You can do this by using a proprietary freezer cleaner, or just as easy wipe over with a solution of water and bicarbonate of soda – 1 tablespoon of bicarb to 1 litre of water.

The safest way to defrost your freezer (for both you and your freezer) is to let it defrost on its own once you’ve turned it off.Another benefit that you can gain from defrosting your freezer is that it gives you the chance to check the contents. The easiest way of defrosting your freezer is by just unplugging it, propping open the door and letting the ice melt naturally. If you notice more frost building up than usual, and you know you’re closing the freezer door as soon as you’ve popped food in or taken it out, it’s worth checking your freezer seal.

DO NOT use a knife, as this might damage the freezer walls and you could injure yourself if the knife slips.Get into all those nooks and crannies with soapy water to remove any dirt or food that has collected. The powder effectively removes the grease, food and soap deposits on the drains, filters and rubber seals, leaving your dishwasher smelling delightfully fresh, and functioning smoothly for a . I followed the instructions as regards spraying it on the the ice, but I'd also read somewhere that if you put a fan pointing in to the freezer, it's good for speeding up the defrosting process. If you can’t easily reach the plug to unplug the freezer, or if you have a fridge-freezer model, you can turn down the freezer section’s adjustable thermostats, if it has them, and leave the freezer section door open, then apply any of the defrosting methods outlined above. Before taking anything out of the freezer, put on your washing-up gloves to prevent getting an ice burn.

Risking damage to your freezer (or yourself) by hacking at the ice with a sharp knife should also be avoided.

However, individual models of freezers and fridge-freezers may have different components, so the manufacturer guidelines will set out when they recommend that you should defrost your freezer. DO NOT, however, use car windscreen de-icer to defrost your freezer, as the contents are not safe for use with food. Refrigerators and freezers work by continuously evaporating and condensing a refrigerant gas along the pipes embedded inside them.

It delivers a stream of superheated steam exactly where it’s needed, making it perfect for defrosting and cleaning a freezer. Make sure to be extra careful if using an electrical solution as you should not mix electricity and water. Most harmful bacteria will grow at temperatures above 8°C and below 63°C; this is known as the “ Danger Zone” for microbial growth.

This defroster spray also plays a crucial role in preventing damage to the freezer pipes caused by the accumulation of frost. Choosing a freezing cold winter day for your defrost is ideal as you can place the food into a cool box, cool bag or even a large plastic lidded container and leave it outside until you are finished.