The information provided with our RV refrigerator/freezer does not provide instructions on how to defrost the freezer.
I need to do this and I am looking for information on the most logical way to perform this task. Can I use a hair dryer? I do not want to damage the unit in any way but I am HOPING there is a way to defrost the freezer without it taking all day. Yes, I know I am impatient.
Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.
Susan
igotjam said
09:14 AM Nov 2, 2016
With my old rv fridge (now have a residential fridge....so much better) I used plain fan, and hair dryer on occasion without problems.
laurly said
09:28 AM Nov 2, 2016
We have defrosted ours in less than 15 minutes every time we do it. We unload one half of the freezer at a time, put a small towel in the bottom, put the hair dryer on, and blow away :) It's just enough to loosen the ice/frost from the wall, and it pulls right off. It may take a bit more dryer heat. We're very, VERY, careful not to put the dryer too close to the wall of the freezer. Never had a problem.
NWescapee said
10:15 AM Nov 2, 2016
Almost always use the blow drier, just don't get it too close to the ice maker. Originally I tried to just let it slowly defrost with the doors open, but I found the overall fridge temperature went way up and it took a full day to cool down to it's pre-defrost temp and the freezer took at least 1/2 day to freeze again. Using the blow drier usually results in the freezer being ready to use again within about 3 hours.
Second Chance said
02:31 PM Nov 2, 2016
Like Laurie and George, I use a hair dryer. We carry a portable cooler for other stuff, anyway, so I just unload the freezer compartments into that, turn off the frig/freezer, and use the blow dryer - done in 10 or 15 minutes and the frig temp doesn't drop.
Rob
Judy L said
07:50 AM Nov 3, 2016
I use a hair dryer to help defrost but am careful not to leave it focused in one area for more that a few seconds. I've read that it can damage the plastic walls.
We have a side-by-side refrigerator so I usually defrost the refrigerator section one night and the freezer the next night. That way I can temporarily place more sensitive items (lunchmeat, leftovers, etc.) in the freezer to help keep them cool while the refrigerator recovers.. When doing the freezer I generally make sure that we've used up all ice cream or items that might melt before starting and then put frozen items in the refrigerator with ice packs around them to help keep them from thawing too much. If I defrost just after dinner and turn the temperature setting to 5, it generally recovers enough by the time we go to bed that I turn it back down to 3 and return everything to its normal location.
Hogladyrider said
02:05 PM Nov 3, 2016
Thanks to all who responded.
I will be giving it a try and report how it goes! I have been letting our freezer stock dwindle down so now is the time to tackle the job.
Susan
Hogladyrider said
05:16 PM Nov 3, 2016
Success!
Decided there was no time like the present to tackle this task......so this evening after our exercise I defrosted the freezer.
We have an 18 cu double door and since this is the first time I have defrosted and we purchased the RV in April the frost was pretty thick.
Took about a total of 20 minutes!
My reasoning for defrosting tonite was to allow the unit over nite to recover. I will check the temperature in the freezer before I head to bed around 11 pm.
Thanks again to all, now I know this task is nothing to be afraid of I will make a note of when I performed this task and how often it needs to be done.
Nothing like the forums for help from good people!
Susan
tibbar said
08:49 PM Nov 17, 2016
I do it way different than the above posters. I boil a pot of water and set it on a towel in the bottom of the freezer and close the door. Doesn't take long and the ice/frost is melted and I soak up the water with the towel.
-- Edited by tibbar on Thursday 17th of November 2016 08:50:29 PM
Dave and Denise said
12:53 PM Nov 21, 2016
Perhaps this may sound odd, but why do you have to defrost the freezer? We do get some buildup occasionally, but our manual says that is normal. Does it get to the point where the frost build up is excessive or is it because you want to clean the freezer?
Hogladyrider said
02:16 PM Nov 21, 2016
We'd lived in the RV for 8 months and it was in my opinion excessive. In fact I will watch it and NOT let it get to that point any time in the future.
The information provided with our RV refrigerator/freezer does not provide instructions on how to defrost the freezer.
I need to do this and I am looking for information on the most logical way to perform this task. Can I use a hair dryer? I do not want to damage the unit in any way but I am HOPING there is a way to defrost the freezer without it taking all day. Yes, I know I am impatient.
Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.
Susan
Rob
I use a hair dryer to help defrost but am careful not to leave it focused in one area for more that a few seconds. I've read that it can damage the plastic walls.
We have a side-by-side refrigerator so I usually defrost the refrigerator section one night and the freezer the next night. That way I can temporarily place more sensitive items (lunchmeat, leftovers, etc.) in the freezer to help keep them cool while the refrigerator recovers.. When doing the freezer I generally make sure that we've used up all ice cream or items that might melt before starting and then put frozen items in the refrigerator with ice packs around them to help keep them from thawing too much. If I defrost just after dinner and turn the temperature setting to 5, it generally recovers enough by the time we go to bed that I turn it back down to 3 and return everything to its normal location.
I will be giving it a try and report how it goes! I have been letting our freezer stock dwindle down so now is the time to tackle the job.
Susan
Decided there was no time like the present to tackle this task......so this evening after our exercise I defrosted the freezer.
We have an 18 cu double door and since this is the first time I have defrosted and we purchased the RV in April the frost was pretty thick.
Took about a total of 20 minutes!
My reasoning for defrosting tonite was to allow the unit over nite to recover. I will check the temperature in the freezer before I head to bed around 11 pm.
Thanks again to all, now I know this task is nothing to be afraid of I will make a note of when I performed this task and how often it needs to be done.
Nothing like the forums for help from good people!
Susan
I do it way different than the above posters. I boil a pot of water and set it on a towel in the bottom of the freezer and close the door. Doesn't take long and the ice/frost is melted and I soak up the water with the towel.
-- Edited by tibbar on Thursday 17th of November 2016 08:50:29 PM
Susan