How to Defrost Your Fridge Freezer and When to Do It
Posted by By Appliances Delivered on 6th Aug 2026
Ice build-up in your fridge freezer can take up valuable storage space, make drawers difficult to open and force your appliance to work harder than it should. Thankfully, defrosting it is a straightforward job.
In this guide, Appliances Delivered explains how to defrost your fridge freezer safely, how often it should be done and how to reduce future ice build-up.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following:
- A cool box or insulated cool bags
- Old towels
- A bowl of hot water
- A sponge or soft cloth
- A washing-up bowl or container to collect water
- A plastic spatula or scraper
Never use a knife, screwdriver or other sharp object to remove ice, as this could damage the appliance or puncture its cooling system.
How to Defrost a Fridge Freezer
1. Switch Off the Appliance
Turn your fridge freezer off at the wall and unplug it before you begin.
2. Remove the Food
Transfer chilled and frozen food into a cool box or insulated bags. Add ice packs where possible to help keep everything at a safe temperature.
This is also a good opportunity to check use-by dates and dispose of anything that is no longer needed.
3. Remove the Shelves and Drawers
Take out any removable shelves, drawers and compartments. Allow frozen drawers to loosen naturally rather than forcing them out.
4. Protect the Floor
Place old towels around the base of the appliance to absorb melting water. You may also want to position a shallow tray or washing-up bowl underneath the drainage point, if your model has one.
5. Leave the Doors Open
Prop the fridge and freezer doors open and allow the ice to melt naturally.
To speed up the process, place a bowl of hot—but not boiling—water inside the freezer compartment. Close the door for a short time to trap the steam, checking and replacing the water as it cools.
Do not pour hot water directly onto the ice and avoid using hairdryers or other electrical appliances near melting water.
6. Remove Loosened Ice
As the ice begins to soften, carefully remove loose pieces with a plastic spatula or scraper. Never force the ice away from the walls.
7. Clean and Dry the Interior
Once all the ice has melted, wipe the inside with warm water and a small amount of washing-up liquid. A diluted solution of white vinegar and water can also help remove lingering odours.
Dry the interior, shelves and drawers thoroughly before putting everything back.
8. Switch It Back On
Plug the appliance back in and allow it to return to the correct temperature before replacing your food.
Your fridge should be between 0°C and 5°C, while your freezer should reach approximately −18°C. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance specific to your model.
How Long Does Defrosting Take?
Defrosting a fridge freezer can take several hours, depending on the amount of ice present. A heavily iced-up freezer may take between 6 and 12 hours, so it is often best to start early in the day or plan ahead.
Using bowls of hot water can help speed things up, but the ice should always be allowed to loosen naturally.
When Should You Defrost a Fridge Freezer?
A manual-defrost fridge freezer should usually be defrosted once or twice a year. You should also defrost it when the ice becomes approximately 5–6mm thick or begins to interfere with drawers, shelves or the door.
Some modern fridge freezers have frost-free technology and should not require routine manual defrosting. However, unusual ice build-up in a frost-free model could indicate a blocked vent, damaged door seal or another fault.
Always check the appliance manual before beginning.
What Happens If You Don’t Defrost It?
Allowing ice to continue building up can:
- Reduce the amount of usable storage space
- Make drawers and shelves difficult to access
- Prevent the door from closing properly
- Cause uneven temperatures
- Make the appliance work harder
- Increase energy consumption
- Affect how well your food is stored
Regular defrosting and cleaning can help your fridge freezer operate more efficiently and extend its working life.
How to Prevent Ice Build-Up
A few simple habits can help reduce the amount of ice inside your appliance:
- Check that the door seals are clean and undamaged
- Make sure the door closes fully after every use
- Avoid leaving the door open for long periods
- Allow hot food to cool before putting it inside
- Do not overfill the appliance or block its air vents
- Keep food properly covered
- Check that the temperature is set correctly
If ice quickly returns after defrosting, inspect the door seal or arrange for the appliance to be checked.
How to Defrost a Chest Freezer
The same general steps apply when defrosting a chest freezer:
- Switch it off and unplug it.
- Transfer the food into a cool box or insulated bags.
- Place towels around the base to catch melting water.
- Open the lid and allow the ice to melt.
- Use bowls of hot—not boiling—water to speed up the process.
- Carefully remove loose ice with a plastic spatula.
- Clean and thoroughly dry the interior.
- Plug the freezer back in and allow it to reach approximately −18°C before returning the food.
If your chest freezer has a drainage plug, position a suitable container underneath it before allowing the water to drain.
Make Defrosting Easier with a Frost-Free Fridge Freezer
If you would prefer to spend less time dealing with ice, consider choosing a frost-free fridge freezer. Frost-free technology circulates dry air throughout the freezer compartment to help prevent ice from building up, making everyday maintenance much easier.
Explore the latest fridge freezers available from Appliances Delivered, with options to suit every kitchen, household and budget.