Almost every refrigerator includes a freezer and a refrigerator. Each of them has its own purpose. As a rule, the refrigerator compartment is much larger than the freezer and is designed for short-term storage of certain products. A freezer is necessary for long-term storage of products that are stored for a long time or stored only at sub-zero temperatures (for example: meat, herbs, minced meat, dumplings, etc.). Why does the freezer need to be defrosted and how often should it be defrosted? It's worth looking into this.
What types of defrosting systems are there?
During operation, snow deposits and frost form in refrigeration equipment. Defrosting helps get rid of the problem. For the freezer compartment, manual defrosting and the No Frost system are used, for the refrigerator compartment - automatic (drip or No Frost). Older refrigerator models sometimes have manual technology.
Why do you need manual defrosting of the freezer?
Moisture from the air and food placed in the freezer accumulates on the walls and freezes, so frost and ice constantly form inside the chamber . If it does not have an automatic defrosting system, the unit is defrosted manually.
Defrosting is considered the main aspect of refrigeration equipment maintenance. What is manual defrosting of the freezer? To defrost the unit, it is disconnected from the network and freed from ice and snow through natural thawing. The water is removed, the equipment is washed and wiped.
If the chamber is not defrosted, the frozen layer begins to play the role of an insulator, since it has a lower heat transfer coefficient. As a result, the following problems arise:
- in older models of units, where the freezer is placed on top, the refrigerator compartment gradually freezes, which leads to spoilage of the food in it;
- if ice is ignored for a long time, the walls become covered with a thick layer of ice, as a result, the volume of the chamber decreases;
- the frozen layer slows down the cooling of the air, which changes the operating mode of the cooling system and leads to its overload;
- due to increased load, equipment wears out faster, the risk of failures and breakdowns increases, and the service life of household appliances is reduced;
- The operating time of the compressor increases, which increases energy consumption and leads to additional financial costs.
Ignoring ice in the freezer for a long time can lead to more serious consequences. As a result of the increased load, there is a risk of damage to the wiring and fire.
The procedure is carried out every 6 or 12 months, the frequency depends on the refrigerator model and operating conditions. If the unit is equipped with high-quality thermal protection, and the door is rarely opened, it is defrosted after a significant period of time. Old units with average use in winter are cleared of ice once every 3 months, in summer - once every 2 months.
What is automatic refrigerator defrosting and how does it differ from manual defrosting?
Next, we’ll tell you what it is—automatic defrosting of the refrigerator compartment. The first type is a drip system . It is used in most modern models and only in refrigerators. It is simple and effective. The evaporator (cooling element) is located behind the rear wall of the unit, with a drain installed underneath it. When the compressor operates, ice forms. When it stops working, the ice melts and the drops flow down the drain. From it, water flows into a special bath, which is located on the motor; there it evaporates. This happens gradually and imperceptibly.
The No Frost automatic refrigerator defrosting system is equipped only with the freezer or the refrigerator and freezer compartments - this depends on the model of the equipment. The evaporator is located behind the back wall of the unit or at the top of the freezer. A special fan is installed inside the chamber to ensure the movement of cold air. As a result, snow deposits do not form in it. Frost appears on the evaporator that is hidden from the user. Then the fan stops working and the heater turns on. Under its influence, the melted liquid flows into the pan along the grooves. There it evaporates.
Reference. Freezers with the No Frost system are gradually replacing standard models on the market. But they also have disadvantages. Unlike equipment with manual defrosting, they consume more electrical energy due to fan operation. A mechanism installed behind the rear wall reduces the chamber capacity by approximately 20 liters. Units with an automatic defrosting system are more expensive than conventional refrigerators.
Manufacturers of household appliances with the No Frost system recommend turning off the unit once a year for a day, leaving it with the door open. Since the ventilation, air supply and moisture removal systems are closed by the structure, ice may form there. By complying with this requirement, the user reduces the risks:
- premature failure of equipment;
- food spoilage due to incorrect temperature conditions;
- increasing electricity consumption.
Some models of modern refrigerators with manual defrosting are equipped with high-quality thermal insulation, which allows them to be defrosted once a year. Therefore, they are not inferior in ease of handling to equipment with the No Frost function, which is also recommended to defrost.
Choosing between No Frost and drip system
The budget plays a significant role in the choice.
If you have enough money, then it is certainly better to buy No Frost or Low Frost. Such refrigerators and freezers require minimal intervention and are 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 their electricity bills.
There is often an opinion that No Frost dries out food too much. Yes, this is true, but this phenomenon is characteristic of all refrigerators without exception.
Another common misconception is that No Frost systems are harmful to humans. This statement has no basis and has nothing to do with reality. Many manufacturers, on the contrary, apply a special antibacterial coating to the inner surface of the equipment to allow long-term safe use.
When funds are not available in sufficient quantities, then there is nothing left but to purchase a drip-type refrigerator. At the same time, you shouldn’t get too upset. Yes, its operation involves certain manipulations to remove excess liquid, but this 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 while defrosting the freezer to remove excess ice and formed accumulations of frost.
Video: which refrigerator to choose - No Frost or drip system
Which refrigerator should you choose? NO FROST or drip system?
Watch this video on YouTube
Video: which is better - drip defrosting or No Frost
What is better - drip defrosting or No Frost?
Watch this video on YouTube
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Why manual defrosting of the freezer is a disadvantage
Automatic defrosting in the refrigerator occurs regularly. A freezer without a No Frost system is cleared of ice and snow manually.
There are models that have two temperature regulators - one for the freezer and the other for the refrigerator. In this case, it is possible to defrost the freezer compartment separately. To preserve frozen foods at this time, they are placed in the refrigerator. If there is only one regulator, the equipment is completely defrosted. The procedure is carried out 1-2 times a year, in older models more often - 1 time every 2-3 months.
How to quickly and correctly defrost a freezer
Although different models are generally similar in the principle of care and defrosting, they have some features. It is worth considering in advance where to move the food: put it on the balcony or in another cool place, put it in cold water, wrap it in paper or foil, or put it in the working chamber.
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With automatic and manual defrosting
One of the types of refrigerators is semi-automatic. The main chamber of the refrigerator is equipped with a No Frost system, and the freezer is equipped with a regular drip chamber. This requires manual defrosting.
It is impossible to predict exactly how quickly it will be possible to defrost a freezer separately from the first compartment in a two-chamber refrigerator. This depends not only on the degree of icing, but also on the temperature in the room where the household appliances are installed. The process may take several hours.
With drip system
Defrosting a refrigerator using a drip defrosting system takes a lot of time. The standard scheme - turn off the electricity, empty the shelves of products and wipe them separately - is supplemented by several hours of waiting until all the ice melts and flows onto the placed trays and rags.
It is recommended to periodically wipe the chamber walls with a rag or sponge soaked in hot water. Thawed compartments must then be wiped dry. Products should not be prepared immediately. It is better to give the chambers time to freeze, and after loading the products, do not look inside again - this way the temperature will return to normal faster.
No Frost System
Defrosting of such models differs from those presented earlier. Cleaning a refrigerator with an auto-defrosting system does not require long manipulations or waiting for the ice to thaw.
There is no need to specially defrost the chambers; simple wet cleaning is sufficient as follows:
- disconnect the refrigerator from the network;
- empty the chambers of products;
- remove all internal components (shelves, grilles, drawers) and wash them thoroughly;
- wipe the cameras with a dry cloth, collecting debris and wiping off condensation;
- re-walk over the entire surface with a rag or sponge soaked in a soapy solution with the addition of soda or lemon juice;
- Clean the ventilation holes with cotton swabs;
- wipe with a clean damp cloth and leave the device to dry with the doors open;
- put the dried shelves back in place and fill them evenly with food;
- connect the refrigerator to the network.
Important: You should not turn on the device earlier than half an hour from the start of cleaning - a sharp pressure drop will affect the operation of the motor.
The temperature inside is restored quickly after switching on.
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How to defrost a refrigerator with a manual defrost system
Cleaning the refrigerator from ice and snow is carried out at room temperature. It is disconnected from the network, food is taken out of the chambers, containers and pieces of fabric are placed on the shelves in which melt water will accumulate. Wait for natural defrosting.
Large pieces of ice that fall off are thrown away. Then wash the unit with soapy water. The detergent must not contain chlorine, strong alkalis or acids. After the procedure, the surface is thoroughly wiped.
Advice. If you have free time, leave the equipment for 2-3 hours until moisture is completely removed from inaccessible places.
After drying, the products are returned to the shelves and the device is connected to the network.
In summer, minor glaciation thaws in 2-3 hours, more severe glaciation thaws in 6-8 hours. In winter or in a cool room, the process takes much longer. In order not to wait several hours for natural defrosting, accelerating procedures are used:
- They use heating devices - hair dryers, heaters, heat guns, etc., which are installed at a safe distance. The internal parts of the refrigerator are not designed to withstand high temperatures, so this method is used carefully. The permissible heating value is +60°C. To speed up the process, a fan is additionally installed.
- Blow with air at room temperature. This reduces the defrosting time by 2 times in the summer. A fan is used to create air flow.
- Plastic bottles with warm water and lids with holes are placed in the chamber. The method is effective and fast - the unit is cleared of ice in 10-15 minutes. Do not use boiling water.
- To defrost by steam, place several containers of hot water in the refrigerator and close the door. The larger the container and the higher the temperature of the liquid, the faster the process. To speed up the process, the water is periodically changed to hotter water.
Defrosting is carried out when the equipment is minimally loaded with food. To preserve them in cold weather, they are taken out to the balcony or placed in the cellar. When this is not possible or it is warm outside, other storage methods are used. For example, they wrap food in plastic bags, fold it tightly together and cover it with a warm blanket. In this way, a thermal insulation layer is created that will not allow them to thaw for several hours.
If it is possible to warm the products to the temperature of cold water, the bags are lowered into a container with liquid. It is desirable that it be flow-through. This is how fish, meat and semi-finished products are preserved. Ice is also used for storage. It is poured into a container, into which bags of food are then placed.
Important ! During defrosting, you should not break off the ice with your hands or use foreign objects - a knife, scraper, spatula, etc. The refrigerator body is not designed to withstand such loads. A small scratch can cause damage.
How to speed up defrosting
How to quickly defrost a refrigerator if you are in a hurry and need to activate this process?
- Place a heating pad or plastic bottle with hot water inside the freezer, periodically changing the contents of the container.
- Or place a pot of boiling water in the freezer.
- Spray hot water on the frozen walls every 15 minutes.
- You can direct the hot air of a hairdryer to snowy areas, while observing safety precautions. Make sure that the dryer is at a good distance and the cord does not come into contact with water.
- Using a rag soaked in boiling water, blot the resulting build-up. To avoid getting burned, use rubber gloves.
