How to defrost a freezer quickly

[ray66v]

Heat gun. :thumbsup:

 

[merrickvilleguy]

I just let time do its thing, cheaper that way

 

[schmism]

I use a box fan to blow more room air into the freezer so it moves more air around.

for the thick chunks i try to break off (by hand no tools), and will hit trouble spots with a hair dryer.

 

[Oldstuff]

I am with Schmism- I have been using a fan for 30 years. Empty and unplug freezer, sit a 20 inch box fan in the bottom and with in 5 minutes BIG chunks will start to fall. Very little prying is needed.

Oldstuff

 

[Pilot]

Heat gun, hair dryer, sure, except when the water drips on it as you stand in the puddle created by the melting ice. Could be exciting.

OTOH, if you want to use one of those, how about using some sort of tube to extend the barrel so you can hold the heat gun outside the freezer and not get water dripping on it? Or maybe wrapping the appliance in something that would protect it from the water, with just the barrel exposed?

 

[MossRoad]

Heat gun, hair dryer, sure, except when the water drips on it as you stand in the puddle created by the melting ice. Could be exciting.

OTOH, if you want to use one of those, how about using some sort of tube to extend the barrel so you can hold the heat gun outside the freezer and not get water dripping on it? Or maybe wrapping the appliance in something that would protect it from the water, with just the barrel exposed?

Sounds like a leaf blower, small jet engine from an auxiliary power unit, lots of duct tape and Tim Taylor should be involved. :laughing:

 

[ray66v]

Heat gun, hair dryer, sure, except when the water drips on it as you stand in the puddle created by the melting ice. Could be exciting.

OTOH, if you want to use one of those, how about using some sort of tube to extend the barrel so you can hold the heat gun outside the freezer and not get water dripping on it? Or maybe wrapping the appliance in something that would protect it from the water, with just the barrel exposed?

Having used a heat gun dozens of time for this task, I can tell you if you know what your doing, like anything else, there is no problem.

Like any power tool, you need to posses the ability to use it, before taking it on a job.

Did you know, people use hair driers while soaking wet, and standing in a puddle of water everyday?

Plastic heat guns are double insulated, and metal ones are grounded.

It's about a 5 minute job with a heat gun, not much time to start a flood.

If you drip some water on a hot heat gun, it simply vaporizes. No big deal.

Someone who is inclined to do such a slow, and sloppy job, that their standing in a puddle of water defrosting a freer, should leave this job to someone else.

Besides, you can also burn yourself, or melt something other than ice, anyway.

Any kind of extension would be in danger of combusting, if made of combustible material, potentially burning you, if made of metal. And, will likely overheat the appliance, shutting it down via the thermal overload anyway.

 

[clemsonfor]

Or you could just defrost on an 80+ degree day in the summer. I guess this does not work if you freezer is way in the house, but then again you have to deal with all the water pans i just pull mine to the door and let it drip out of it.

 

[tallyho8]

Owning a refrigeration shop for 38 years I have discovered the very fastest way to defrost a freezer. Please note: this is not for frost-free freezers which do not need defrosting unless they are broken.

Remove everything from the freezer and put it in an ice chest.
Since most freezers are in garages it is very simple to roll them out into the driveway.
Open the freezer door and put a 2x4 under the rear so that it leans forward slightly.
Turn on the garden hose, without the nozzle and run the water over the ice.
Since most freezers usually need cleaning every year, you are able to clean your freezer and defrost it at the same time.
Running water will defrost the ice much faster than fans, heat guns or propane torches and it is much safer.
Dry the inside out, put the freezer back in place and restock it. :thumbsup:

 

[hawkeye08]

Owning a refrigeration shop for 38 years I have discovered the very fastest way to defrost a freezer. Please note: this is not for frost-free freezers which do not need defrosting unless they are broken.

Remove everything from the freezer and put it in an ice chest.
Since most freezers are in garages it is very simple to roll them out into the driveway.
Open the freezer door and put a 2x4 under the rear so that it leans forward slightly.
Turn on the garden hose, without the nozzle and run the water over the ice.
Since most freezers usually need cleaning every year, you are able to clean your freezer and defrost it at the same time.
Running water will defrost the ice much faster than fans, heat guns or propane torches and it is much safer.
Dry the inside out, put the freezer back in place and restock it. :thumbsup:

Good plan, now if I can remember that in 3 years when we defrost the freezer again...