How to Defrost a Freezer
Posted on October 05, 2025 By Mike M.
Picture this: You're craving some ice cream, and thankfully, you have a pint in your freezer. When you go to retrieve your sweet treat, you discover that the frost problem you've been ignoring in your freezer has reached a critical mass. You need to defrost it, and you need to do it as soon as possible, but how?
How Do You Defrost a Freezer?
Defrosting a freezer may seem like a daunting task, but in reality, it can be broken down into a few simple steps.
Empty and Unplug
The first thing you're going to need to do is empty your freezer so you can properly defrost it without ruining your frozen groceries. You can keep your food in a cooler with ice or another cool space for the duration of the process. Then, you need to unplug your freezer. This will allow the ice inside to start thawing.
Lay Down Towels
Thawing out a freezer tends to be a wet job. As the ice melts, you'll need towels to soak up the water. Laying them down over the bottom of the unit should prevent puddles. Be sure to switch them out with new dry towels so they don't become oversaturated.
Let the Melting Commence
How long does it take to defrost a freezer? While the process is simple, it can take quite some time for the ice inside your freezer to fully melt, especially if you're working with a larger unit. Letting the ice melt naturally can take a full day if you're dealing with a large freezer, and even a smaller freezer can take multiple hours. If you want to speed things up, filling bowls with hot water - not boiling water! - and placing them into the freezer can help the ice melt faster. Applying warm towels to the most frozen spots can help too. If you're willing to get physical, you can use a plastic scraper to manually break up some of the larger pieces of ice.
Remove Ice
After enough time has passed, and once the ice has softened, you can start to remove large chunks of it by hand if you're able. As mentioned above, you can use a tool like a plastic spatula or scraper if you're still having trouble getting some of that ice off. Just be careful; you wouldn't want to scratch or even pierce the inside of the unit.
Clean the Freezer
Once all of the ice and water is gone, wipe down the inside of the freezer with a solution made up of warm water and baking soda. This will help eliminate any odor. You can also use a small amount of dish soap if you have any stubborn messes inside the freezer. Be sure to wipe down the inside of the freezer with regular water after you're done to get any residue off. After that, dry off the freezer with a rag and plug it back in.
How to Defrost a Chest Freezer
If you're looking for info specifically about defrosting a chest freezer, the process is almost the same as above, but you'll need to deal with a few more obstacles due to the freezer's unique shape. Since chest freezers are horizontal and much deeper than a typical freezer, it's going to take much longer for a chest freezer to defrost on its own even after you unplug it. Thankfully, unlike a typical upright freezer, chest freezers tend to have drain plugs at the bottom or on the sides, so you won't have to deal with as much water pooling. Pull out the drain plug stopper, plug in a drain hose adapter, then attach a hose that empties out into the nearest sink, tub, or outdoor area. If the hose isn't an option for you, use a large shallow tray that can be easily emptied as it fills. Placing large roasting pans inside the freezer will also catch lots of water as the ice melts. Laying out some towels is also a good idea. It's important to note that tilting the freezer even slightly can end up damaging the compressor, so it's best to play it safe and let any hard-to-reach ice melt naturally. The previously-mentioned hot water method can do wonders in speeding up the melting process, so definitely take advantage of that if you're able.
Many modern upright freezers come with automatic defrosting settings, so having to defrost a freezer isn't something you'll need to do too often. However, when the need does present itself, knowing some of the tips and tricks above can definitely help simplify the process. With a little effort and a little patience, your freezer will be defrosted in no time!