How to Remove Built‐Up Frost from Your Freezer

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: June 27, 2024 Fact Checked

A little bit of frost build-up in your freezer is normal, but it can become a problem over time. Too much frost can be damaging to food and can indicate a problem with your freezer. There are, however, simple ways to remove built-up frost. You can scrape off the build-up or defrost the freezer in order to melt the excess ice. Then, take steps to prevent build-up in the freezer later, such as keeping the thermostat just below 0 °F (−18 °C).

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Scraping Built-Up Frost

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1
Scrape the ice with a plastic spatula or wooden spoon. This is one of the quickest ways to remove frost build-up. A plastic spatula or wooden spoon is safest to use because it is less likely you will hurt yourself while scraping or puncture the gas line. Gently dig underneath the ice to begin removing it. Hold a bucket or trash can underneath the freezer door to collect the scrapings. ^{[1]
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- Continue until most or all of the build-up has been removed.
- This method works best when combined with another method, like defrosting by unplugging the freezer.
2
Remove frost with rubbing alcohol and a heated cloth. Hold a clean rag with tongs and dip it into boiling water. Then, pour rubbing alcohol onto the cloth over the sink. Use the tongs to place the rag on top of the frost. It will quickly begin to melt. Use a dry cloth to soak up the melted ice. ^{[2]
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- This method typically works better when thin layers of ice need to be removed rather than large chunks.
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This is one of the fastest ways to remove ice, but it is the method that requires the most caution. Begin by putting on an oven mitt and holding a metal spatula over a flame or other heat source. Then, place the heated spatula on the ice until it begins to melt. Wipe up the water with a dry cloth. ^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Defrosting the Freezer

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Begin the defrosting process by removing every item from your freezer. Put the items in another freezer, the fridge, or a cooler. ^{[4]
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In order for the frost build-up to defrost, you will need to unplug the freezer unit. If it is necessary to shut off the power to the refrigerator as well, you can leave the items inside it. Even with the fridge unplugged, it should stay cold for a few hours.
After unplugging the freezer, remove all of the trays or shelves from the freezer. Then, place towels in the bottom of the freezer to catch the melted ice. ^{[5]
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4
Let the freezer stand open for 2-4 hours. Keep the door propped open so the warm air in your home will melt the ice more quickly. You can place something, like a wedge, in the door to keep it open, if necessary.
- To speed up the process, you can put hot water in a spray bottle and spray it onto the ice. Then, mop it up with a towel. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer to blow hot air into the freezer to melt the ice.
5
Clean the freezer with warm water and dish soap. Once all of the ice has melted, clean out the freezer. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of dish soap with 4 cups (0.95 l) of water. Dip a clean rag into the solution and use it wipe out the freezer. Then, use a rag to dry up any remaining water.
- As an alternative to soap and water, you can use a baking soda and water solution or an equal parts vinegar and water solution to clean your freezer. In addition to getting your freezer clean, both baking soda and vinegar help remove odors.
6
Plug in the freezer, then restock it once it gets cold. Plug in the freezer after wiping it down. Let it cool back down to 0 °F (−18 °C), which may take between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Then, restock the refrigerator with your food and other items.
- Check the temperature on the thermostat, or put a thermometer in the freezer for 3 minutes before reading it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Built-Up Frost

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Keep the thermostat just below 0 °F (−18 °C). If the thermostat isn’t at the correct temperature, unwanted frost will build up. Check the thermostat once a week to make sure it is at the right temperature. ^{[6]
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- If your freezer doesn’t have a thermometer, put a thermometer inside of it.
Don’t put your freezer directly up against the wall. Leave about 1 foot (30 cm) of space so that the coils have room to cool your freezer well. ^{[7]
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Avoid leaving the freezer door open when you’re cooking or moving around in the kitchen. This will allow excess heat into the freezer. Also, make sure the freezer door seals tightly. ^{[8]
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Wait until the hot item has cooled to room temperature before putting it into the freezer. The excess moisture from the heat will create frost and frost-bitten foods. ^{[9]
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Don’t place the freezer near a heat source such as the oven, water heater, or furnace. This will cause the freezer to overwork itself, which can create frost. ^{[10]
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How do I remove food packages stuck on the freezer floor?

Community Answer

Try warm water. Use a paper towel or rag soaked in warm water and soak or dab the area around the package with it.

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How can I get frost out of a freezer?

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Empty the freezer, unplug it and let it thaw out. Do not scrape the frost from the freezer with a knife or other sharp implement, as you can damage the freezer.

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My small deep freezer feels hot on the outside. What can I do?

Community Answer

The door gaskets on many units have a built-in heat strip to prevent frost buildup. If your freezer has a temperature control, you could try turning it down, which may in turn generate less heat.

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Tips

Don’t fill your freezer too much or leave it too empty. Keeping it appropriately stocked for the space will keep the temperature regulated properly.

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If the temperature in your house is fairly warm, you can put a fan directly in front of your open freezer to defrost built-up ice. This will typically take several hours to work, though.

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Clean the freezer seal (gasket) with with warm water and soap once a month. If you see mold, clean it with bleach.

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Warnings

Call an appliance repair professional if you notice a thick sheet of ice on the back panel of your freezer. The sheet of ice may be indicative of a bigger problem.

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Solid ice at the base of a drawer may be a sign of a leak in your freezer.

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Things You'll Need

Plastic spatula or wooden spoon
Metal spatula
Clean rags
Rubbing alcohol
Dish soap
Towels

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How to Remove Built‐Up Frost from Your Freezer

Steps

Scraping Built-Up Frost

Defrosting the Freezer

Preventing Built-Up Frost

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

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