Run a Freezer Efficiently

• 1). Start by inspecting the inside of your freezer for frost buildup. If the frost has built up to a quarter of an inch thick, it is time to defrost the freezer. This will ensure it runs as efficiently as possible. It is best to check for frost buildup when the stock of food in the freezer is nearly depleted. Most freezers will need to be defrosted 1 to 2 times a year.
  
  
• 2). Remove all of the food from the freezer. It is smart to keep a cooler filled with ice and a trash can next to you while doing this. Go through all of the food and sort out the good from the bad. If the food is old, freezer burnt or not packaged very well, you should throw it away. If the food looks good or has not yet expired, put it into the cooler to keep it cold while you defrost the freezer.
  
  
• 3). Unplug the freezer after removing all of the food. If you own an upright model freezer, you should place some towels into the bottom of it to catch melting ice. You can also use a baking pan or drip pan.
  
  
• 4). Allow the frost to melt. This can take a few hours. If you would like to hurry the process along, you can place a pot holder into the freezer and place a pot of boiling water on top of it. You could also use a hair blow dryer to melt the frost faster. If you use the blow dryer method, make sure that you keep it moving so that the heat doesn't get concentrated in one area. NEVER pry off any ice because that could damage the walls of your freezer.
  
  
• 5). Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove any water or ice debris left after the freezer has defrosted. This will remove any excess moisture from the freezer.
  
  
• 6). Pour one quart of warm water and two tablespoons of baking soda into the dish tub. Dampen a cloth in the mixture and wipe down all surfaces (top, bottom and sides) with the cloth. Rinse out the cloth when you've finished wiping all surfaces. Dump the water out of the dish tub and refill the tub with clean warm water. Dampen the cloth again and wipe down all surfaces once more. Use a dry towel to dry all surfaces in the freezer.
  
  
• 7). Plug the freezer back in and allow it to run for an hour before replacing any of the food.
  
  
• 8). Check the seal on the freezer door. You should check the seal on the refrigerator door as well. Close the door onto a piece of paper. Now try to remove the paper. If the paper slides out easily, then it means your seal is worn and probably needs to be replaced. This will help ensure your freezer is running as efficiently as possible.
  
  
• 9). Always close the freezer door immediately after removing something. This helps to avoid wasted energy.