The time has long passed when the owners were guided only by their own capabilities when buying a refrigerator. It is much more difficult for the current consumer to decide. After all, the modern technology market offers such a wide selection that the buyer often falls into a stupor. The most insoluble dilemma goes something like this: "Know frost" or a drip refrigerator? Which is better and why?
To answer this question, let's figure out what exactly are the features of each of the systems, consider their advantages and disadvantages, and also compile a small rating of the best refrigerator units.
Difference between drip and refrigerator Know Frost
Today in home appliances stores you can find just a huge selection of brands and models. However, all of them can be divided into just two diametrically opposite groups:
- with drop cooling;
- No frost
Each of the systems has both its advantages and disadvantages, which we will talk about a little below. In the meantime, let's figure out how one system is fundamentally different from another.
The principal differences lie in the very scheme of operation of the unit. Refrigerator "No Frost", as the name implies, works "frost-free". Although "frost", or rather sub-zero temperature, is certainly present in it, in such a unit you will never see caps of frozen snow and icicles hanging from the ceiling of the freezer. This is because its design provides for a special air circulation system, which is provided by fans hidden inside the case. With such a cooling system, the walls will always remain dry, which means that the snow coat will simply have nowhere to come from.
The drip cooling system is completely different. The back wall of such a refrigerator is an evaporator, on the walls of which condensate forms - moisture released when the products are cooled. After a while, so much liquid accumulates that the refrigerator starts to "cry". Drops slowly drip into a special tray, from which they evaporate again after a while. The process is cyclical and, in general, practically does not require any user participation. Although, with such refrigerators, an incident sometimes happens. If you don't wipe the inside too thoroughly, the drain hole can become clogged over time. In this case, you risk finding an unpleasant puddle, for example, under a box of vegetables.
To make the choice even easier, let's highlight the most significant pros and cons of each system.
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Drip system
Advantages:
- Due to the lack of built-in fans, refrigerators with such a system have a slightly larger internal chamber volume.
- A wide selection of models, which means that their cost can vary significantly depending on other parameters.
- Most of these models are practically silent in operation.
- Due to the presence of a smaller number of energy-consuming elements in the design, they are slightly more economical.
Disadvantages:
- Requires periodic defrosting at least 2-3 times a year.
- Improper care can create an unpleasant "pool" inside the cooling chambers.
- Once the door is opened, the drip-cooled refrigerator takes much longer to warm up.
- If the operating parameters are incorrectly set, then the condensate on the back wall may freeze, and you will have to defrost it even more often.
- The temperature in the chamber is not evenly distributed: the top is warmer than the bottom. This must be taken into account when placing products.
TOP 3 best refrigerators with a drip system
- ATLANT XM 6025-031
- Gorenje RK 41200 E
- Indesit ST 167
See also - What is the Know Frost system in the refrigerator?
Refrigerators with No Frost system
Advantages:
- Unlike the previous type, the No Frost system can boast of the same temperature throughout the chamber, excluding specially designated freshness zones.
- Defrosting such a refrigerator is a necessary thing, but extremely rare. It is enough to carry out this procedure only once a year for prevention.
- Such a unit does not require any maintenance except for the hygienic wiping of the shelves.
- No Frost has a record freezing speed of food.
- Reactivates the set temperature literally a few seconds after opening / closing the door.
- This system is most suitable for use in freezers.
Disadvantages:
- As a rule, these models of refrigerators are slightly more expensive.
- Due to its design features, the internal volume of the chamber is slightly less than that of the "crying" brothers.
- The presence of fans in the cooling system assumes slightly noisier operation.
- Since there are more energy-consuming nodes in the system, it "eats" a little more electricity.
Attention! In No Frost refrigerators, you can sometimes notice a small amount of condensation on the back of the chamber. However, in comparison with the drip version, its amount is minimal and indicates that you kept the refrigerator door open for a long time or placed foods with very high humidity in the chamber.
TOP 3 best refrigerators No Frost
- Samsung RB-30 J3200EF
- LG GA-B499 YAQZ
- BEKO RCNK 310K20 W
Know Frost: myths and reality
In addition to the listed advantages and disadvantages, there are some prejudices associated with the dry cooling system. Let's discuss some of them, and find out how the situation really is.
Unpleasant odors and fast drying of food
Some housewives believe that due to the air circulation provided by the fans, the food can become “weathered” and dry out a little, and unpleasant odors from fish or onions can spread faster throughout the chamber. This is quite controversial.
- Leaving food open, even in the refrigerator, is simply not hygienic.
- If you put harsh-smelling foods in a bag or special container, no odors will be scary.
- Almost all vegetables and fruits are much better stored in the presence of airflow, because high humidity leads to a natural decay process.
No Frost does not require defrosting at all
This statement is still not true. Of course, you need to unfreeze Nou Frost so rarely that you shouldn't even talk about it. But this is still necessary at least for reasons of hygiene. It is almost impossible to thoroughly wash and disinfect a working unit.
A "dry" refrigerator is hazardous to health
This myth is based on the fact that some special, especially dangerous refrigerant is used for the operation of refrigerators of this type. This is not true. Both the compressors and the refrigerant for their operation in both types of refrigerators are the same. The only difference lies in the application of the same air that we breathe every day.
In addition, the features of any cooling system are such that the refrigerant is in a hermetically sealed system and does not affect the environment at all.
There are no "Know Frosts" with large cameras
Of course, the fans take up some space, but it is not so critical. In the end, when choosing a model, you can simply buy a refrigerator higher or wider, focusing specifically on the internal volume of the chamber.
The refrigerators of this system are very noisy.
On the one hand, this is true. But if you are not too tight-lipped in funds, give preference to newer and more expensive models that are equipped with excellent noise insulation. Such a refrigerator will work even quieter than a drip refrigerator.
"But frost" consumes more electricity
But this, in general, is not a myth. Non-freezers really draw more electricity. However, the difference is so small that it probably won't make a big hole in your budget. This is especially true for the models of the current year.
Tips for choosing and ranking the best
Well, a few more tips for those who go to choose a refrigerator. In order not to be mistaken with the choice, you need to look at the situation a little more broadly. It is not enough just to decide on the type of refrigerator. You also need to pay close attention to other parameters:
- the cost of a specific model;
- the limiting dimensions of the unit that your kitchen can accommodate;
- energy saving level;
- availability of a "dry freeze" system, if needed;
- internal equipment, the presence of a sufficient number of shelves, drawers and compartments;
- design solution;
- the presence of a door re-hanging system;
- the ability to quickly and easily get warranty service, availability of service centers.
We present to your attention some of the best refrigerators according to users and experts:
LG GA-B489 TGRF
An excellent design unit equipped with the latest linear inverter compressor. It is able to significantly save power consumption. The design includes the Opti Temp system, which allows you to set the optimum temperature of your choice. There is also a zero temperature zone, which allows you to keep meat and seafood for a long time. Extremely spacious and technologically advanced unit, it works almost silently.
Liebherr CBNef 4815
Super economical refrigerator of A +++ energy class, which cannot be called too budgetary. The model has a mixed type of cooling: drip for the refrigerating chamber and "no frost" - for the freezer. There is a super freezing and super cooling system, protection from children and it is possible to autonomously maintain the set temperature when disconnected from the network for up to 24 hours. It works very quietly, no more than 38 dB.
Gorenje RK 6201 FW
One of the good budget models, characterized by increased capacity and high quality. The cooling type is drip, so the refrigerator is very quiet. It can autonomously keep cold up to 30 hours. There is a built-in air ionizer that keeps food fresh for longer in a jam-packed refrigerator. Energy consumption class A +.
Bosch KGV39XK23
An excellent refrigeration unit at a fairly affordable price. Two-chamber refrigerator with a No Frost cooling system and a useful volume of the cooling chamber of 257 liters. For those who like to freeze food for future use, a spacious 351 liter freezer is also available.
There is an additional drawer of vegetables, herbs and fruits with separate regulation of the humidity level. If necessary, the refrigerator doors can be moved to a convenient side, the shelves are made of impact-resistant glass.
- if you want comfort, you have to pay - No Frost is more expensive, but more convenient
- see no reason to overpay for minor discomfort during defrosting - we buy a drip
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