New Delhi, Jan. 7 -- Who likes doing chores, especially if they involve emptying the fridge head to toe? 5 simple things can help you defrost your fridge smartly after ice has built over quietly, layer by layer, until suddenly the freezer door refuses to shut or a tub of ice cream feels welded to the back wall. It's mostly during these moments that cooling becomes uneven, fan sounds slightly strained, and vegetables in the crisper aren't lasting as long. You don't think of it as a "technical issue", just a minor household annoyance.

Most people rush the process. They unplug the fridge, swing the doors wide open, and expect the ice to surrender quickly. It rarely does. A fridge full of cold, trapped air responds better when given time to ...