Which refrigerator is better, know frost or drip?

Refrigerators that had to be turned off once a month, emptied of food, waited for the ice to thaw, washed, dried, and then in reverse order are becoming a thing of the past. They have been replaced by new modern models, not burdened with such a dubious “option”.

And since we do not purchase refrigerators as often as other household appliances, we need to approach their selection with knowledge of some nuances, because volume, appearance and ergonomics are not the entire list of features of this unit. The main thing you need to decide on is the principle of condensate removal. Today, there are two main cooling systems: No Frost and a drip (or weeping) system.

According to the basic principle of operation, these two types of devices are identical. The walls contain a refrigerant, freon gas, which, using the pressure created by the compressor, changes its state of aggregation from liquid to gaseous, as a result it takes heat from the evaporator, and the evaporator already cools the interior of the refrigerator.

But this aspect of the unit’s design is of greater interest to technical specialists. Regular users are mainly concerned with performance characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze in detail the various performance indicators of both types.

Drip refrigerator

In a drip refrigerator, moisture condenses on the back wall, into which the evaporator is built, and when the compressor stops working, the water thaws and flows down a groove into a special container, where it evaporates. A device of this type has both useful properties and disadvantages.

Advantages of drip refrigerators

• An undoubted advantage is the maximum preservation of moisture in products, which makes it possible to store them without special packaging.
• It has a more affordable price range.
• The range of models is much wider than that of the non-freezing “opponent”.
• There are no fans, which means less noise.
• There are no fans, which means less power consumption.
• spacious chambers.

Cons of drip refrigerators

• A drip refrigerator cannot provide high cooling intensity; the temperature in it is restored slowly after opening the door.
• There is (although not along the entire back surface) a wet wall, against which you should not push food, they will either get wet or freeze

Attention! The back wall of such a refrigerator cannot be washed while it is in operation. You should also avoid using abrasive cleaners and metal sponges.

• A “fur coat” forms in the freezer compartment, so once every six months the refrigerator still has to be unplugged and freed from the snow captivity.
• The temperature in the refrigerator compartment is uneven, and the temperature at the bottom may differ by several degrees from the temperature at the top.
• The groove through which condensate flows onto the evaporator sometimes gets clogged and has to be cleaned, because otherwise water will get into the lower compartments of the refrigerator.

Refrigerator no frost

The No Frost cooling system (literally “without frost”) was developed relatively recently and has gained recognition in countries with humid climates.

Its fundamental difference is in the forced circulation of air inside the refrigerator chamber due to the operation of fans, which maintains a uniform temperature throughout the entire volume. The air from the chambers enters the cooler, where condensation accumulates in the form of frost. When the compressor turns off, all moisture drains into a special tray.

Pros of No Frost refrigerators

• The uniform temperature inside the refrigerator compartment makes it possible not to worry about the distribution of products depending on their storage temperature.
• Quick temperature recovery after opening the door.
• Quick freezing of products in the freezer compartment, which helps preserve their beneficial properties to a greater extent; in addition, the bags in which they are stored practically do not stick together, as happens in a more humid environment.
• A small amount of condensation on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment and inside the freezer.
• Does not require defrosting.

Important! Despite the last of the listed arguments being a positive thing, we still cannot forget about hygiene and from time to time give the refrigerator a “sanitary day”

Cons of No Frost refrigerators

• The main disadvantage of the No Frost system is that the circulating air, leaving moisture on the cooler, becomes dry and tends to increase its humidity, taking it from products that are not properly packaged and drying them out. They lose their appearance, taste, etc.; you won’t store food in such a refrigerator for future use.
• A more complex design makes such refrigerators less spacious and limited in volume.You can, of course, choose a large two-door model, but this is only if the dimensions of the kitchen allow it.
• High cost compared to a conventional drip refrigerator.
• Due to the operation of fans, the energy intensity of the unit increases, and operation becomes more expensive.
• Again, because of the fans, such models are considered noisier.

Differences between Drip and No Frost

Currently, the market offers the widest range of refrigerators of both types; the choice is complicated by a number of other characteristics: the number of chambers, compressors, and the presence of other additional options.

But when choosing the type of defrosting, the following indicators should be compared together:

• price;
• ease of care;
• energy consumption class;
• noise level;
• volume inside the refrigerator;
• quality of food preservation.

These indicators are exactly what distinguishes you when choosing between a drip refrigerator and a No Frost refrigerator.

Summarizing

By comparing all the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems, we can identify leaders and outsiders in different characteristics:

• Those who cry definitely win in terms of price, although this is not significant for everyone.
• They also have a wider range.
• It is easier to care for refrigerators that do not require No Frost defrosting.
• They also produce more noise and consume more electricity.
• As for repairs, it is more difficult for craftsmen who are faced with a more cunning No Frost scheme, although both types of refrigerators are subject to repair.

But storing food in one unit or another is a matter of taste. Those who like to tightly pack their food in plastic, but at the same time do not think about where it is colder and where it is warmer in the refrigerator, will, of course, choose No Frost.Those who prefer to tear off a frozen bunch of parsley or a piece of polyethylene from the back wall, but do not worry about forgetting to cover the yogurt with a lid, will certainly opt for a drip refrigerator. In addition, it will fit much more food supplies.

For those who are not ready for such a compromise, today there are already combined types of refrigerators. Some models can combine both systems. The refrigerator compartment of such a unit is “crying,” while the freezer compartment operates on the No Frost principle.

Having weighed all the pros and cons, choosing “your” refrigerator to your liking and what you can afford, you can enjoy your choice for a long time when the whole family gathers around your pet in the evening!