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Episode Transcription
This is Susie Craig with Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension.
Have you ever wondered if you should periodically clean out your freezer? The answer is yes. Manual defrost freezers should be defrosted annually or when large areas of frost accumulate more than a quarter of an inch thick.
You should wrap and pack your frozen food in cardboard boxes or insulated coolers. Disconnect your freezer and follow manufacturer directions for defrosting. Some manufacturers recommend allowing frost to thaw naturally, others recommend using pans of hot water. One size doesn’t fit all. And, some approaches may damage your freezer. So, read the directions.
While frost-free freezers do not need defrosting, they do require annual cleaning. Before cleaning any freezer:
- Always turn off the power,
- Wipe surfaces with a baking soda solution of one Tablespoon per quart of water,
- Rinse, towel dry and replace food.
For more information on-line, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
This is Susie Craig from Washington State University Extension for Food Safety in a Minute.