It is shaped like a valve or funnel and is very practical, but manufacturers rarely explain its use.
Have you ever noticed that your freezer has a valve or funnel at the bottom? It is actually a very handy tool for defrosting your freezer. How do you use it? To defrost your appliance, empty all the drawers, open the door, and then unplug the appliance to stop it from working. At this point, some people leave the freezer inside to let the water melt. This is where the valve or funnel comes in. It should be opened or removed when you start defrosting. Its location and appearance vary depending on the freezer model, so you can look for it yourself or consult the manual. Once you have removed the drawers, it should be visible without any problems.
Place a container underneath it. A baking sheet is ideal because it can be placed partially under the freezer. However, protect the freezer threshold with a towel to prevent water from spreading on the floor of the room. When all the ice has melted, wash the inside of the freezer with dish soap and replace the drawers. Once everything is completely dry, plug the appliance back in. You have now effectively defrosted your freezer and prepared it for the months to come.
Why should I defrost my freezer? Are your freezer drawers not closing properly and have you noticed a thick layer of ice on the walls? It’s time to defrost your appliance. We usually do it when something bothers us, but it should be done at least once every three months. Appliances without ice use less electricity and rarely break down. Less energy means lower bills and, believe us, a freezer uses a lot of electricity. Plus, food in a clean appliance spoils much less and tastes much better. If it’s been a while since you last defrosted, that’s a sign you need to think about it.
However, not all freezers are the same. Before you start cleaning, check whether your appliance has a “No Frost” function. Most newer appliances have this function, which means you don’t have to do anything: they are designed to prevent ice from forming. However, if you have an older appliance, you will need to defrost it from time to time.
