KitchenAid Defrosting Process

KitchenAid Defrosting Process – Manual and Automatic Defrosting Tips

KitchenAid is a brand that offers a wide range of refrigerators and freezers with different features and functions. One of the features that many KitchenAid models have is the automatic defrosting system, which prevents ice buildup on the evaporator coils and maintains optimal cooling performance. However, some older models or some specific types of freezers, such as chest freezers, may not have this feature and require manual defrosting from time to time. In this article, we will explain how the KitchenAid defrosting process works and how to do it manually or automatically depending on your model. For top-tier Kitchen Aid refrigerator maintenance in Santa Barbara, connect with our reliable partner. They prioritize delivering exceptional service to meet your needs.

What is the KitchenAid Defrosting Process?

The KitchenAid defrosting process is the cycle that your refrigerator or freezer goes through to melt the ice that forms on the evaporator coils. The evaporator coils are the parts that cool the air inside the appliance by absorbing heat from it. However, as the air cools, it also loses moisture, which condenses on the coils and freezes over time. This ice buildup can reduce the efficiency of the cooling system, increase the energy consumption, and cause problems such as temperature fluctuations, noise, leaks, or food spoilage.

To prevent these issues, your KitchenAid appliance needs to defrost regularly to remove the ice from the coils. Depending on your model, this can be done manually or automatically.

How to Defrost Your KitchenAid Appliance Manually?

If your KitchenAid appliance does not have an automatic defrosting system, you will need to defrost it manually when you notice ice buildup on the walls, shelves, or vents of your appliance. This can happen every few months or more frequently depending on the humidity level in your area and how often you open and close the door of your appliance.

To defrost your KitchenAid appliance manually, follow these steps :

• Move the food in your appliance to a cool location. You can use a cooler with ice packs, a neighbor’s appliance, or a cold part of your home. Wrap the food well to prevent spoilage and contamination.
• Turn off the power supply to your appliance by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker. This will stop the compressor and the fan from running and allow the ice to melt gradually.
• Place old towels and baking trays around the bottom of your appliance to catch the dripping water. You can also use a bucket or a basin if your appliance has a drainage hose at the bottom.
• Leave the door of your appliance open and wait for the ice to melt completely. This may take several hours or overnight depending on how thick the ice is. You can use a spatula or a plastic scraper to remove some of the ice if you want to speed up the process, but be careful not to damage the walls or shelves of your appliance.
• Wipe down the inside of your appliance with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly. You can also use a mild cleaner or baking soda to remove any stains or odors.
• Turn on the power supply and adjust the temperature setting of your appliance. Allow it to cool down for at least 4 hours before putting back the food.

How to Defrost Your KitchenAid Appliance Automatically?

If your KitchenAid appliance has an automatic defrosting system, you don’t need to do anything to defrost it manually. The system will do it for you automatically every 20 to 30 minutes by turning off the cooling and heating up a small heater near the coils. This will melt the ice and drain it through a tube into a pan at the bottom of your appliance. The water in the pan will evaporate naturally due to the heat from the compressor.

The automatic defrosting system will not affect the temperature or quality of your food, as it only lasts for a few minutes each time. However, if you notice any problems with your automatic defrosting system, such as error codes, flashing lights, beeping sounds, or water leaks, you may need to force defrost your appliance manually.

To force defrost your KitchenAid appliance manually, follow these steps:

• Open the door of your appliance and press and hold down the door alarm button.
• Press and hold down the temperature reduction button for your appliance.
• Release both buttons after 3 seconds. You should hear a beep and see an Fd code on the display panel.
• Press the temperature reduction button again until you see an SH code on the display panel. This means that your appliance is in forced defrost mode.
• Wait for about 20 minutes until you hear another beep and see an Ed code on the display panel. This means that your appliance has completed forced defrost mode.
• Press any button to exit forced defrost mode and resume normal operation.

Tips for Preventing Ice Buildup in Your KitchenAid Appliance

To avoid having to defrost your KitchenAid appliance too often, you can follow these tips to prevent ice buildup in the first place:

• Keep the door of your appliance closed as much as possible and avoid opening and closing it too frequently. This will prevent warm and moist air from entering your appliance and condensing on the coils.
• Check the door seal or gasket of your appliance regularly and make sure it is not damaged or loose. This will prevent air leaks that can cause temperature fluctuations and ice formation.
• Do not put hot or warm food in your appliance. Let it cool down completely before storing it in your appliance. This will prevent excess moisture from evaporating and freezing on the coils.
• Do not overfill or overcrowd your appliance. Leave some space between the food items and the walls and shelves of your appliance. This will allow proper air circulation and cooling efficiency.
• Replace the water filter of your appliance every 6 months or as needed. A clogged or dirty water filter can reduce the water pressure and affect the quality and taste of your water and ice.