There is no need getting into a bunch about how to defrost a Lec fridge freezer. This article shows how to do it smoothly.
Table of Contents
How to Defrost a Lec Fridge Freezer
To defrost a Lec fridge freezer, it is important to take the following steps:
1. Switch Off the Unit
Switch the unit off by unplugging it from the wall socket or turning off the circuit breaker for that part of the house. This is the first safety step for any work to be done on electrical appliances.
2. Empty the Unit
Remove the contents of the freezer and fridge sections. To preserve food items, store them in a freezer if there is any or a well-insulated cooler.
But if you use a cooler, be sure to wrap the food in paper and place ice packs inside the cooler to preserve the coolness for long.
3. Start the Defrost Process
With the doors of the unit open, put thick rags or towels around the front bottom of the unit to collect water from the melting ice. If it is possible, place a pan close to the edge to catch water. But most times, the towels suffice.
If you would rather not wait for 24 to 48 hours for all the ice to melt, you can speed things up. Take one or two bowls of hot water and put them into the freezer. The steam from the hot water will cause the ice to drop in chunks and melt much faster.
While the ice is melting, you can remove chunks so that they don’t drop into the freezer and take forever to melt.
In addition, you can use a plastic scraper or spatula to scrape off loose or soft ice as it melts. This is another way to speed things up. As the ice drops, you scoop it and dispose of it. Avoid using any metal or sharp object to remove ice because it could damage the unit.
Additionally, using a fan works in speeding things up. Place a fan in front of the unit and turn it on so that it blows directly into the freezer. This is a way of pushing a lot of air into the unit at the same time.
However, if this is to work, the air must be warm. Otherwise, it would be futile. So, if the weather is not warm, it may not work. But you have the option of turning on the heater, letting the air grow warm and using the fan for this purpose.
4. Finish the Defrost Process
When all the ice melts, clean the unit thoroughly. Use soap and warm water to clean the interior and exterior of the unit, as well as the shelves and racks. Don’t use any harsh or abrasive soap.
Then, dry everything with a dry cloth or towel so that no moisture remains. Give the unit some time to air dry completely.
Clean up any spilt water and empty the pan. Dry out the used towels and be sure there is no puddle of water under the unit.
5. Switch On the Unit
As soon as it dries, plug the unit back into the wall socket. If you turned off the circuit breaker, turn it back on to restore power to the unit. Then, allow some hours for the unit to cool considerably enough to store food in again.
For a Lec Chest Freezer…
The process of defrosting it is almost the same. The difference is how to drain the water. Usually, there is a drain valve in the bottom front of the freezer. Open it and place a pan to collect the draining water as the ice melts.
What this means is that you will have to make several trips to empty the pan so that it does not overflow.
To avoid the hassle of several trips, you can attach a hose to the mouth of the valve and channel it into a bucket. This way, the water goes into the bucket and you don’t have to make several trips to empty it.
Note: To make the cleaning of the unit a seamless process, you can remove racks and shelves before starting the defrost process. This way, all the ice in nooks and crannies can melt easily. And wiping moisture after the defrost process won’t be too tedious.
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How Does a Lec Fridge Freezer Auto Defrost?
A Lec fridge freezer auto defrosts much the same way as other fridge freezers do. When the cooling or evaporator coils cool to a certain level, the defrost thermostat senses their temperature and allows the defrost heater to turn on to melt any accumulated frost or ice on them.
This runs for about 25 to 30 minutes, depending on the model, and this is timed by the defrost timer. As the ice melts, the water formed from it drains through a durian hole in the freezer and runs through the pipe into a drain pan underneath the unit.
Then, the water is evaporated from the drain pan so that it does not overflow or freeze there. The cycle usually happens 1 to 4 times a day for every six, eight, ten, twelve or twenty-four hours of compressor run-time, depending on the model.
Here is a video explaining the difference between an automatic defrost process and a manual defrost process…
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Recap
While it is pretty easy to defrost a Lec fridge freezer, you have to be careful not to defrost too often. When the ice level is up to 7mm, you need to defrost the freezer.
But if your unit is frost-free, there is no need to defrost it manually. Frost-free units don’t have frost buildup and even if there is ice, there is usually an automatic defrost system.
However, if you constantly need to defrost your freezer, there is something wrong that needs fixing.
To determine if there is a problem with any component of the unit, contact Lec for assistance. This is especially true if your unit is relatively new or still has an active warranty.
Alternatively, contact any of our experienced appliance technicians. They are always on hand to give expert advice and assist you, whatever the appliance problem is.
Remember, unplugging the unit is an important first step in safety, to prevent electrocution. So unplug the unit first before touching any part of it for diagnostic work or repairs.
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