Properly maintaining a chest freezer can go a long way toward saving both money in repair costs and aggravation. When your chest freezer doesn’t work, you risk losing money on the spoilage of the stored food as it begins to thaw and rot. You can prevent this from happening by following these tips on how to maintain a chest freezer.

One area often overlooked by homeowners is where the freezer is located in the home. The best place is to locate it in an area that is not surrounded by a lot of clutter. Never use the chest freezer as a storage shelf or clothes rack. It must have free space so the compressor and condenser are free for air to circulate. Drawing cooler air from the surrounding area allows a compressor to work more efficiently and not overheat.

Periodically clean the coils located at the back or the underside of the freezer.. Before beginning to move the unit away from the wall and unplug it. Remove any protective cover over the condenser coils. Use either a handheld or traditional house vacuum with a hose that includes a narrow attachment at the end. Thoroughly vacuum any dust or other debris off the coils. Replace the cover. Plug the unit back in and re-position it properly.

Dirt, dust and grime have a tendency to always find a way to accumulate around your chest freezer. While cleaning the coils clean the surrounding area too. Check underneath and against the back wall for any dust or other dirt and remove it while cleaning the coils.

Sometimes even frost-free chest freezers need a manual defrosting to help maintain proper operation. Start by unplugging the unit and allowing it to defrost on its own, Never attempt to remove chunks of ice from freezer walls with a knife or other sharp object because you may cause permanent damage to the freezer.

Try to maintain the freezer as full as possible. A full freezer will not require the compressor to run as long which will conserve its life and helping save energy.

Examine the door gasket for damage or debris. Everyday household grime can become trapped on and around the door gasket causing an improper seal that leads to loss of cooling air and overworks the compressor. Periodically wipe the door gasket clean from any accumulated dirt and grime. Check to see if there are any cuts in the gasket or pieces missing. Replace the gasket if it is damaged.

Do not spend a lot of time with the door open searching for stored items. Place an item position guide on the outside to help direct you to a specific location.

These tips will go a long way in reducing repair costs and extending the life of your chess freezer.

See related articles:

How to Take Care of Your Washing Machine and Dryer

Installing a Central Vacuum System

Installing a Humidifier

Installing a Washing Machine

Microwave Ovens