How To Find And Unclog The Defrost Drain On Your Kenmore Upright Freezer

If you have a Kenmore upright freezer, you may notice some water leaking from the bottom of the freezer or some ice buildup on the freezer floor. This could be a sign that your defrost drain is clogged or frozen. The defrost drain is a small hole that allows the melted frost to drain into a pan under the freezer during the defrost cycle. If the drain is blocked by food particles, ice, or debris, the water will overflow and leak out of the freezer or refreeze inside the freezer.

A clogged or frozen defrost drain can cause several problems for your freezer and your food, such as:

• Reduced freezer efficiency and increased energy consumption
• Increased frost accumulation and reduced storage space
• Spoiled or freezer-burned food due to temperature fluctuations
• Water damage to your floor or cabinets due to leaks

To prevent these issues, you should regularly check and clear your defrost drain. In this post, we will show you how to find and unclog the defrost drain on your Kenmore upright freezer and why it matters.

The defrost drain on your Kenmore upright freezer is located at the lower back panel inside the freezer. You can unclog it by removing the panel, melting any ice with hot water or a hair dryer, and flushing out any debris with a turkey baster or a pipe cleaner.

How to find the defrost drain on your Kenmore upright freezer

The defrost drain on your Kenmore upright freezer is usually hidden behind a back panel inside the freezer. To access it, you will need to do the following steps:

• Unplug your freezer from the power outlet or turn off the circuit breaker that controls it.
• Empty your freezer of all food items and store them in another freezer or a cooler with ice packs.
• Remove any shelves, drawers, or baskets from your freezer to create more space.
• Locate the back panel inside your freezer. It may be secured by screws or clips that you need to remove with a screwdriver or a plier.
• Carefully pull off the back panel and set it aside. You should see some silver coils that look like a radiator. These are the evaporator coils that cool your freezer.
• Look for a small hole below the coils in the middle of the back wall. This is your defrost drain.

How to unclog the defrost drain on your Kenmore upright freezer

Once you have located the defrost drain, you can unclog it by using one of these methods:

• Hot water method: Boil some water in a kettle or a pot and pour it into a large measuring cup or a pitcher. Carefully pour some hot water into the defrost drain, being careful not to spill it on the coils or yourself. The hot water should melt any ice and flush out any debris in the drain. Repeat this process until you see water flowing freely into the drain pan under the freezer.
• Hair dryer method: Plug in a hair dryer and set it to low or medium heat. Hold it about 6 inches away from the defrost drain and blow hot air into it for about 10 minutes. The heat should melt any ice and loosen any debris in the drain. Use a turkey baster or a pipe cleaner to push out any remaining debris from the drain.
• Turkey baster method: Fill a turkey baster with warm water and squeeze it into the defrost drain. The water pressure should dislodge any debris in the drain. Repeat this process until you see water flowing freely into the drain pan under the freezer.

FAQs

Q: How often should I check and clear my defrost drain?

A: You should check and clear your defrost drain at least once every six months, or more often if you notice any signs of clogging or freezing, such as water leaks, ice buildup, or poor cooling performance.

Q: How do I prevent my defrost drain from clogging or freezing?

A: You can prevent your defrost drain from clogging or freezing by following these tips:

• Keep your freezer temperature between 0°F and 10°F. If your temperature is too low, it can cause excessive frost buildup and freeze your drain. If your temperature is too high, it can cause food spoilage and bacteria growth that can clog your drain.
• Avoid overfilling or underfilling your freezer. If your freezer is too full, it can block the air circulation and cause frost buildup. If your freezer is too empty, it can cause temperature fluctuations and condensation.
• Clean your freezer regularly. Wipe down any spills or crumbs that may fall into your defrost drain. Vacuum or dust off any dust or lint that may accumulate on your coils or fan.

Q: What if I can’t unclog my defrost drain by myself?

A: If you have tried the methods above and still can’t unclog your defrost drain, you may need to call a professional technician to inspect and repair your freezer. There may be a problem with your defrost heater, defrost timer, or defrost thermostat that prevents your freezer from defrosting properly.

Conclusion

Unclogging the defrost drain on your Kenmore upright freezer is an easy and important task that can help you keep your freezer running efficiently and your food frozen and safe. The defrost drain is located at the lower back panel inside your freezer, and you can unclog it by melting any ice and flushing out any debris with hot water, a hair dryer, or a turkey baster. We hope this post has helped you learn how to find and unclog the defrost drain on your Kenmore upright freezer and why it matters. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below.