Apparatus and a method for providing a combination of non-reverse and reverse defrost for a refrigeration circuit are disclosed. A three-way valve is provided for initially circulating hot gaseous refrigerant directly from the compressor to the heat exchanger requiring defrost. An intermediate header is provided as part of the internal circuiting of the outdoor heat exchanger, said intermediate header serving to direct hot gaseous refrigerant from the three-way valve into all of the circuits of the outdoor heat exchanger simultaneously to effect defrost thereof. If, after a predetermined time period, the first mode of defrost directing hot gaseous refrigerant directly to the outdoor heat exchanger fails to accomplish defrost then the three-way valve is returned to its original position and the system is operated in a second defrost mode with the reversing valve being changed such that the system operates in the cooling mode and the outdoor heat exchanger serves as a condenser until defrost is completed. During the first mode of defrost, a liquid line solenoid valve is used to prevent the flow of refrigerant between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger.