Why Your Freezer Keeps Icing Up — and How to Prevent It From Happening

Persistent ice buildup in your freezer can cause a wide range of problems, from spoiling the taste and texture of your frozen goods through freezer burn, to increased energy consumption and potential damage to the appliance itself.

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Why Is My Freezer Full of Frost or Ice?

Frequently Opening the Freezer Door

Each time you open the freezer door, warm and humid air enters the freezer, disrupting its low-temperature environment. When this warm air comes into contact with the cold surfaces inside, it condenses and freezes, which leads to frost formation.

Bad Door Seal

A well-sealed freezer door plays a vital role in maintaining your freezer’s internal temperature. Over time, door gaskets can become dirty, worn, or damaged and allow warm air to seep in. To test if your door is sealed properly, feel for cold air around the edges. If you can, the seal is compromised in that area and should be replaced. You can also place a flashlight inside the freezer, close the door and look for light shining through any cracks. If you can see light, the seal is bad.

Overfilling or Underfilling Your Freezer

Proper air circulation is critical for maintaining the correct temperature and humidity levels in your freezer, and filling practices can greatly affect this. Both overfilling and underfilling your freezer can lead to ice buildup. When a freezer is packed to capacity, air circulation is hindered. The cold air cannot distribute evenly around the food, and the freezer must work harder to keep everything frozen, which can lead to frost formation. In addition, overfilling can block vents, further restricting airflow and exacerbating the problem.

On the other hand, an empty or significantly underfilled freezer can also contribute to frost buildup. When a freezer is not full, the excess space contains a large volume of air. Each time the freezer door is opened, this air warms up rapidly due to the influx of warmer air from outside. When the door is closed, the freezer works to cool down this air again. During this process, the moisture in the air can condense and freeze, which can lead to frost.

Putting Hot Food in the Freezer

Hot food contains more moisture than cooled or room-temperature food. As the hot food cools in the freezer, it releases this moisture into the air inside the freezer. The moisture condenses on the freezer's walls and surfaces, then it freezes.

Additionally, placing hot items in the freezer raises the overall temperature inside the freezer, making it work harder to bring the temperature back down. When this happens, more moisture from the air may condense and freeze.

Improper Temperature Settings

If your freezer’s temperature is set too low — below -4 degrees Fahrenheit or –20 degrees Celsius — your freezer will have to work harder to maintain this extremely low temperature. This excessive cooling can cause any present moisture to freeze quickly, forming frost.

Conversely, if the temperature is set too high — above 0 degrees F or –18 degrees Celsius — the items inside the freezer may not freeze properly, causing them to release moisture into the freezer's atmosphere. This excess moisture can then condense on the freezer's walls and surfaces, freezing into ice or frost over time.

In some cases, the freezer may be set to the correct temperature, but the actual temperature inside the freezer is outside of the ideal range. This usually means that the thermostat is bad. To determine if this is the case, place a thermometer inside the freezer to verify if the freezer’s internal temperature matches the set temperature. If there's a significant difference between the two, the freezer’s thermostat may be bad, and you should have it professionally replaced.

Auto-Defrost Feature Failure

Many modern freezers come with an auto-defrost feature. When working correctly, it periodically warms the evaporator coils enough to melt any frost that has formed on the evaporator coils. However, if the defrost timer or thermostat fails, the defrost cycle won't initiate, which can lead to frost buildup. If your freezer seems to be in a constant state of defrost or is always icy, a faulty defrost component is likely to blame. If that’s the case, you should have the defrost components inspected and possibly replaced by a professional technician.

Clogged Defrost Drain

Freezers with an auto-defrost feature will also have a defrost drain, typically located in the back of the freezer. It’s responsible for draining away the water that is produced from defrosting the evaporator coils. If the defrost drain becomes clogged or blocked by bits of food or clusters of ice, the water collects on the bottom of the freezer and freezes. Furthermore, each subsequent defrost cycle leads to more water accumulation, worsening the ice buildup over time.

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How Do I Get Rid of Ice Buildup in the Freezer?

To get rid of ice buildup in your freezer, you will need to manually defrost it using the following steps:

Step 1: Unplug and Empty Your Freezer

Unplug the freezer and remove all the food. The defrosting process may take a while, so store the frozen food in a cooler or insulated bags filled with ice. Since your fridge and freezer are likely combined and share a power cord, you will need to remove and store the food in your fridge as well.

Step 2: Protect Your Floor

As the ice melts, it will turn into water. It's a good idea to line the floor with towels or absorbent cloths to soak up the water.

Step 3: Let the Ice Melt

You can either let the ice melt naturally at room temperature (which may take several hours), or you can speed up the process by using a fan to blow air onto the ice.

Step 4: Scrape the Ice

For heavy ice buildup, a plastic scraper can be gently used to chip it away. However, be gentle to avoid damaging the interior surfaces of the freezer - especially the evaporator coils. Never use sharp objects or heat sources like boiling water, as these can damage the various components inside your freezer.

Step 5: Clean the Freezer

Once all the ice has melted, wipe down the inside of the freezer with a sponge or cloth to remove any leftover water and ice. Pay special attention to the defrost drain (if equipped) and the door seals. This is also a good opportunity to clean the freezer with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. Once you’re done cleaning, dry the inside surfaces thoroughly to prevent more ice from forming when you turn the freezer back on.

Step 6: Restore Power

Plug the freezer’s power cord back in and wait for it to reach its operating temperature. This usually takes a few hours.

Step 7: Restock Your Freezer

Place the food back into the freezer. If any food has thawed and cannot be safely refrozen, it’s best to discard it to prevent any potential health risks.

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What Are Some Ways to Keep Ice From Taking Over Your Freezer?

There are several steps you can take to prevent ice and frost formation in your freezer. Doing so will keep your frozen foods fresh and maximize the longevity of your freezer.

• Regularly check, clean and replace the door seals to keep the warm air out. Also, try to limit the frequency and duration of door openings.
• Keep the freezer at the recommended temperature setting, usually between 0 and -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a thermometer in the freezer and periodically check it to verify that it matches the setting on your thermostat.
• Avoid overfilling or underfilling the freezer, aiming to keep it between one-half to three-quarters of the way full. If you don't have enough food to fill the freezer to that level, consider using freezer-safe containers filled with water to take up the excess space.
• When it comes to storing the food, airtight packaging is ideal. This limits the release of moisture that can add to frost formation. When packaging hot food, allow it to cool down to room temperature before adding it to the freezer.
• Consider regular manual defrosting, even if your freezer has an auto-defrost feature. This could be every three to six months, depending on frost buildup. Anti-frost mats or liners can also be a good investment to keep frost at bay.