# Defrosting a fridge (in a manly way) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 24, 2009, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569 "2009-03-24T12:24:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/1 "2009-03-24T12:24:16Z")
So my fridge/freezer is getting clogged up with ice. I can’t find the manual, but a phone call to the company secures a replacement. 🆒 I have a holiday coming up, so stop buying food that needs cold storage\*. Then I open the manual excitedly.\*\* ‘Remove all food from the freezer. Note: Any increase in temperature of frozen food during defrosting can shorten its storage life.’ Check! ‘Disconnect the appliance from the mains power supply.’ Check! ‘Pull out the defrost water drain from the base of the freeezer compartment.’ Check! ‘Remove the drain plug (see model map for location).’ Check! ‘Place a container under the drain to collect the defrost water as shown in the manual.’ Check! Actually all this means is: 1. switch the fridge off 2. Take out a plug so water can drip down into the bottom compartment 3. Take out another plug so water can get out the bottom onto a container Anyway it’s all great fun. Every so often I hear a slight creak, followed by a short pause and finally a crash. That’s the ice releasing from the metal, falling and gently breaking up. I have learnt that when carrying (to the sink) a metal tray nearly filled with water that a ripple spells imminent trouble…:eek: \*why yes, I am single. How did you know? \*\* OK, I’m a geek too. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/2 "2009-03-24T12:56:15Z")
You call that manly? Not only did you read the manual, but you followed the blummin’ instructions! You’re supposed to beat the crap out of it, attacking the ice with a combination of rolling pin and carving knife while shouting abuse at every lump of ice that falls off. Okay, you might end up needing to buy a new fridge by the time you’ve finished, but then you can be extra manly and drag the old one out to the back yard and set fire to it. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/3 "2009-03-24T13:05:54Z")
One of the manliest men I know defrosted our office fridge by unplugging it and carrying it over to the utility sink, then plopping it in there and opening it up. Perfect job–12 hours later he took it out, carried it back and plugged it back in. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/4 "2009-03-24T13:12:29Z")
Manly? I scrape off the ice with day old beard stubble. If it’s real thick then I use a compound bone fracture, usually my tibia. You read the what? ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/5 "2009-03-24T13:12:34Z")
Now I’m embarrassed. :o You’re right - I have suppressed my caveman instincts and instead am interested in the patterns formed by the ice. Perhaps I’m a ‘new man’! ---
**Author:** ![slitterst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@slitterst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slitterst)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/6 "2009-03-24T13:26:35Z")
Needed to do this in a hurry once at work. We grabbed a propane torch from the workbox and melted that ice lickety-split! ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/7 "2009-03-24T13:35:59Z")
[Pffft… This is the manly way to defrost a fridge.](http://www.biggerhammer.net/mgshoot/kcrfall2k/flamethrower_upward.jpg) 4000 ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/8 "2009-03-24T14:17:24Z")
> [@Amp](#): > > [Pffft… This is the manly way to defrost a fridge.](http://www.biggerhammer.net/mgshoot/kcrfall2k/flamethrower_upward.jpg) > 4000 This is not recommended, as fridge manufacturers apparently have the unfortunate habit of using materials that are not immune to blowtorches. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/9 "2009-03-24T14:28:44Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Now I’m embarrassed. :o > > You’re right - I have suppressed my caveman instincts and instead am interested in the patterns formed by the ice. > > Perhaps I’m a ‘new man’! OH–You’re British. That explains a LOT. 😃 Consider your method the metrosexual way to defrost the freezer. Good show! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/10 "2009-03-24T14:28:52Z")
You want manly? I give the ice a few good whacks with my rock-hard 18-inch dick. That’s manly. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/11 "2009-03-24T14:43:27Z")
You want manly? While the fridge defrosts I read the paper and drink Johnnie Walker. Then I plug it back in and go to bed rested and happy, just like my grandfather would have done. He was a patient man. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/12 "2009-03-24T14:48:23Z")
Manly? You all don’t know from manly. I carry mine to the bathroom, fill the tub with hot water, place the fridge in the tub and plug it in. Sometimes I get out of the tub first. ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/13 "2009-03-24T15:10:43Z")
MANLY defrosting is unplugging the fridge and immediately going up north for a fishing weekend. Then coming home from said fishing trip to an ungodly smell triggering memories of the no-longer-frozen turkey in the freezer compartment. Then hauling the fridge out into the backyard (in between stomach heaving wretches) to hose out said fridge. Then coming to terms with the fact that the fridge is essentially unsalvageable. Then buying a new fridge. To sum up: never, ever defrost your fridge. Hodge (survivor) ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/14 "2009-03-24T16:39:36Z")
If you do use a pot of hot water to speed up the process, to be manly make sure it’s rosewater with the petals floating on the top. And floating candles, yeah. [http://www.gizmodiva.com/entry\_images/0608/19/philips\_aqualight.jpg](http://www.gizmodiva.com/entry_images/0608/19/philips_aqualight.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![runcible\_spoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/15 "2009-03-24T18:45:06Z")
No, no, no. The manly way to defrost a fridge is to go out drinking while the wife takes care of it. Someone had to say it… ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/16 "2009-03-24T19:00:23Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > This is not recommended, as fridge manufacturers apparently have the unfortunate habit of using materials that are not immune to blowtorches. A real man doesn’t worry about voiding the warranty. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/17 "2009-03-24T19:07:48Z")
Bah. You don’t know manly like Canadians know manly. The proper way to defrost a fridge is to not need one because you hang your food outside from trees in the -30C temperatures while fighting off bears and wolves and harvesting ice for your summer icebox. (City dwellers may grudgingly place food on their windowsills, but then they have to fight off squirrels and health inspectors.) ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/18 "2009-03-24T19:34:25Z")
> [@Amp](#): > > A real man doesn’t worry about voiding the warranty. The warranty on a melted fridge seems rather besides the point to me. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/19 "2009-03-24T19:46:45Z")
When you get tired of waiting, you can speed up the process. manly way: with a heat gun metrosexual way: with a blow dryer These two devices are pretty much the same thing. It’s all about the marketing. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569/20 "2009-03-24T19:51:59Z")
> [@PatriotGrrrl](#): > > When you get tired of waiting, you can speed up the process. > > manly way: with a heat gun > metrosexual way: with a blow dryer > > These two devices are pretty much the same thing. It’s all about the marketing. Actually, heat guns are hotter than blow driers. [Link from Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_gun): > [@](#): > > [Heat guns] typically output air at temperatures ranging from 100-550°C (200-1000°F) with some hotter models running around 760°C (1400°F). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrosting-a-fridge-in-a-manly-way/490569.md?page=2)