Defrosting the Norcold freezer/fridge

[PeppyPilot]

This summer we plan a 10 week trip. Previously our trips had always been shorter, so this was not an issue.

I know it's dependent on weather and frequency of opening the doors, but any ballparks as to how often we'll need to defrost?

How long should it take? Any tips to speed up the process?

How to keep frozen food frozen while defrosting?

[bluwtr49]

Our 1200 RIM seems to require a defrost every 2 months or so. When the frost covers the bolt heads for the ice maker...it's time. the other criteria. is when the freezer temp get to 10 or so.

I use a hair dryer regardless of what Norcold says and it's w 20 minute job....been doing that for 20 years with no issues just don't hold it too close and you should be OK.

[mchero]

Before defrosting make sure you hang the drip tube ouside the coach. That SMALL drip cup behind the fridge will fill up quickly & you will have water all over the backside.

[mmriddile]

I regularly defrost my fridge/freezer. First try to reduce the amount of food to the minimum before you do the defrost. Next, get your big cooler and go to the grocery store to buy some dry ice. I have found this at Publix and Safeway stores on the East Coast. Cram all your frozen food into the bottom of the cooler, and put the dry ice on top of it. You can layer some newspaper on top of this to try to reduce the evaporation of the dry ice. Leave the dry ice in the plastic bags it comes in. Do not touch the dry ice with your bare hands. This should keep the food frozen over night. You can set some of your fridge food on top of that layer but don't put anything that could be ruined by freezing like lettuce. You probably will need a second cooler with ice in it for most of your fridge stuff, or if the fridge is a separate space, you could just put the ice in the fridge section to keep it cold; it will act like a cooler even with the power off. Turn off the fridge and open the doors of the freezer. If you want to speed up the defrost process, you can use a blow dryer to melt down some of the ice but be aware that the interior is plastic and the blow dryer can warp it if your hold it in one place too long. I usually just let it melt overnight. I also place some absorbent towels in the bottom of the freeze (like ShamWows!) to soak up the water. Once everything is melted, I dry the surfaces off thoroughly. You will need to cool the freezer down again before you place the food back in there. You might need to go get more dry ice because it evaporates into Carbon Dioxide Gas overnight. Have fun!

[Gonzo42]

Yes, that is what I was suspecting. I can see the drain tube under the chassis but I can't see the upper end yet. Perhaps when I get more time.

There is a speaker in the cabinet below the reefer and I pulled that but I can't see the drain tube at all there.

[Executive45]

Gjac wrote:
Am I the only one who just turns off the refer for 5-8 hrs and let it defrost by itself. Most of the melted ice drips into the pan and out the side of MH into evaporator pan. Sometimes sheets of ice fall off which I just throw into the sink. The only time I do this is on extended trips. For 2 weeks or less I wait until I get home.

If you're full timing...you're already home...:B:B.....just sayin....Dennis

[Gjac]

Am I the only one who just turns off the refer for 5-8 hrs and let it defrost by itself. Most of the melted ice drips into the pan and out the side of MH into evaporator pan. Sometimes sheets of ice fall off which I just throw into the sink. The only time I do this is on extended trips. For 2 weeks or less I wait until I get home.

[Executive45]

My Norcold manual specifically stated not to use a hair dryer. I would simply put the frozen foods in the sink and use hot water and a bulb syringe, think baby supplies or the one you use to fill your batteries. It doesn't take but about 15 minutes to completely defrost, dry and then put the foods back in.

If you notice water in a lower storage compartment when there is a defrost, you probably have a blockage in the drip tube. Looking below the fins in the fridge, you'll see a tray that spans the width of the fridge immediately below them. At one end of this tray is a drain hole. The water should drain to this hole and be carried out the bottom of the coach. Ensure this drain line is open....Dennis

[Gonzo42]

I notice water in a lower storage compartment when there is a defrost.

[wa8yxm]

How often do you need to defrost? Well, when you think you need to you need to, In hot humid weather it can be quite often, in dryer weather months.

How to keep food cold/frozen while defrosting.. Well I cheat..

First: In my car, in the back seat, is a picnic cooler.. If I run to the store for meat or milk or cheese or anything needing cold storage.. It goes in the picnic cooler,, USUALLY with a bag of re-freezable "Blue ICe" or equivalent.

I bring it into the motor home.

I also have an Engel Chest freezer/fridge (one or the other not both, adjustable as to which) and use it. I also wait till just before shopping day so there is not all that much in the freezer fridge.

But a Picnic cooler or two.. My best suggestion. How I've done it for years.

[slyone]

We were in Florida for 3 months and had to defrost our Norcold twice. We put everything from the freezer into coolers with ice. We then put a shammy in both compartsments to soak up the water and left the door open. It took no time at all and the shammies held all the water.

[downtheroad]

We waited until we were close to needing to shop for frozen stuff...
Emptied the few things we did still have into an ice chest.
Used a hair dryer on the freezer.

Took all of 20 minutes.

[rgatijnet1]

Spraying the cooling fins with a non-stick cooking spray helps to delay the frost from forming as well as speeds up the defrosting process.
Depending on where you travel, the frost may not be as big a problem as you think. When we travel out West, with the low humidity in many areas, we can go for three months or more without having to defrost.

[krivanj]

If you can prop an electric fan so that it blows hard into the freezer or refrigerator, the defrosting goes really quick. We too put the stuff in the sinks, or a big Rubbermaid container I have in the lockers below.

[John_S_]

When I had a propane fridge I would just wait till I got home. It was simpler that way.