Modern deep freezers are budget-savers and virtually maintenance-free. Those clunky old frost-covered freezers from grandpa’s garage are no longer a thing. If you have a “manual defrost” deep freezer, don’t worry that you’ll have to chip away at ice chunks over the course of summer day. It’s an easy task that barely requires any elbow grease. And if you have an actual “frost-free” deep freezer, it’s true that you won’t ever have to defrost it! (It’s programmed by the manufacturer to defrost itself as-needed.) Let’s get to what you do need to do to take care of your deep freezer.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: It’s important to refer to the maintenance and care manual that was delivered with your deep freezer before starting a cleaning and/or defrosting process. Appliance controls and instructions can vary. Aaron’s customers are welcome to ask product-related questions by calling our customer service hotline at 1-800-950-7368 or by submitting this online form.
Maintaining the Interior of Your Manual Defrost Freezer
A manual defrost freezer needs to be defrosted about twice per year. Before you begin, a total defrosting requires the frozen food items inside to be transferred into another freezer or placed into insulated storage containers temporarily so they don’t thaw during the process below.
Step 1. Start defrosting.
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Turn the temperature all the way left to COLD and then unplug the freezer.
Step 2. Empty freezer.
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Remove food items and store as needed for the duration of cleaning.
Step 3. Prepare for draining.
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Find the drain plug on the exterior of the freezer and place a tray beneath it for collecting water.
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Pull out the drain plug until the drain hole shows.
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Turn the plug so the drain hole is facing down into the tray.
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Find and remove the interior drain plug to allow water to flow out into the tray.
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To speed up defrosting, you may set pans of 120°F tap water inside with the door open.
Step 5. Clean the interior.
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For safety, unplug the freezer or turn it off for the duration of your cleaning session.
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Using a mixture of baking soda and water, dampen a clean sponge or cloth and wring out any excess moisture.
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Wipe around all inside switches, controls, lights, shelving guides, and any plastic parts like the gaskets around the door.
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Use the same mixture to wipe down the sides once they are frost-free.
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Use a clean dry cloth to wipe everything dry.
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Don’t use any abrasive cleaners or cloths.
Step 5. Return to use.
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Replace drain plugs.
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Plug in freezer and reset the temperature.
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Return the food to the freezer.
Maintaining the Interior of Your Frost-Free Deep Freezer
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The only thing a frost-free freezer needs from you is a thorough cleaning twice a year. Here are the instructions:
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For safety, unplug the freezer or turn it off for the duration of your cleaning session.
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Using a mixture of baking soda and water, dampen a clean sponge or cloth and wring out any excess moisture. Don’t use any abrasive cleaners or cloths.
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Wipe around all inside switches, controls, lights, and any plastic parts like the gaskets around the door.
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Wipe down bins, baskets, or shelves. Do not put these into a dishwasher.
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Use the same mixture to wipe down the sides.
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Use a clean dry cloth to wipe everything dry.
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Plug in the freezer and reset to the original temperature.
Bonus Tips
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Place your deep freezer in the coolest place possible and definitely away from heating ducts or sunlight.
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Keep foods from spoiling and keep the compressor working effectively by allowing foods to cool completely before placing them in deep freeze.
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Reduce frost build up by making sure all food items are wrapped thoroughly and that their exteriors are completely dry before placing them in the freezer.
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Between cleanings, place an open box of baking soda inside the freezer to keep foods fresh and the freezer odor-free. Be sure to replace the box about every three months.
Maintenance Problems?
Don’t forget! If you are renting to own a deep freezer from Aaron’s and it isn’t working properly, you can ask your serving store for assistance. Service and repair benefits are included in your rent to own agreement!
