Yes, although we sometimes forget about it, the freezer also needs to be cleaned regularly (at least once a year). The reason is both so that it works correctly (the accumulation of ice and frost makes it have to work more and consume energy) as well as to guarantee that the food we keep in it is kept in good condition.
How to clean the freezer step by step
- Empty it. The first thing to do, first of all, is to remove the food that remains in it and, before cleaning it, it has to be defrosted.
- Defrost it. To do this, unplug the freezer (or the entire fridge in case it doesn't have its own switch) and let the ice melt.
- Remove ice and frost. To speed up the process, you can do it with the help of hot water or a wedge-shaped utensil (many refrigerator models bring it). But never with knives or other sharp or sharp elements, as they can damage its surface.
- Remove the accessories. As soon as the ice and frost are gone, remove the shelves and drawers and wash them. If you have a dishwasher, you can do it in it with dish soap and warm water. It's one of the things that you wouldn't say can be washed in a dishwasher. Another option is to do it by hand with water and baking soda, one of the most effective household cleaning products to clean.
- Wash it inside and out. Once you have it empty, wash the interior with a mixture of water and bicarbonate, which apart from being very effective to clean is very respectful with the environment and with the surface of the freezer since it does not contain abrasive substances. And don't forget the rubbers and gaskets, as well as the outside of the freezer.
- Assemble it and connect it. When you have it clean and dry, put the accessories back and connect it. However, do not place the food yet. It is recommended not to do it until at least 20 minutes have passed.
How to order the freezer correctly
- Don't break the cold chain. Do not put food or hot food in the freezer, or keep it open for a long time, because it gets cold so that the temperature does not rise, and thus you increase the electricity bill unnecessarily.
- Suitable packaging. Use hermetic bags and containers and, whenever possible, opt for transparent containers to make it easier for you to find everything.
- Better, without air. To prevent food from oxidizing and dehydrating, in addition to using hermetic containers, minimize the air inside to improve its conservation. Keep in mind that there are tuppers with accessories to make the vacuum. And if you want to go 'pro', another good option is to get a vacuum packaging machine.
- Not in a big way. Freeze portioned foods. That way you only defrost what you need.
- Label what you keep. The most important thing when organizing your freezer is to take into account the expiration date of the food you are going to freeze. Label them indicating what they are and the date you save them.
- Group. Store foods in groups: fish, meat, poultry or vegetables. In most freezers that have drawers, it is indicated which drawer is most suitable for each type of food.
- All in order. When ordering the freezer, put yourself in Marie Kondo mode. If you have several drawers, use the most accessible part for what you are going to consume first, and the most inaccessible for what you are going to consume later. And you take advantage of the possibilities of fridge organizers.
