Defrosting a Bosch No Frost refrigerator: instructions with photos and expert advice

• 🔄 The evaporator freezes —it is hidden behind the back panel of the freezer. Ice accumulates on it slowly, but inevitably, especially if you often open the door or store loosely closed products.
• 💧 The drainage system becomes clogged —condensate flows through special channels, but over time, grease, dust and mold accumulate in them. This leads to puddles under the vegetable boxes.
• 🦠 Bacteria multiply —even at -18°C, organic deposits remain on the seals and in microcracks in the plastic, which become a source of odor.
• ⚡ Energy consumption increases — a layer of ice on the evaporator worsens heat transfer, and the compressor works longer to maintain the set temperature.

In models Bosch s LowFrost (for example, KGN39XW25R) ice forms more slowly than in classical systems, but defrosting is still required. And in refrigerators with NoFrost (series KIN86**) the main problem is not visible ice, but clogging of the drainage hole in the freezer compartmentwhich leads to ice under the drawers.

⚠️ Attention: If in In the freezer compartment Bosch No Frost ice has appeared at the bottom under the drawers - this is a sign of a clogged drainage channel. Simple defrosting will not help: after defrosting, you need to clean the hole manually (instructions in the "Cleaning the drainage" section).

Preparation for defrosting: what needs to be done BEFORE turning off the refrigerator

Improper preparation can lead to food spoilage, damage to the floor, or even breakdown of the refrigerator. Follow this checklist:

Place all perishable foods in a cooler bag

Unplug the refrigerator from the outlet (NOT through the button!)

Remove all shelves, containers and drawers

Put absorbent wipes under the refrigerator or towels

Prepare warm water, a soft sponge and cleaning product-->

Pay special attention to the products:

• ❄️ Freezer: transfer everything to a thermal bag with cold accumulators. If you don’t have a bag, wrap the food in several layers of newspaper and place it in a basin covered with a blanket. This will extend the defrosting time by 2-3 hours.
• 🥦 Refrigerator compartment: fruits, vegetables and sauces can be temporarily stored in a cool place (for example, on the balcony in winter). It is better to put dairy products and meat in a cooler bag.

Important: do not place food on the windowsill in direct sunlight - this will speed up spoilage. Optimal temperature for temporary storage: +4...+10°C.

Step-by-step instructions: how to defrost a Bosch No Frost refrigerator

The defrosting process takes from 4 to 12 hours depending on the amount of ice and the temperature in the room. Do not try to speed it up with a hairdryer or hot water - this may damage the seals and plastic.

Step 1: Shutdown and initial defrosting

1. Unplug the plug from the socket. Do not use the button on/off - this may disrupt the settings of the electronic unit.
2. Leave the doors open. In models Bosch s NoFrost (for example, KIN86VF30R), ice accumulates mainly in the freezer compartment, so its door can be opened wider.
3. Wait 2-3 hours. During this time, the surface ice will melt and you can remove the shelves for cleaning.

Step 2: Removing ice and water

• 🧊 For large pieces of ice, use plastic scraper (not metal!). In models Bosch the plastic of the camera is thin and easily scratched.
• 💦 Remove water with a soft sponge or rag. Do not pour water on the floor - absorb it immediately.
• 🔧 If ice has accumulated on the back wall of the freezer (typical for LowFrost), do not try to pick it off. Wait for complete thawing (6–8 hours).

Step 3: Cleaning the drainage hole

In refrigerators Bosch No Frost the drainage hole is located:

• B refrigerator compartment —on the back wall, under plastic panel.
• In freezer compartment —under the drawers, in the corner (covered with a plug).

For cleaning:

1. Remove the plug (carefully pry it off with a screwdriver).
2. Rinse the hole with warm water using a syringe or syringe without a needle.
3. Clean the channel with wire (diameter no more than 3 mm).
4. Fill into the hole 50 ml of soda solution (1 tablespoon per glass of water) for disinfection.

Step 4: Washing and drying

After removing the ice:

• Wash all shelves and containers in warm water with detergent (for example, Somat or Cillit Bang).
• Wipe the walls of the chambers with a solution of vinegar (1:1 with water) or a specialized product for refrigerators (Topperr, Unicum).
• Pay attention to the seals - wipe them with ammonia (1 tablespoon per glass of water) to remove mold.
• Dry the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. In models Bosch s NoFrost moisture evaporates faster, but it is better to dry the freezer with a hairdryer (cold air!) for 10-15 minutes.

⚠️ Attention: Do not turn on the refrigerator if there is moisture left on the seals. This will lead to icing and loss of tightness. In models Bosch with electronic control (series KAN92**), wet seals can cause an error E24 (problem with the temperature sensor).

How long does it take to defrost the refrigerator Bosch?

The time depends on three factors: the model of the refrigerator, the amount of ice and the room temperature. Below are approximate data for popular series Bosch:

To speed up the process:

• 🌬️ Point the fan at the open freezer (cold air!). This will reduce the time by 20–30%.
• 🚪 Close the refrigerator door if there is only ice in the freezer - this way the heat will not be wasted on heating the empty space.
• 🧊 Place a heating pad with warm water in the freezer (temperature no higher +40°C).

Do not use for acceleration:

• ❌ Hot air dryer - will melt the seals.
• ❌ Boiling water - can damage the plastic and cause deformation of the shelves.
• ❌ Knives or forks for chipping ice - there is a risk of puncturing the freon tube.

Typical mistakes when defrosting and how to avoid them

Even experienced users make mistakes that shorten the life of the refrigerator. Here are the most common:

1. Using sharp objects to remove ice.
   

   In models Bosch the evaporator is located close to the inner wall. Piercing the ice with a knife can damage the freon line, which will lead to a refrigerant leak (repair will cost 8-15 thousand rubles).

2. Turning on the refrigerator immediately after defrosting.
   

   If you do not wait until the moisture has completely evaporated, condensation will form on the seals, which will then freeze. In electronic models (KIN86**) this may cause an error E22 (problem with the defrost sensor).

3. Ignoring cleaning the drainage hole.
   

   In 70% of cases there is an unpleasant smell in the refrigerator Bosch No Frost occurs due to clogged drainage. If it is not cleaned, water will accumulate under the drawers, and ice will accumulate at the bottom of the freezer.

4. Use of aggressive detergents.
   

   Chlorine-containing products (for example, Domestos) destroy plastic and rubber seals. For Bosch it is better to use specialized products (Topperr 3101) or a vinegar solution.

⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators Bosch with the function VitaFresh (freshness zone), you cannot use products with a strong odor (ammonium, bleach). They are absorbed into plastic and spoil the taste of food. To clean such an area, use baking soda.

Another common mistake is improper drying of the seals. If they are not wiped dry, they will lose elasticity and no longer seal tightly. As a result:

• The refrigerator will take longer to gain temperature.
• Frost will appear on the back wall (even in models No Frost).
• The compressor will work non-stop, which will shorten its life.

What to do after defrosting: startup and setup

After complete drying:

1. Reinstall all shelves and containers. Check that they are level - distortions can disrupt air circulation.
2. Connect the refrigerator to the network In models with electronic control. (KIN86, KAN92) after switching on, the indicator Al (alarm) may light up. This is normal - it will go out after 1-2 hours.
3. Set the temperature:
   • Refrigerator compartment: +4...+5°C (optimal for VitaFresh).
   • Freezer compartment: -18°C (in models with SuperFreezing first activate this mode for 6-12 hours).

If. refrigerator Bosch after defrosting:

• 🔊 It makes a loud noise —check that the back wall is not touching the furniture. In models with NoFrost the fan may make noise for the first 30 minutes - this is normal.
• ❄️ Not freezing — make sure the door is tightly closed. In electronic models, check the settings (the mode may have gone wrong).
• 💡 The indicator is flashing —see error code in the instructions. For example, E15 means a problem with the freezer sensor (diagnostics required).

How often do you need to defrost the Bosch No Frost refrigerator?

The manufacturer Bosch claims that refrigerators No Frost do not need defrosting. However, in practice it is recommended to adhere to the following intervals:

Signs that defrosting is needed ahead of schedule:

• 🔊 The refrigerator began to make louder noise than usual (the fan No Frost is working for wear).
• ❄️ Frost appeared on the back wall of the freezer (even thin layer).
• 💧 Water accumulates under the vegetable drawers.
• 🦠 A persistent unpleasant odor has appeared that cannot be removed by ventilation.

In models Bosch with function AutoDefrost (automatic defrosting) the ice on the evaporator melts on its own, but the drainage system still needs to be cleaned manually 1-2 times a year.

⚠️ Attention: If the refrigerator Bosch No Frost started to freeze ice on the back wall of the freezer more than once every 3 months, this is a sign of a malfunction. Possible reasons: failure. defrosting sensor, clogged capillary tube or freon leak. In this case, diagnostics by a specialist is required.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about defrosting Bosch No Frost refrigerators