How do I keep a freezer from frosting up?

Keep moist air out, and defrost on schedule

A freezer frosts up when humid room air gets in and freezes on the cold walls. So the way to stop it is to let in less air, keep wet things out, and take off the frost before it thickens. None of it needs tools.

Steps

If it is already frosting heavily, find out why first with why is my freezer frosting up. The habits below stop it coming back.

Keep the door or lid closed

ENERGY STAR's freezer guidance is short: minimize the amount of time the freezer door is open.^[1] Decide what you need before you lift the lid. Whirlpool names frequent opening of the lid, allowing warm air to enter, as a common cause of ice build-up.^[2] It is worth sorting the freezer so the things you grab most are on top and easy to find.

Look after the seal

Check the seal now and then. ENERGY STAR says to make sure the seals around the door are airtight, and if not, to replace them.^[1] Whirlpool says the gaskets need to be cleaned regularly for the doors to open and close properly, because dirt and other particles can build up on the gasket surface and can cause resistance.^[3] Wipe the gasket clean and dry it. A bin, shelf or package pressed against the door is another way a gap appears, so keep food from sitting against the seal.^[3]

A freezer that rocks or tilts can also let the door sit badly. For proper operation Whirlpool recommends a level checked side to side and front to back, with shims if the floor is not level.^[3] Replacing a worn gasket is covered in how to replace a refrigerator door gasket.

Keep wet and warm things out

Moisture inside the freezer ends up as frost. Whirlpool says to ensure items are adequately cooled before storage and to regularly check seals, and it notes that storing warm or improperly sealed items can contribute to ice formation.^[2] In practice, let leftovers cool, then seal them in airtight containers or freezer bags with the air pressed out, and wipe off any wet packaging.

Set it and place it well

ENERGY STAR says to keep the temperature at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.^[1] It also says that unless you live in a mild climate, you should keep your freezer indoors, such as in the basement,^[1] because extreme temperatures are hard on the compressor. In a damp Virginia garage the lid brings in humid summer air with every opening. Leave a few inches between the wall or cabinets and the freezer for air circulation.^[1]

Defrost before it gets thick

If yours is a manual-defrost model, schedule the job. Whirlpool says to defrost and clean when frost reaches about 1/4 inch, and at least once a year, more often in high-humidity areas.^[2] ENERGY STAR gives the same limit: Don't allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.^[1] It also says manual-defrost freezers use half the energy of automatic defrost models, but must be defrosted periodically to achieve the energy savings.^[1]

When the time comes, follow how to defrost a freezer fast. Do not use a hair dryer or heater, and keep ice picks and knives out of it.^[2]

Stop and call a pro if

• Frost returns within weeks of a defrost and the gasket, level and habits are all fine. In a frost-free model that suggests a defrost system fault.
• The freezer runs constantly or will not hold temperature. That can be a sealed-system problem a technician must diagnose.
• The seal is damaged and you cannot get a matching part. A technician can source and fit it.
• Water has reached the cord, plug or outlet. Keep it unplugged until it is dry.

Getting help in Virginia

Whether to repair or replace an older unit is covered in is it worth repairing an old freezer, and how much freezer repair costs in Virginia explains what drives a quote. See more appliance repair answers and browse appliance repair businesses near you.

When you are ready, describe the freezer problem once and local appliance repair businesses quote it.