by It’s important to keep your mini fridge clear of frost and clean. It’s just as crucial as any other kitchen maintenance job, like washing dirty pots and pans! But not enough people practice it frequently enough.
Even if you only need to know how to defrost a mini fridge, learn how to defrost a refrigerator. No matter how big or small, defrosting your refrigerator will keep it operating smoothly and help your food stay fresh.
This useful manual was created in the simplest manner possible. One day will suffice to complete it! Now there are no more justifications. Keep reading!
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Table of Contents
How To Defrost A Mini Refrigerator?
1. Make Preparation
Your RA means a couple of days before when they advise you to defrost your mini fridge…not a few minutes before you’re walking out the door to go home.
To prevent a mess when you return to your dorm room, defrost your mini fridge about 24-48 hours before you leave. Remember that a refrigerator will take longer to completely defrost the larger it is. You must get rid of, donate, or eat any remaining food in your refrigerator and freezer the day before you leave. Make sure you take out everything, including ice trays. As the freezer defrosts and sits outside over break, anything left inside will begin to mold or mildew.
#SpoonTip: Get some creamer capsules from the cafeteria at your school if you can’t go without your coffee creamer the following morning. No refrigeration is required for them!
2. Unplug The Mini Fridge
It’s important to remember this step.
3. Lay A Towel Under It
This is the most important step when defrosting your mini fridge. Ask your roommate, a friend, or your mother for assistance in choosing your least favorite towel. While the other slide a towel underneath, have one person gently lift the refrigerator. Put a towel on the floor to mop up any extra water as the fridge defrosts. In order to protect the floor from damage, make sure the towel covers the bottom of the refrigerator as well as the area around it.
Use a substantial bath towel or dish towel, says spoon tip. Paper towels won’t work in this situation because they aren’t thick enough, especially if your mini fridge also has a freezer section.
4. Prop Open The Door
Fridge and freezer doors should be propped open. Your dorm room’s temperature will help the air circulate, which will speed up the defrosting process and prevent any strange odors. For best ventilation, leave the doors open all night.
5. Clean Your Mini Fridge
Clean up any extra moisture on the shelves in the morning. Alternate the towel if the refrigerator is still defrosting. Pick up a box of baking soda at the supermarket. Throwing a box of baking soda in the refrigerator while you stuff your face with turkey couldn’t hurt because sodium bicarbonate, the only component of baking soda, helps absorb any musty or offensive odors.
You can also use clean kitty litter or coffee grounds in place of baking soda if you have them on hand.
You should come back to a defrosted, clean mini fridge now that you understand how to defrost a mini fridge. Before you fill it with all of your leftovers from Thanksgiving and cans of La Croix, plug it back in and give it a few hours to re-chill.
Washing Individual Parts
The drawers and shelves must first be cleaned. This is primarily for hygienic reasons. Wash them in warm, soapy water, then let them air dry.
Wiping Down The Inside Of The Mini Fridge
It’s time to follow suit and clean the refrigerator’s interior next. To remove stains and unpleasant odors, use a warm, soapy rag. Another way to eliminate unpleasant odors from the refrigerator is to keep a bowl of baking soda there.
Get Everything Dry
Before closing the door or plugging in your mini-refrigerator, make sure it is completely dry.
Plug It Back In
You can plug the mini fridge back in after it has thoroughly dried out. Once it has chilled, wait a few hours before using it once more!
Things Don’t Do When Cleaning A Mini Fridge
On the internet, there is a lot of bad information circulating. Here are five things you should never do when defrosting a mini fridge.
1. Don’t Use A Metal Scraper
Metal scrapers are too aggressive and could seriously harm your mini fridge. Make sure to only use the plastic ones unless you want to pay for pricey repairs.
2. Don’t Put Perishable Foods Back Right Away
It will take your mini fridge a few hours to cool down to a temperature where food is safe.
3. Don’t Forget To Dry The Inside Of The Mini Fridge
If you plug in your refrigerator while it’s still damp inside, the moisture will instantly turn to frost. It will be all for nothing that you did.
4. Don’t Use A Blow Dryer To Defrost
A blow dryer can be used to quickly remove the frost, according to some people. It is best to avoid doing it because the blow dryer’s heat can harm the plastic components of the refrigerator.
5. Don’t Wait Too Long To Do It
It will be more challenging the longer you put off defrosting your refrigerator. If you notice 0.25 inches of frost accumulation, take action.
The Bottom Line
Even though the majority of models now have an automatic defrost feature, having the ability to manually defrost a refrigerator is still a useful kitchen skill, especially if you have a top freezer refrigerator. If you have any other questions, please leave your comment below.
