UPDATED: September 2023NEWS

Can Chest Freezers Be Frost Free?

Sorry to disappoint you, but the answer is no. But why?

Why Are Chest Freezer not Frost Free?

The very cold interior temperatures prevent the usual methods of making a fridge-freezer frost free - usually heating elements that switch on periodically to clear frost build up.

First let's get an overview of the problem and then we'll look at some ways to make defrosting less of a chore.

Why Ice Builds Up in the First Place

Condensation from (non-frozen) food you've just put in there and from warmer air entering when you open the door, introduces moisture which will freeze and create frost and ice.

The moisture generally finds its way to the coldest area, which after a while is going to be the ice already formed. Hence the build-up gets bigger.

How Frost-Free Appliances Work

A frost-free appliance uses heating elements to melt ice build-up every so often. This means the internal temperature will rise during this process, though it should never get warm enough to totally thaw any food.

A chest freezer needs to keep food at a constant -18 degrees Celsius so this heating method is not suitable.

We have also in the past seen chest freezers that have fans inside to remove the warm air and moisture but they only reduce frost build-up, not eliminate it. They are also noisier and use more energy.

Preventative Measures

First, some simple tips on using the freezer properly to prevent frost build up as much as possible.

Looking for a chest freezer that has a front drain port - when you do have to defrost (about twice a year according to most manufacturers), it will be a lot easier to remove the water when the drain port is easily accessible
To limit moisture build up, when using the freezer don't keep the lid open for too long or keep opening and closing it
When placing new food in the freezer, ensure it is cool and properly wrapped or stored in suitable containers to keep moisture from escaping to the freezer compartment. It will also keep food fresher
Don't overfill the freezer so as to restrict air flow

Find more energy efficiency advice here.

Defrosting Advice

Manufacturers recommend defrosting twice a year. Here are some tips to make that process less painful.

Try and plan some time in advance so that you have as little food as possible in there - it will of course need to be removed and will thaw
Remove all contents, wrap in newspaper and store safely in a fridge, another freezer or a cool larder - it will need to be out for a few hours
If you don't have another fridge or freezer to keep the food in: a few hours before defrosting set the cooling to MAX if possible so that the food is as cold as possible
Place containers of warm water inside the freezer to speed up the melting process
Don't scrape any ice off with anything other than a dedicated freezer ice scraper
When defrosted, run the freezer for a couple of hours before putting the food back in

Search for Freezers with a Front Drain

If you are looking for a new chest freezer, pick one with a front drain port to make defrosting as hassle-free as possible.

Front Drain Freezers

References
https://home.howstuffworks.com