How To Clean Exploded Pop In Freezer

If you accidentally forgot your pop was in the freezer and found that it has exploded, you will have a mess on your hands. So how do you clean the mess a frozen pop makes when it explodes in the freezer? Let's take a look at your best option below.

In order to clean an exploded pop in your freezer, follow these steps:

1. Place frozen food in a cooler.
2. Remove freezer racks and shelves.
3. Lay a towel at the freezer opening.
4. Pour hot water over the frozen spills.
5. Wipe out the melted liquid.
6. With warm water and baking soda or vinegar, clean the freezer.
7. Scrub the area vigorously and wipe dry.
8. Put frozen food back in the freezer.

Cleaning an exploded pop can be a pain, but you can get the job done quickly and easily with this guide! In this article, we will explain in detail how to clean your freezer from the frozen mess. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about why pop explodes in the freezer, so keep reading!

Pop Exploded In The Freezer - Now What?

If you're reading this, chances are you've had a frozen pop explode in your freezer. And now you're standing there, looking at the sticky mess and wondering what to do next.

The problem is not only that pops contain sugar which can attract ants and other pests but also that the mess is very difficult to clean. In addition, the worry is about what to do with the other food that's already in the freezer.

Here's a step-by-step guide on what to do when your pop explodes in the freezer:

1. Place Frozen Food In A Cooler

When removing the food from the freezer, you have two choices: leave the fridge plugged in or unplug it. If you choose to unplug it, make sure all the food is transferred to a cooler immediately. In addition, you will then have to wait for the freezer to get to room temperature before you can start cleaning it.

Then when you plug the freezer back in, you will have to wait for the temperature to drop again before putting any food back in. This process can take up to 24 hours, so it's best to leave the fridge plugged in if you're in a hurry.

Unplugging the freezer is only a good plan if you have a backup freezer or fridge where you can store the food. If not, it's best to leave the freezer plugged in and working.

Either way, when you take the food out of the freezer, stack it in a cooler and top it with ice packs. This will help to keep the food cold and stop it from going bad.

2. Remove Freezer Racks And Shelves

The next step is to remove all the removable parts from the freezer. This includes the shelves, racks, and drawers. If possible, put them in the sink and run hot water over them until the ice has melted.

If you can't remove the racks and shelves, then don't worry about it. Just make sure you clean them thoroughly later.

3. Lay A Towel At The Freezer Opening

Once all the removable parts are out, lay a towel at the bottom of the freezer door. This will help to catch any water that drips out when you start to melt the ice.

4. Pour Hot Water Over The Frozen Spills

Now it's time to start melting the ice. The best way to do this is to pour hot water over the frozen areas. You can use a kettle or a pot of boiling water for this.

Start by pouring a little bit of hot water and then wait a few minutes to see how much ice has melted. If it's not melting fast enough, then you can add more hot water.

Just be careful not to pour too much water at once, as this could cause the ice to melt too quickly and create a puddle of water inside the freezer.

5. Wipe Out The Melted Liquid

Once most of the ice has melted, use a cloth or paper towel to soak up any remaining liquid. If the spill is large, you may need to use a mop or sponge to make sure you get all of it.

In addition, you can use a bucket or a pot to scoop out any melted water that has pooled at the bottom of the freezer.

6. Clean The Freezer With Baking Soda And Water Or Vinegar

Now that the worst of the mess has been cleaned up, it's time to give the freezer a good scrub.

Start by mixing some baking soda and hot water together, and then use a sponge or cloth to wipe down all the surfaces. If you're using vinegar, make sure to dilute it with water first.

If you don't have baking soda or vinegar, then you can mix hot water with a few drops of dish soap.

7. Scrub And Wipe Dry

Once you've scrubbed down the freezer, rinse it off with clean water and dry it with a towel.

8. Put Everything Back And Turn On The Freezer

The last step is to put all the removable parts back in the freezer and turn it on (if applicable). If you unplugged the freezer earlier, make sure the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit before putting any food back in.

And that's it! Your freezer should now be clean and ready to use. So one positive out of this fiasco is that you now have a clean freezer!

Why Did The Pop Explode In The Freezer?

Pops mostly contain water, so when they freeze, they push out the carbon dioxide that is dissolved in the water. If there is too much pressure, the pop will explode.

The CO2 that is in the pop naturally wants to escape the liquid, but it is trapped because of the lid on the pop. So when the water in the pop starts to freeze, the molecules in the CO2 expand, causing the pressure to increase in the can until it eventually explodes.

Will Plastic Soda Bottles Explode In The Freezer?

Yes, plastic soda bottles can explode in the freezer. This is because water expands when it freezes, which can cause the bottle to rupture.

To avoid this, make sure you leave some headspace in the bottle before you put it in the freezer. This will allow the water to expand without putting too much pressure on the bottle.

In addition, you can set a timer to remind you to check on the bottles before they get to the freezing point. Most of the time, people put pop bottles in the freezer so they can speed up the cooling process. However, what usually happens is people forget about them, and they end up exploding.

Set a timer for 30 minutes to 1 hour to prevent this from happening. This will give you enough time to take the bottles out of the freezer before they explode.

Does Pop Lose Its Fizz When Frozen?

No, pop does not lose its fizz when frozen. The freezing process does not affect the carbon dioxide, giving it a fizzy taste. Instead, the CO2 becomes more concentrated when the liquid freezes, which is why frozen pop often has more fizz than regular pop.

However, if you leave a bottle of pop in the freezer for too long, the pressure can build up and cause it to explode. As long as the can or bottle isn't ruptured, the pop should still taste just as fizzy when it's frozen and then thawed.

Why Does Pop Explode When Frozen, But Not Alcohol?

The main difference between pop and alcohol is that pop is mostly water, while alcohol is mostly ethanol. Ethanol has a lower freezing point than water, so it can remain in a liquid state even when the temperature is below freezing.

This is why alcoholic beverages won't explode in the freezer like pop will. The ethanol prevents the liquid from freezing solid, so the pressure can't build up and cause the container to burst.

In addition, pop has carbonation added to it, which also increases the pressure inside the can or bottle.

So if you're looking for a beverage that won't explode in the freezer, alcohol is your best bet. Just don't forget to check the label to make sure it doesn't have high sugar content, as this can cause it to freeze solid.

Final Thoughts

Now you know why pop explodes in the freezer and what you can do to prevent it. Just remember to leave some headspace in the bottle or can, set a timer, and check on the beverages every so often.

If the accident does happen and your pop explodes, don't worry. Just clean up the mess and make sure the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit before putting any food back in the freezer.

Wait, don't leave yet! Here are other articles that you might find interesting:

How To Clean A GE Dishwasher Filter

How To Clean A Cuisinart Pressure Cooker Lid

Do Amana Dishwashers Have Filters? [And How To Clean Them]