We try to use high-quality and fresh products for cooking. The quality of products depends on their proper storage. And if in ancient times people invented all kinds of methods and devices to extend the life of products, now every housewife is helped in this by a freezer. It happens that there are doubts whether the products stored in the freezer are so safe, because opening it you can feel an unpleasant odor. How to get rid of the smell in the freezer - read on.
The smell in the freezer: how to clean and why it arises
Does it stink out of the freezer? One of the reasons for the unpleasant "aroma" is that you ignored the requirements for the storage temperature of the product. The average degree of food storage in the freezer reaches 18 ° C. Of course, each product has its own freezing temperature, for example:
- vegetables, berries and greens are frozen at a temperature of -18 ° C, the so-called “quick freeze” method, in which these products remain as useful as possible;
- meat and seafood are frozen at temperatures from - 20˚ to - 35˚ С;
- it is better to freeze dough and semi-finished products at temperatures from - 25˚ С.
The smell in the freezer: how to clean and why it arises
An unpleasant odor may appear not only due to a violation of the temperature regime. The reason may be a mismatch in the shelf life of the products. So, if fresh meat can be stored in a freeze for up to 12 months, then mushrooms are only 6 months old, and fish even less - up to 3 months.
Storing food in a carton can cause odors in the freezer. It is cardboard that, when freezing, creates a repulsive odor in the entire freezer. It is also not recommended to store products without using packaging at all. It is better to use plastic bags, containers for this.
That's right - store food in the freezer in a special storage container
It happens that, following all the above rules, it is not possible to avoid the stated problem, in this case, do not forget that often interruptions in the supply of electricity are the cause of temporary defrosting of products, which may well lead to the appearance of a smell. Since it is not possible to deal with this problem, in the event of a similar situation, it is better not to rush to freeze food again, but to try to restore order as much as possible in the chests of freezers. The likelihood of an unpleasant odor in this case will noticeably decrease.
Among other things, it is important to be able to distinguish between the nature of the unpleasant odors that have arisen, since this is often the case when the source of the bad aroma is not spoiled foods, but not a properly working chamber. In this case, the smell will be with a pronounced chemical aftertaste, and it will hardly work out to confuse it with food. To cope with this problem will help immediately called the installer of refrigeration equipment.
Odor absorbers for the refrigerator: the main types and how to use them
Removing the smell from the freezer is quite simple, but first you need to know that modern models of freezers are equipped with the No frost function, which helps to some extent protect the camera from the appearance of an unpleasant odor.But even freezers with this function are recommended to be washed twice a year.
Now on sale there are special products that protect refrigeration equipment from the appearance of smell, in addition, such products are absolutely harmless and easy to use. Of course, we are talking about odor absorbers, which are represented by such species as:
- silica gel filled beads;
- granular absorbent, which includes activated carbon;
- gel-based odor absorber containing lemon juice;
- crystalline absorbent based on sea salt.
Odor removers for refrigerators sold in household goods stores
Not so long ago, a special device for removing odor in a refrigerator or freezer appeared - an ozonizer, which in addition to eliminating odor is equipped with a disinfecting function. This device works on batteries.
You can buy odor absorbers for a refrigerator or ozonizer in large household chemical stores or in the online store. But do not rush. Conventional odors will help defeat an unpleasant odor. The undoubted advantages of folk recipes to combat odor in the freezer include their low price and easy availability, but in comparison with chemical agents, their duration is much shorter.
Folk recipes to eliminate unpleasant odors in the freezer
One of the most popular recipes for a freshener in a refrigerator is the use of coffee beans. Since coffee exudes a rather strong and at the same time pleasant aroma, and absorbs all other odors, it is precisely the housewives who often use it if it is necessary to quickly refresh the refrigerator. To do this, you need to place several grains in an open container, and then place them in the freezer for several hours. By the way, not only coffee grains, but also coffee grounds can be used as a flavoring, having previously dried it.
Coffee beans help to quickly remove unpleasant odors in the refrigerator
Salt and sugar have good absorbent properties, and if you put them in the freezer for a while, the unpleasant odor will quickly disappear. It is important to remember that with this method it is necessary to mix salt and sugar in equal proportions and leave the mixture for a couple of days in the freezer.
The secrets of using spices in cooking and medicine have long been known, but experienced housewives have found new uses for them. A mixture of ginger and cloves should be put in a bag made of natural fabric and placed in a freezer. Such a mixture will help to remove a bad smell for a long time.
Cloves and other spices fill the freezer with a wonderful aroma
Ordinary lemon will not only cure household members of colds, but also relieve unpleasant odors in the freezer. To do this, slices of lemon, spread out on a saucer, will be placed in the freezer. However, when using lemon, it is worth changing lemon slices in time, preventing them from mold and starting to rot, which will not only not relieve the stench, but will also aggravate the situation.
To defeat unpleasant odors, you can rinse the freezer with a weak solution of acetic acid or ammonia. To prepare such a disinfectant in warm water, you need to add a couple of drops of vinegar or ammonia. Also, do not forget to wash the vinegar solution after washing the freezer, and then lay out the products.
If there is absolutely no time, the freezer will be freshened with a tea bag, because the particles of tea have good absorbency.
Prevention of unpleasant odors in the freezer
In order not to bring the situation with a terrible aroma from the refrigerator to a critical level, it is better to prevent refrigeration equipment in advance. To do this, you must:
- make sure that foods placed in the freezer are always fresh;
- clean spoiled products on time and monitor their expiration date;
- smelling foods such as fish should be carefully sealed;
- defrost and thoroughly rinse the freezer several times a year;
- be sure to use odor removers, both chemical and natural;
- Check the rubber seal on the chamber door, as an unpleasant odor may lurk on its internal walls due to accumulating liquid.
Frozen fluid in the seal is a source of bad odor
As you can see, it is not difficult to carry out hygiene of the freezer, and the pleasant aroma and fresh appearance of the products will create a good mood and set you up for new culinary victories in the kitchen.
