Freezer defrosting made easy

[Thomson]

* I wish I could thank the person who said he bought some thin flexible plastic cutting boards and placed them on the back of the freezer. What a marvelous idea!!!! We have a 4 door Norcold and usually takes over 2 hours to defrost. I put in the plastic cutting boards with some trimming, but also some overlap last September. The frost was from. 1" to 1 1/2" on the back. Nothing on the sides doors or bottom. I emptied the freezer, reached the plastic, pulled one edge and the ice fell away. The plastic bends where the ice does not. It took me longer to unload and repack the freezer than it took to defrost. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!

[Docsouce]

This is a good idea. Also, someone here suggested using a hair dryer on low to medium heat. I empty it then put a towel on the bottom of the reefer to catch th water from the melted ice. All together it takes about 15 minutes. I like this plastic cutting board though.
I'm going to try it this spring when I open the RV up again.

[norty1]

Greet idea! We already have a few of them but they are very inexpensive at Walmart. We usually have to do the defrost thing when out for over a month and this seems to make it less troublesome.

[one2camp]

How do you stick them on the back? Do they just lean against the back and stay up on their own or do you use something to keep them in place?

[norty1]

Originally Posted by one2camp

How do you stick them on the back? Do they just lean against the back and stay up on their own or do you use something to keep them in place?

I was explaining this to Lynda last night and that was the same question she asked. I told here the food would likely keep it in place or the racks. We are picking up a few if we get to Walmart and will do some experimenting if we don't see an answer on here.

[Thomson]

The shelves keep them up for the most part. I pulled the shelves forward to install and defrost. I used one piece of the 3M double-sided super tape to hold one piece. Except for under the ice maker the cutting boards didn't reach the top of the freezer. The piece that had the tape just got moved enough so not to have to remove the tape.
Just make sure you overlap a little as it's hard to get your finger behind the board if you don't. I think they might work best with the shiny side out.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by Docsouce

This is a good idea. Also, someone here suggested using a hair dryer on low to medium heat. I empty it then put a towel on the bottom of the reefer to catch th water from the melted ice. All together it takes about 15 minutes. I like this plastic cutting board though.
I'm going to try it this spring when I open the RV up again.

This is what we do... quick and simple and the food goes right back in.

[Spower]

I thought this was a great idea! So I bought a 4 pack at Walmart for $4.44. Used 1 1/2, put some command strips on the back to keep in place.
Thanks for the idea!!

[Nature Ist]

My first instinct was to question whether or not putting the plastic on the rear wall of the freezer would reduce or limit the effectiveness of the cooling. It appears your experience (s) indicate there is no impact. I have used the hairdryer for years successfully, but this does sound like a better method.
So, at least, I can thank YOU while I can. Thanks!

[Thomson]

That the plastic would impede cold transfer was the first thing I thought would happen. However, I tried it anyway and a packed freezer holds 8 F anyway. Ice cream put on the lowest shelf on the left is just right. It's not mushy and you don't need a jackhammer to get it out. So I don't think it's a problem.