The principle by which the defrosting system operates is a fundamental factor in choosing a refrigerator and freezer. The practicality of the entire device and the general usability of it depend on it.
More recently manufacturers did not pay due attention to the problem of the formation of large amounts of frozen condensate on the internal surfaces of the refrigeration equipment. Such freezers often had to be turned off, waiting for the frost and ice to melt, which could be a lot, and only then wash the camera from the inside and restart the device.
In the hot season, such manipulations had to be repeated several times a month, which was time-consuming and often caused food spoilage.
With the introduction of models equipped with special systems to prevent the formation of frost in the refrigerator chambers, such problems have become irrelevant.
Content
What are the defrosting systems
In fact, the choice of existing options for implementing defrosting systems is not so great, dealing with them is not difficult. Currently, there are only two main technical solutions:
- drip thawing;
- defrosting No Frost.
Before giving any recommendations, for a better understanding, you should consider them in more detail.
Drip thawing
Currently, such a system is the most common in refrigerators, especially in budget models.
The principle of operation is simple. An evaporator is installed in the back of the equipment, which is a thin serpentine tube mounted in the metal plates of the radiator. The evaporator acts as a cooling element. In the process, it heats up and, thus, the ice formed on the inside rear wall of the unit melts at the moment of stopping compressor and gradually (drop by drop - hence the name of the defrosting system method) flows into a special tank.
Advantages
The main advantages of the drip system include:
- low cost;
- simplicity of the device;
- convenience of service;
- work in full automatic mode without human intervention;
- long trouble-free operation.
disadvantages
The drip method of defrosting refrigeration equipment also has several disadvantages. They must be taken into account when using devices built on this principle. First of all, these are the following factors:
- The system appears to be inoperative at a negative operating temperature of the camera. Because of this, such devices do not work on freezing equipment, and they must be defrosted manually.
- High humidity inside refrigerators due to periodically flowing down moisture.
- The temperature between the upper and lower compartments in upright refrigerators may vary significantly. Sometimes this difference can reach 5-6 ° C. This feature is often used by practical housewives: perishable products are installed upstairs, and those that need to be stored at a slightly higher temperature (for example, vegetables and herbs) are placed down.
The most common malfunction of these modifications of defrosting devices is a clogging of the drain hole. This defect is eliminated quite simply on its own - the accumulated dirt is carefully removed with a thin soft wire.
No Frost System
The drip defrosting systems were replaced by more advanced and complex ones, which include a set of isolated devices, the operation of which allows you to use refrigeration equipment for a long time without downtime.The need to turn off devices equipped with No Frost systems arises for their cleaning and washing, and not because of the need to remove ice and frost.
The principle of operation of such systems is much more complicated than that of drop counterparts.
The evaporator is a separate unit, which in most cases is installed at the very bottom of the device or between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer. Using special fans, air circulation inside the working chambers is achieved. The moisture contained in the air is pumped into the evaporator and, instantly cooling, settles in it in the form of the thinnest ice crust. At a certain time, set by an electronic relay, the compressor stops and heating elements that melt the ice and evaporate water are turned on.
After the cycle is repeated again and again to infinity.
Advantages
- full automatic defrost;
- the ability to work at subzero temperatures;
- fast temperature recovery;
- uniform cooling in all areas of the device.
disadvantages
The main disadvantages are due to the increased amount of auxiliary equipment. It follows from this:
- rise in price of the whole structure;
- decrease in usable volume;
- increased compared to the drip system, Energy consumption;
- theoretically increased risk of malfunction (in practice, No Frost is no less reliable drip defrosting systems).
Some owners of No Frost refrigerators increase the volume of work after some time of operation. This is usually associated with circulation fans. Functioning in conditions of high humidity and low temperature requires their additional maintenance - lubrication or even replacement. However, only a master with special skills can perform this procedure, since this requires partial disassembly.
Make a choice
A significant role in the choice determines the budget.
If you have enough money, then it is certainly better to buy No Frost or Low frost. Such refrigerators and freezers require minimal intervention in the work, as convenient and practical as possible.
The fact of increased electricity consumption is not so significant, most owners did not even feel a significant difference when paying electricity bills.
It is often believed that No Frost dries foods very much. Yes, this is true, but this phenomenon is characteristic of all refrigerators without exception.
Another common misconception that No Frost systems are harmful to humans. This statement has no justification and has nothing to do with reality. Many manufacturers, on the contrary, apply a special antibacterial coating on the inner surface of the equipment for the possibility of long-term safe use.
When funds are not available in the proper amount, there is nothing left to do but to get a drip type refrigerator. In this case, do not be very upset. Yes, its operation is associated with certain manipulations to remove excess fluid, but it does not require much effort. For places with a dry climate, this procedure will be performed quite rarely, since the surrounding air does not contain an excess of moisture.
The only caveat: in this case, it is better to pay attention to two-compressor models, because they provide the ability to turn off individual sections of the refrigerator. In this case, it is not necessary to turn off the unit completely during defrosting of the freezer when removing excess ice and accumulated hoarfrost.
In any case, the refrigerator is an extremely necessary household appliance, which should be purchased in the first place.
My sister and I decided to buy a new refrigerator and which does not need to be defrosted. We took a hotpoint and did not regret it. It does not seem cumbersome, but rather compact and roomy, which is very convenient.