No, manually defrosting a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer by leaving the power on and opening only one of the doors is not an effective method. When you open only one door and keep the power on, the refrigerator and freezer compartments will still be connected, and the cooling system will continue to run. As a result, the frost and ice inside the freezer will not thaw completely.
Manual defrosting typically involves turning off the refrigerator/freezer, emptying the contents, and allowing the ice and frost to melt naturally. Here's a general step-by-step guide on how to manually defrost a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer:
Turn off the refrigerator: Unplug the refrigerator from the power outlet or turn it off using the circuit breaker if there is no dedicated power switch.
Empty the contents: Remove all food items from the refrigerator and freezer compartments. You may want to place perishable items in a cooler with ice packs to keep them cold during the defrosting process.
Open the doors: Keep both the refrigerator and freezer doors open to allow warm air to circulate and speed up the melting process. Place towels or absorbent cloths around the base of the unit to catch the melting ice.
Speed up the defrosting process: You can place a bowl of hot water inside the freezer to help expedite the melting of ice. Never use sharp tools or utensils to chip away the ice, as this can damage the refrigerator's interior and cooling elements.
Clean the interior: Once all the ice has melted, wipe down the interior of the refrigerator and freezer with a mild soap solution to remove any residue.
Restart the refrigerator: Once the appliance is completely dry, plug it back in or turn on the power supply. Allow it to cool down for about 30 minutes before returning the food items to the compartments.
Keep in mind that the defrosting frequency and method can vary depending on the model of your side-by-side refrigerator/freezer. Refer to the user manual or contact the manufacturer for specific defrosting instructions for your appliance. Some modern refrigerators come with automatic defrosting features, eliminating the need for manual defrosting.