A method of and apparatus for defrosting an evaporator (16) in a cooling system are provided. The cooling system includes a compressor (12), a condenser (14), an evaporator and a refrigerant that is circulated in sequence from the compressor to the condenser, to the evaporator and back to the compressor during routine operation of the cooling system. The method and apparatus comprise shutting offthe flow of the refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator through the condenser while continuing to operate the compressor so as to apply suction to the refrigerant in the evaporator and thereafter directing compressed refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator while bypassing the condenser and continuing to shut off the flow of the refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporatorthrough the condenser.