The best way to handle freezer frost buildup is to prevent it from happening entirely. Learn how to keep your refrigerator running efficiently in this article.

Frost buildup in your freezer is never a good sign. It can compromise the taste of your food and make it harder to defrost items for consumption. It could also indicate that your freezer is wasting energy. Instead of unplugging your freezer and letting it slowly defrost, there are quicker ways to handle the frost and avoid appliance repair. 

Our guide explains why frost forms in freezers, why you should deal with it quickly, and how you can prevent and fix ice buildup in your freezer.

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Why Does Frost Form in Freezers?

Freezer frost results from frozen moisture accumulated on your appliance’s interior walls and shelves. Freezer frost happens when moisture comes into contact with the evaporator coils inside your freezer and then freezes up. 

Several different events can cause freezer frost buildup. Freezer frost can happen if you leave the freezer door open for too long or if your freezer develops a warm or damaged gasket, which lets cold air out and warm air in. Placing hot, warm, or wet food in the freezer can also lead to freezer frost. The hot food causes humidity, which produces frost buildup in the appliance. Though counterintuitive, freezer defrost systems—designed to remove excess frost before it becomes a problem—can become another source of frost buildup if they break or malfunction. 

While these are the most common causes, other things like broken defrost timers, a broken door seal, and malfunctioning heaters can also cause high humidity and frost buildup. If you notice frost in your freezer, act quickly. Don’t let the ice buildup sit in your freezer for too long, as it can compromise food, causing freezer burn and forcing your appliance to burn extra energy to make up for the excess ice crystals. You can handle some of these issues yourself, but you’ll likely need a licensed professional to address others, such as a damaged gasket. Don’t try to troubleshoot a mechanical issue on your own unless you have experience, and always unplug any kitchen appliance before looking at wires or internal parts.

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Impacts of Frost in Your Freezer

Freezer frost can cause many issues, including the following:

Reduction in Food Quality

The most notable impact of freezer frost is a phenomenon known as freezer burn, in which crystals form on your frozen food and give it a foul taste. Food with freezer burn might appear shriveled or discolored in spots. Freezer-burnt foods often taste and smell unappetizing and might be tough to chew. This is especially apparent in fresh foods, like fruits and vegetables. Freezer burn can affect processed foods such as frozen chicken nuggets or fries, too, but the impact is minimal. While there’s no inherent safety risk to eating freezer-burnt foods, the freezer burn will affect the overall quality of the food.

Ice buildup also takes up freezer space. This can make storing all your purchased food challenging, forcing you to find places for frozen items in your refrigerator where it may go bad faster. 

Reduction in Freezer Efficiency

Your freezer will likely not run as efficiently with ice buildup. The appliance will be working hard to maintain a balanced temperature and could struggle to keep up with the excess ice. This might mean your freezer could have a shorter life span than it would without frost buildup. Freezer frost can also damage the appliance and cause food to spoil.

A freezer running harder than it should will burn more energy than one that doesn’t have frost buildup. You might notice the energy consumption on your monthly utility bills; frost buildup can become a very expensive problem if you don’t handle it quickly.

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Preventing Frost Buildup in Your Freezer

The best way to avoid freezer-burnt food and damage to your appliance is to prevent freezer burn in the first place. Avoid opening your freezer door for longer than necessary to manage airflow and prevent too much warm, moist air from entering the cold environment. This also helps your freezer maintain a set temperature at all times. Only open the door when necessary, and try to figure out exactly what you need from the appliance before opening it. This can also help you organize your freezer—if you organize your freezer’s contents, you’ll have an easier time grabbing what you need, reducing the time you stand there with the door open.

Avoid putting hot or wet foods into your freezer. Hot or warm foods trigger frost development due to the humidity. Always cool foods on the countertop before moving them to the freezer for storage. You can also chill the food in the refrigerator before placing it in the freezer if you’re uncomfortable letting it sit out.

Regular maintenance can also prevent ice buildup. Deep clean your freezer at least once per year, or more often if you use it a lot. Remove detachable drawers and shelves and wash them with soap and water. Ensure that they are dry before putting them back in the freezer. Clean the condenser coils as well since dust and dirt often accumulate around these parts.

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Fixing Frost Buildup in Your Freezer

If you are dealing with frost buildup in your freezer, you can hire a professional or fix it yourself. Fixing frost buildup is time-consuming but simple. Here’s how you can defrost a freezer on your own and remove frost buildup:

1. Prepare your freezer for defrosting. Remove all the food from the freezer and place it in a cooler or second freezer if you have one. If you have time to plan, try to eat as much of your frozen stash as possible in the days and weeks leading up to the defrost.
2. Once all the food is out, turn off the freezer and remove all the removable parts, such as shelves, drawers, and trays. You might discover that some parts are too covered in ice to remove. If this is the case, wait for those parts to defrost before trying to remove them since excessive force could cause them to break.
3. Pile old towels and blankets around the base of the freezer to capture dripping water. While you can wait for the ice to melt on its own, most homeowners opt to help it along by using a blow-dryer to blow hot air directly on the ice. Move the blow dryer around as you use it so you don’t overheat any part of your freezer. You can also place bowls of hot water into the freezer. The steam from the water will melt the ice. Be careful when handling hot water and wear safety gloves if you attempt this method.
4. As the ice melts, gently break it into pieces and remove it. Avoid metal tools, as those could damage the inside of your freezer. As you do this, be aware of the water on the ground and avoid sudden movements that could cause you to trip or lose balance.
5. After you have removed the ice and cleaned the freezer, you can start reassembling the appliance. Make sure the back of the freezer is frost-free and completely dry because ice will accumulate faster in areas with excess moisture.

Once you have reassembled your freezer, turn it on and allow it to reach the temperature of your choice before placing any food inside. If you feel uncomfortable with any part of the process, enlist help. You can ask a friend or relative to help or hire a home improvement expert or contractor. A professional can help defrost your freezer for you and troubleshoot any potential causes of ice buildup. If you have a freezer or refrigerator warranty that might cover the cost of the damaged or broken part, a contractor can help you initiate the process.

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Our Conclusion

Frost in your freezer is a nuisance. It can lead to freezer-burnt and unappetizing food, reduced appliance efficiency, and many other issues. Placing hot food in the freezer, leaving the freezer door open for too long, or a malfunctioning part—such as a gasket— can all cause excessive freezer ice buildup. A professional can diagnose the exact cause of your freezer frost.

The best way to deal with freezer frost buildup is to prevent it from happening entirely. Keep your freezer at a consistent temperature, avoid placing hot or wet food inside, and perform routine maintenance on your appliance. If you have ice crystals in your freezer, you can defrost it yourself by following the steps outlined above. 
Defrosting isn’t complicated, but it can be time-consuming. Allow yourself plenty of time for this task, ensure you have towels and blankets to soak up the leaking water, and exercise caution when handling hot water or ice crystals. While freezer frost is a common problem, you’ll be able to keep your freezer running at peak capacity for years to come with some routine maintenance.

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FAQ About Frost in Your Freezer

Why does my freezer have frost all of a sudden?

If your freezer suddenly develops frost, you should act quickly before it overtakes your freezer. Temperature inconsistency, a broken or damaged part, or hot food can all cause freezer ice buildup.

How do you fix frost in a freezer?

To fix frost in a freezer, you can defrost it on your own or hire a professional to defrost it for you. To defrost your freezer, remove all the food and store it in a second freezer or large cooler. Thoroughly clean your freezer and start melting the ice with a blow dryer. Do this carefully, and place plenty of towels around the base of the freezer to catch the melting ice. Once your freezer is clean and frost-free, you can plug it in, wait for it to return to a consistent temperature, and replace the food.

Is frost in the freezer okay?

Frost in your freezer is an issue that you should resolve as quickly as possible. Ice crystals or frost in the freezer can cause issues with food quality, including freezer burn, and lead to problems with appliance efficiency.

Will frost in the freezer go away on its own?

Frost in the freezer rarely goes away on its own. Once you find ice crystals in your freezer, they will likely get larger until your appliance is full of large swaths of ice. It’s important to defrost your freezer quickly to eliminate the excessive ice.

What causes excessive frost in a freezer?

Excessive frost in a freezer has many potential causes. Leaving the freezer door open for too long, placing hot food in the freezer, or a malfunctioning part can all cause frost buildup. If you realize your freezer has ice buildup, contact a general contractor or start the defrosting process as quickly as possible.

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