I have a small college dorm refrigerator and it needs to be defrosted every 3 to 4 months. I have found that if I wrap the freezer with Saran Wrap after I've defrosted it, it is much easier to defrost the next time.
I unplug it, pack it with a few beach towels and a small pan to catch drips and I chip at the ice just enough see the edge of the freezer compartment. After a short amount of time, the ice just chips off in very large sections and I don't have to wait for it to completely melt. I take the large chunks of ice and put them in my plants.
Then I'd dry the freezer and wrap it with new Saran Wrap. I wrap it so the solid part is on the bottom outside and the seam is on the inside of the freezer. I do use two pieces so it goes up the sides of the freezer compartment. For some reason, the ice does not form between the Saran Wrap and the freezer compartment. It breaks free quite easily.
This page contains the following solutions.
Fast and easy way to clean your freezer, use a fan. Simply empty the freezer and direct at top speed in front of a stand up or on top of a chest freezer.
I have an easy, QUICK way to defrost my chest freezer. After defrosting and wiping dry, put about a tablespoon of glycerin on a cloth and run it around the side walls and the top of your freezer.
I use a clean shop vac to remove all the water that melts when I defrost our large box freezer. The shop vac is quick and gets into corners where I can't reach.
To defrost a freezer easily, try this: First, turn if off or unplug. Remove the contents. Next, blow on the ice with a hairdryer, one small section at a time.
The next time you have defrosted you freezer, dry it throughly. Then wipe vegetable oil on the inside walls and floor of the freezer.
