Mini/Compact Freezer with Defrost Drain - Anyone Have?

Montana · ‎03-09-2010

I am looking at small chest freezers - less than 10 Cu ft. Are models with defrost drains easier to defrost? Where does the water go while defrosting?

I am not familiar with stand-alone freezers.

fthunt · ‎12-24-2010

I've had stand alone freezers all my life - parents had a huge one and I've had my upright style for over 30 years. Great investment - buy bulk foods - always ready. I prefer a refrigerator style - all the food on shelves are at your eye level. The box style - you have to remove food on top to see food on the bottom of chest. Defrosting - NEVER PULL THE PLUG ON THE DRAIN HOLE when in melting stage unless you have a pipe to take the water - to the outside or a cement floor drain.

I have to defrost mine before the winter stock-up. I have a shop vac ready to suck up the melted ice - I then put 2 hair dryers in the unit after turning off (electrical) the freezer. As chunks of ice melt and become loose - I grab them - throw them in a pail - easier to remove in ice form instead of water form. Water that melts in the bottom of freezer - I then use the suck up machine. For a 6 ft freezer - I'm done in just over than hour. Of course, you've first taken all the frozen food OUT and temporarily store the packages in a plastic tub or such.

Wipe the inside of unit dry before reconnecting the electrical - or those drops will immediately freeze -

And - never leave the freezer while it is defrosting - never leave the hair dryers or they might shift and water/electric not a good combination. Never just turn the machine off and go shopping - that's danger just waiting.

Westinghouse had a great units - I'd check them out first. Mine is a "W". Don't buy an off-shore manufacturer = service if needed. No problems here after 30 years plus. Good luck and you're smart to invest. (frozen fruit - veggies - quick meals)

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

@fthunt

I have a small upright freezer for 20 plus years. Amazing how freezers just keep on going. Known folks who have kept their freezers for 50 years. I do have to defrost mine like you.

I was just wondering your opinion of the self defrosting models? They were available back when I purchased mine, but I elected not to go that route as food was more exposed to freezer burn and ice crystal build up because of temperature fluctuation. Additionally I was told you couldn't keep the food frozen as long as non-defrosting units.

Lucky Duck · ‎03-13-2010

We bought a GE 15.3 cu ft deep freezer 40 years ago. It has traveled with us in approximately 14 moves which included going from mid-US to West coast, back to mid-US and then to TN. It has remained in the same location for the last 20 years and is still going strong.

Actually ice doesn't build up a lot. Come to think of it, I think I only defrosted it 2 or maybe 3 times in the last 20 years. It is not self-defrosting! When it is time to defrost, I put the food in boxes or some type of containers and cover. I heat large pots of water and put in the unplugged freezer and when the ice loosens up, I carefully take off chunks and put in the sink to melt. I have a special plastic scraper to scrape ice off the sides and bottom. I don't remove the drain plug. I mop up any water that is in the bottom and dry it as much as I can before turning the unit back on. It takes an hour or so from start to finish.

It has been a good investment!!!!

Montana · ‎03-09-2010

Is a power light indicator a useful feature on a chest freezer?

fthunt · ‎12-24-2010

So long ago we bought ours I don't recall a choice of self-defrost. I agree with you the self would work against the purpose of deep freezing. The warm surge and then the cold temperature would create more frost.

On a light question: if the freezer has one - that's good - but I wouldn't buy a particular brand just because of a light. When I open mine - the motor comes on as the warmer room temp hits the thermostat......and I know all is working just fine.

I used to thaw the build-up with hot pans of water on the shelves - one I could burn myself 2) had to run up/down stairs from stove to basement freezer. So changed to two hair dryers - one hand held and one the old style with a hood like beauty parlors - I cover the air intake with light aluminum so NO water drips in the dryer and shorts out. (the hood left this earth a long time ago LOL)

Nice chatting with you gals!

Snowpuppy · ‎03-09-2010

All chest type freezers have to be defrosted.

If you want frost free you have to get an upright.

It's the price point. The less you spend, the less you get. Never seen a mini fridge/freezer that's frost free. With the size of the freezer you're not going to get buckets of water defrosting.