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Freezer
Burn
Frost Buildup
Correct Temp
Routine Maintenance
How full to fill the freezer
Manually Defrosting
Cleaning Condenser Coils
Emptying Drip Pan
Freezer Odors
What
causes Freezer Burn and how can it be avoided?
Freezer
burn is the result of food being exposed to the air in the freezer.
The exposure causes dehydration. Because the wrappings used by supermarkets
don't usually prevent dehydration, it is wise to re-wrap foods in airtight
containers or wraps specifically meant for freezer use. (Although
freezer-burned food is safe for consumption, it is often tasteless and/or
tough).
There
seems to be a lot of frost inside my freezer-is this normal?
If your freezer is not a self-defrosting model,
frost will build up on the interiorl. When the frost is ½"
to 1" thick, you need to manually defrost
it.
What
temperature should my freezer be?
The recommended freezer temperature is between
0°
and 8°
Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that when you
first turn the freezr on, or load it with a lot of food, it may take
up to 24 hours for the freezer to reach the optimal temperature..
Routine
maintenance schedule?
If you have self-defrosting freezer you should occasionally clean
the condenser coils. If your freezer isn't aself-defrosting model,
you will have to defrost it regularly. You can wait until the frost
build up is about 1/2 - 1" thick.
How
full can I pack my freezer?
The fuller the freezer, the better! You should keep the freezer at
least half full, which helps the freezer maintain a constant temperature.
How
to defrost your freezer
If
your freezer is not self defrosting, you will have to manually defrost
it when the frost inside reaches 1/2" to 1" thick. Follow
these steps to safely and easily accomplish this task:
-
Empty the contents of the freezer and keep everything in coolers or wrapped securely in insulated blankets.
-
Either unplug the freezer, or turn the temperature to the warmest setting.
-
When all the frost has melted, clean and dry the inside of the freezer and the gaskets..
-
Turn the temperature back to the proper setting or plug the freezer back in.
- When
the freezer has returned to the proper temperature, (between 0°
and 8° Farenheit), restock the freezer.
Cleaning
the condenser coils
The
condensing coils and cooling fan under self-defrosting freezers need to
be cleaned
at least once a year. (The coils probably resemble a grate or wide radiator).
After unplugging the freezer, use a brush to remove any lint, pet hair,
or dirt from the coils. Refrigerator Condenser Brushes can be purchased
from your local appliance store, and many vacuums now offer attachments
for this purpose as well. After cleaning the coils, plug the freezer back
in.
Emptying
the drip pan on Self Defrosting freezers
Every
8 to 12 hours, self defrosting freezers heat up their cooling coils and
melt any frost that has accumulated. The water drains into a shallow pan
at the bottom of the freezer called a drip pan..
The
pan is designed so that the water will evaporate, so you don't have to
worry about emptying it. However, the pan may begin to smell unpleasant
after a while. Many models allow you
to remove the pan by detaching the lower grill and sliding the pan out
the front of the freezer. Clean the pan with a mild detergent and replace.
(If mold grows in the drain pain, it could be considered to be a health
problem. If you're sensitive to mold, and the drip pan is removable, cleaning
the drain pan periodically is recommended).
Freezer
Odors
If
your freezer develops ordors, the first thing to do is clean the interior
and the gaskets with a mild detergent. If the odor persists, try placing
an open box of baking soda or a freezer/refrigerator deodorizer available
at many appliance stores.