Modern technologies make life much easier, but do not completely eliminate work. Equipment no frost means without frost. In fact, frost appears, but thaws according to a special sensor. This gives the impression of no freezing. Many housewives are interested in whether they need to defrost a No Frost refrigerator. Even such an innovative system needs timely cleansing.
Equipment no frost
Refrigerators full no frost
The operating principle of a modern refrigerator is not complicated. In a full-fledged No Frost design, the evaporator is located on the rear wall of the freezer. It is responsible for cooling the freezer and refrigerator compartments. Next to the evaporator there is a system of air channels through which air passes into the chamber. As a result, cooling occurs.
The temperature in the refrigerator compartment is regulated using a special damper. Behind the evaporator there is a heating element heating element that performs defrosting. While the compressor is operating, the evaporator gets frost on the walls. The heating element is connected according to the sensor signal. As a result, the ice begins to thaw. And then the liquid goes into a special container and evaporates.
Important!
There is no ice in refrigeration compartments with a no-frost system. And the snow begins to melt when the heating element is turned on.
Refrigerators full no frost
Free frost refrigerators
A refrigerator with a no frost system with partial functions requires special care. In one of the chambers there is a crying evaporator. It is located behind the back wall and cools the refrigerator compartment.
Defrosting occurs automatically. Defrost is performed while the compressor is stopped. At this time, frost appears on the back wall. Then the liquid flows into the drainage hole and is discharged through the drain into a special container, where evaporation occurs.
In any of the units with the know frost system, manual defrosting is not required.
Is it necessary to defrost a Know Frost refrigerator? Dispelling myths
Myth 1
You can find information on the Internet that defrosting a no frost refrigerator is required once a year. Is this true and how often do you really need to defrost the refrigerator? The operation of equipment with such a system is highly efficient. In a working unit, practically nothing freezes. Some models can work for several years without shutting down or defrosting. According to experts, equipment with know frost requires periodic cleaning. It is necessary to promptly remove garbage, as well as wipe the shelves and walls of refrigerators. As a result, the equipment will take on a well-groomed appearance, and there will be no unpleasant odor inside the chambers. Before you start cleaning, you should turn off the device.
Myth 2
Another myth is that equipment cannot be started after cleaning for at least an hour. The reason for this may be pressure equalization, but it is not that complicated. When the compressor is turned on, the refrigerant is under pressure and when turned off, it cannot immediately equalize. A high level of pressure is maintained in the discharge tube. Under such conditions, the engine may not start, and the compressor will simply fail. Problems may arise with older models. Therefore, it is important to let the equipment stand for 10-20 minutes.
Modern units are additionally equipped with relays with protection. When disconnected from the electrical network, this device will not allow the engine to start immediately. In this case, the connection can be made immediately after cleaning.
Step-by-step instruction
Step-by-step instructions are suitable for all types of devices: single-chamber, double-chamber, equipped with the No Frost system, etc.
Step 1
Turn off the refrigerator. If you don't do this, the ice will never be able to thaw.
Step 2
Empty the refrigerator of food and groceries. To prevent frozen foods from thawing, wrap them in towels or paper and place them in a box with another cloth on top. Store this in the coolest part of the kitchen, away from direct sunlight.
Step 3
Remove boxes, trays and racks. Take them to the bathroom to wash them later. It is much more convenient to do this there than in the kitchen sink.
Step 4
Locate the drain hose. Some refrigerators have this emergency hose and it usually goes under the freezer. See if you can find it. Pull it forward and direct the water away from the refrigerator. It is best if you lower it into some container, such as a basin.
Step 5
Prevent puddles from forming. Place old newspapers around the base of the freezer to absorb water as the ice thaws. They are ideal for this job as they are extremely absorbent. You can use kitchen towels or a floor rag instead. This is especially important if you have laminate flooring.
Step 6
Select defrosting method. There are several ways to defrost a refrigerator, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. These are the options:
1. Defrosting without acceleration is the traditional method. This is a fairly slow process, especially if you live in a cold area and your house is poorly heated, but it is also the safest way. It may take you about 5-6 hours for the ice layer to thaw.
2. If you don’t want to wait that long, then use a regular hairdryer. It is completely safe to use a hair dryer to defrost your freezer, as long as you take some basic precautions. Make sure you are standing far enough away from the water puddle so that the cord does not touch the water.
You should also keep the end of the dryer away from the coils or sides of the refrigerator, as the heat can damage the unit. High temperatures can also damage the plastic inside the refrigerator, so be careful. There is no need to bring the hot stream too close.
3. Instead of a hair dryer, you can use a fan. It can help circulate warmer air into the freezer, but this only works if your room is warm enough. This won’t help much, but it will speed up the process by an hour and a half to two hours.
4. Place the dishes with hot water on the shelves. This is a wonderful method that even our grandmothers know.
It involves placing bowls or pans of hot water on a shelf and closing the refrigerator door. The steam should melt the ice very quickly and in about 20-30 minutes you will be able to completely free the refrigerator from ice. Provided that it is small, and this is possible if you defrost regularly and do not allow severe icing. This is a good method for everyone, but hot dishes can damage plastic shelves. To reduce the likelihood of damage, place a folded towel under the pan.
5. Use a hot cloth to speed up the process. You can use a rag soaked in very hot water to melt the crust.
Step 7
Remove the ice. As soon as it moves away, pry it up with your hand or a wooden spatula. Do not use sharp objects such as a knife to remove pieces of ice. This can damage the refrigerator and even cause a gas leak, because its walls are quite thin.
Step 8
Blot up any resulting water. Use paper towels or rags that are highly absorbent. Leave them in the chamber for a short time until all the ice is gone and the water stops flowing.
Step 9
Clean the refrigerator. You should take this opportunity to disinfect it once again.
Step 10
Dry the refrigerator before turning it back on. You can use a hairdryer or wipe with a cloth, but keep it as dry as possible. If you turn on the device and there is moisture inside it, a new crust of ice will form on it very quickly.
Step 11
Check the rubber seals. If they have dried out and gaps have formed on them, then this is precisely the reason for the rapid freezing of ice.
To make rubber seals last longer, you can lubricate them with silicone grease.
Or, as a last resort, refined sunflower oil. This prevents the rubber from drying out and helps maintain a strong grip when the door is closed.
This must be done, since a small play not only provokes ice, but also gradually damages the compressor. Any device is designed to reach the desired temperature in the refrigerator and turn off, and in this case, it is deprived of the opportunity to “rest”.
Step 12
Defrost more often. Naturally, why and how often should you defrost the refrigerator?
Firstly, a thick crust of ice greatly wears out the compressor. Why is this happening? But because the ice blocks the access of cold air to the motor and the device “thinks” that it is not yet cold enough inside. And, as a result, it catches up and catches up with the cold, naturally, with the help of a motor.
But it is absolutely not designed for such a load, and the more it works continuously, the faster it will come to an end.
Secondly, due to the constant operation of the compressor, your refrigerator uses many times more electricity than a new or recently defrosted one.
That's all the basic steps. Now you have a rough idea of how often you should defrost your refrigerator.
And now we invite you to familiarize yourself in more detail with some of the features of defrosting different types of refrigerators, as well as with the technical aspects of their operation.
Operating principle of defrosting refrigerators
Before you wash your Know Frost refrigerator, you need to learn about the features of its operation. The device has two defrosting systems. Depending on the design, drip or wind defrosting is used. The No Frost unit performs defrosting automatically and does not require human intervention. The refrigerator can use either a full or partial defrosting system. In the first case, the mechanism is present in one of the chambers, and defrosting is carried out using the drip method. In a complete system, all cameras are used, and defrosting is carried out according to the wind type.
Important!
Some models combine two defrosting systems at once.
Drip
All equipment owners need to know how to defrost a Know Frost refrigerator with a drip device. The condensate settling on the evaporator begins to melt after the equipment is turned off. The liquid enters the reservoir, from where it evaporates with the help of warm air.
The system has the following advantages:
- Affordable cost of equipment.
- Protection against frost formation.
There are also some disadvantages. The drip system can be used in cold rooms. To quickly defrost, you must turn off the equipment.
No frost
Windy
In equipment with such a mechanism, the evaporator is located behind the rear wall of the device. Cold air is pumped using a special fan. Upon contact with the fan, the air turns into condensation and settles on the walls.
In this case, the refrigerator stops working, the heater starts, and condensation disappears from the surface. Then the cycle repeats again. Among the advantages, it is worth noting the absence of freezing of surfaces.
Cleaning and odor removing products
Before you start defrosting and cleaning your refrigerator, decide which detergent you will use.
• German antibacterial agent Topperr 3102, environmentally friendly and non-toxic. It cleans, removes odors, and prevents the formation of bacteria on refrigerator surfaces. It does not require water to use. The cleaner can be purchased separately or in a set with an odor absorber and two napkins.
• Italian cleaner Electrolux E6RCS104 cleans the internal and external surfaces, effectively removes dirt of any complexity, does not require rinsing.
• Italian cleaning product WPRO FRIR00 safely copes with complex stains, has a pleasant citrus smell and does not contain chemical odors.
• Soda solution. Prepared from ordinary baking soda (one tablespoon per liter of warm water). A weak alkali dissolves contaminants and cleans the surface.
• Acidic solution. For a liter of warm water you need to take three tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice. Eliminates foreign odors and discolors yellowed stains.
When everything is prepared, the refrigerator is defrosted and the melt water has been removed, remove all shelves and drawers. They need to be washed, wiped and dried separately. It is more convenient to wash large items in the bathroom, since they are unlikely to fit in the kitchen sink.
How often should the procedure be performed?
A No Frost system refrigerator should defrost once every 10-12 months. Defrosting removes frost and cleans all surfaces. Periodic defrosting is a useful procedure for all models. A short stop in the operation of the equipment allows the system to rest. When you turn off the device, you can perform a full cleaning. If electrical networks often fail, then for preventive purposes, it is recommended to defrost once every four months. It will take approximately 12 hours to defrost the equipment.
Important!
If a large amount of frost has formed in the no frost refrigerator, it is worth checking it and finding faults. The problem may be a leak in the seal.
General recommendations
During the defrosting process, you should rely on the following recommendations:
- Do not defrost in hot weather. Temperature surges negatively affect the operation of the compressor.
- It is necessary to carefully study the instructions.
- The equipment should be started no earlier than 12 hours after shutdown.
Some models provide convenient defrosting of individual chambers. You can wash the freezer first, and then the other compartments.
Convenient defrosting of individual chambers
How long does it take
It is difficult to say how long it takes for a refrigerator to defrost; it depends on the model and the thickness of the ice layer. Modern appliances with automatic defrosting systems should thaw in 2-3 hours. Older models may take longer - up to 12 hours. Previously, many housewives left the refrigerator open at night. If the layer of ice is large and the kitchen is cold, the process can take up to a day.
Sometimes the question arises as to how to speed up defrosting. This is required if there is no time or there is a risk of food spoilage. But experts do not recommend interfering, as it could damage the equipment.
Important! Quick defrosting is only possible if the rules and recommendations are followed, otherwise the equipment may be damaged.
Defrosting process
Defrosting refrigeration equipment is best done in cool weather. It is better to leave the shutdown for the evening, so that the device can work again in the morning.
Defrosting process
Preparatory stage
Before defrosting, the following activities are carried out:
- Turning off the equipment.
- Emptying the refrigerator of all products.
- The doors must be opened.
- All provisions must be sorted out and spoiled and rotten products must be selected.
- Removable elements must be dismantled.
- Inside the compartments you need to lay out fabrics that will absorb moisture.
To gain access to the rear of the cabinet, the equipment must be moved away from the wall.
How to defrost
It takes two days to completely defrost. During this time, the frost will disappear even in hard-to-reach corners of the equipment. The unit can defrost on its own, but at this time you need to clean the equipment:
- To clean the ventilation holes, you need to prepare a solution of two liters of water and three tablespoons of soda.
- Using the same composition, you can wipe all internal surfaces and drawers.
- Use a toothbrush to clean rubber seals.
- External surfaces are treated with a product that does not contain abrasive components.
- The back surface can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.
Additionally, all surfaces are treated with an antibacterial composition. Before turning on the refrigerator, you must wipe it with a dry cloth.
Final stage
Only a well-washed and dry unit can be connected to the network. Then all the shelves, drawers and containers are put into place.
What do we need?
No special preparation is required to defrost Samsung refrigerators. But you will have to allocate the time it will take to wet clean the cells and inspect the contents.
Need to prepare:
- baking soda;
- a small container of water for preparing a soda solution;
- container for collecting melt water;
- liquid or gel for washing dishes (can be replaced with washing powder or shavings of laundry soap);
- toothbrush;
- toothpaste;
- sponge for cleaning;
- soft cloth;
- dry rags;
- antibacterial spray for the kitchen;
- gloves;
- large basin for soaking refrigerator components.
If there is no roomy basin, the removable parts can be soaked directly in the bathroom, having previously prepared a soap solution.
You may also find it helpful to learn how to remove scratches from your refrigerator.
Ways to speed up defrosting
There are several ways to help perform quick defrosting:
- The warm jet of the fan heater can be directed inside the chamber.
- Place a container of warm water in the refrigerator.
- Using a regular hair dryer.
- Placement inside the heating chamber.
- The inner walls can be sprayed with hot water using a spray bottle.
Most manufacturers do not recommend speeding up the procedure. This will extend the service life of refrigeration equipment.
Rules
- Do not carry out the procedure of completely cleaning the household appliance and disconnecting it from the power supply for a long time if the room where the unit is located is too hot (cold). Temperature changes can negatively affect the performance of the compressor.
- If your refrigerator is equipped with two cooling circuits, then defrost the chambers one by one. A refrigerator with one circuit will have to be disconnected from the network.
- To speed up the defrosting process, use a hair dryer: a household device will help quickly dry the moisture inside the device and help equalize the temperature difference between the inside of the unit and the room.
IMPORTANT! It is strictly forbidden to remove frost using a knife or other sharp objects: you may accidentally pierce the chamber wall.
If there is ice frozen in a refrigerator with no frost
No ice should appear in the refrigeration equipment of the know frost system. If this happens, it means the equipment is faulty. The problem may be with the evaporator or clogged drain holes. When the defrost system fails, the compressor turns on much less often than in normal mode.
Block layout
Advantages and disadvantages of the know frost system
Know Frost refrigerators are chosen because of the following advantages:
- No regular maintenance required.
- Condensation does not accumulate on the walls.
- Fast cooling.
- Uniform cooling system in all compartments.
The technology is suitable for both the refrigerator compartment and the freezer. There are also negative points:
- Significant energy consumption.
- Noisy operation of the equipment.
- Drying food.
A high-quality model of the know frost system does not require regular defrosting and can operate uninterruptedly for several years. But for preventive purposes, it is recommended to defrost and clean the equipment once a year.
