Our homes come with a lot of odors and some of them are hard to get rid of. Unpleasant odors find their way into the freezer and reach all corners and shelves of the freezer over time. The bacterium that develops and lives in the freezer causes this odor, and it can contaminate all the food not packed in airtight containers. Here are some factors that cause a foul odor in the freezer:
1. Power failures or fluctuations
The food in the freezer may not be stored at the ideal temperature if there are frequent power interruptions. This makes the food go bad and causes bacteria to thrive in the freezer, resulting in odors. In such cases, the stored food may not stay fresh until the expected expiry date and might produce a foul smell.
2. Ice maker
When the ice cubes have a funny taste or a smell, the ice maker is the source of the odor. The water in the ice maker could be contaminated and could contain bacteria that build up easily due to the moisture. Cleaning the ice maker prevents the odor from spreading to other parts of the freezer. Refreshing the ice trays often by using ice quickly, and removing the ice bin or tray if it is not used regularly are helpful tips to banish freezer odor.
3. Spoiled food
Food stored in freezers has to be cooked properly and stored in airtight containers or bags. Some foods like greens and broccoli need only light cooking before storage, but starchy vegetables, cereals, and stuffed items should be fully cooked. Food stored in the freezer should be checked regularly and disposed of at the first sign of spoilage. Otherwise, the odor spreads to the whole freezer.
4. Spillage and scraps of food
Spillage and scraps of food, fruits, vegetables, or meat that get collected in the corners and the back walls behind the bins and shelves go unnoticed for a long time if the freezer is not cleaned thoroughly. This causes the unpleasant odor to spread to the entire freezer and all the stored food.
5. Unsealed food
The flavor and odor escape from food that is not sealed in proper bags or containers, and this could spread to all the other contents of the freezer. Such odors from food may not be unpleasant, but they are very dominant and fill the freezer, greeting us each time we open it.
6. Freezer burn
Freezer burn occurs when food in the freezer is improperly frozen, and a common sign of this is ice crystals on the food packet. A tip to prevent freezer burn and banish the odor is to use the food soon after purchasing or store it in airtight packs.
7. Unclean drip pan
The water that collects in the drip pan over time should be drained regularly as an odor can emanate from stagnant water. The drip pan also collects dirt and small insects, so it should be cleaned regularly. It is the last place we look for odors, but it is quite likely to be the culprit, and cleaning it is the easiest tip to banish freezer odors.