Defrosting a freezer without turning it off can be done manually by following these steps:
Remove contents: Start by removing all the food items from the freezer and place them in a cooler or another freezer to keep them cold during the defrosting process.
Unplug the freezer: For safety reasons, unplug the freezer from the power outlet. This will ensure that you don't accidentally injure yourself while manually defrosting the freezer.
Prepare towels and containers: Place towels or absorbent cloths at the bottom of the freezer to catch any melting ice and water. Additionally, have some containers or bowls ready to collect the water that will result from the defrosting process.
Open the freezer door: Keep the freezer door open to allow the warm air to circulate inside, speeding up the defrosting process. You can also use a fan to facilitate air circulation.
Speed up defrosting: To expedite the process, you can use a hairdryer on the lowest heat setting to gently blow warm air onto the ice buildup. Maintain a safe distance from the ice to avoid damaging the freezer walls or any plastic components.
Remove ice manually: As the ice starts to melt, use a plastic or wooden spatula to gently chip away the remaining ice. Be careful not to use sharp or metal tools, as they can damage the freezer's interior.
Clean the interior: Once all the ice has melted, wipe down the interior of the freezer with a clean cloth to remove any remaining water and debris.
Close the door and plug it back in: Once the freezer is completely defrosted and dry, close the door, plug it back into the power outlet, and set it to your desired temperature.
Return food items: Put the food items back into the freezer once it has reached the desired temperature and is operating normally.
Remember that manual defrosting can be time-consuming and may need to be done periodically, depending on the freezer's frost buildup. If your freezer has a self-defrosting feature, it will periodically remove frost buildup automatically, saving you the effort of manual defrosting. However, if your freezer is a manual defrost type, following the above steps will help keep it running efficiently.