Yes, you can keep food in the fridge while you defrost the freezer. In fact, it's a good idea to store perishable items like food in the fridge during the defrosting process to prevent them from spoiling or reaching unsafe temperatures.
When you defrost the freezer, the temperature inside the freezer will rise as the ice melts. This can cause the temperature inside the freezer to go above freezing, which may lead to the thawing of frozen food items.
By moving your perishable items to the fridge, they will remain at a safe and cool temperature while you defrost the freezer. The refrigerator compartment is designed to maintain temperatures between 34°F to 40°F (1°C to 4°C), which is ideal for keeping your food from spoiling.
It's essential to plan ahead when defrosting your freezer, especially if it's a manual defrost freezer that requires you to turn it off to remove the ice buildup. Make sure to remove all the food items from the freezer, place them in the fridge, and allow ample time for the freezer to defrost completely before turning it back on and returning the frozen items. This process may take a few hours to several hours, depending on the amount of ice buildup in the freezer.