Refrigerator drip defrosting system - what does it mean?

What is drip technology

Drip defrosting of a modern refrigerator is a technology based on the property of water vapor to condense on the coldest surface in the form of drops. This surface is the rear wall on which the evaporator is installed. Due to the refrigerant supplied by the compressor, its surface is always colder than that of the side walls. But the temperature in the chamber remains positive. Therefore, the moisture contained in the air readily collects in this place, gradually turning into ice.

LG refrigerator with drip defrosting.

When the ice reaches a certain thickness, the compressor automatically turns off. Heating the wall promotes thawing, and the resulting water is discharged dropwise through the drain hole into a special container. It is usually made in the form of a tray mounted on the compressor. The collected water evaporates under the influence of the heat generated by the compressor during operation. Thus, the compressor receives good cooling, and the water does not need to be poured out. In the case of a free-standing container, you will have to empty it periodically.

Drip defrosting technology is not hazardous to health, as it does not affect the quality of stored products. Drops of water on the back panel inside the camera indicate normal operation of the technology.

How different types of defrosting work

How to defrost a Bosch, Atlant or Indesit refrigerator depends on the type of defrosting system that is installed in it. There are three main types:

• Manual;
• Automatic:
• Semi-automatic.

Manual. The principle of operation is as follows: the equipment is disconnected from the network, the food is taken out and they wait for the frozen ice to thaw. The water collects in the bottom tray, which then needs to be emptied. Therefore, owners of early models had to spend a long time defrosting.

Automatic. Installed in drip-type refrigerators, as well as No Frost models (LG, Bosch and others). How is it different from manual defrosting? In the first case, moisture collects on the walls of the chamber and forms a crust of ice and snow. In the second, drops of moisture collect on the inner wall and then flow into containers.

The drip system consists of:

• evaporator;

• compressor;
• containers.

The operating principle of the automatic type (or Direct Cool) is freezing-thawing. The consumer sets the desired temperature on the thermostat. The condensate freezes, and after reaching the desired temperature the unit turns off. Then defrosting occurs, and drops of moisture flow down the wall.

As soon as water accumulates in the pan, it is heated by the motor and turns into gas.

Do I need to defrost No Frost refrigerators? Their work is similar to drip, except that the cold air in the compartment is accelerated by a fan. Therefore, almost no condensation accumulates on the walls.

Semi-automatic. Refrigerators of this type perform defrosting on their own, but to do this, the user needs to start defrosting.

Advantages and disadvantages of drip defrosting

Compared to manual defrosting, this method has a number of advantages:

• there is no need for frequent defrosting;
• time is saved, as everything happens automatically;
• high reliability, since the process occurs naturally, there is simply nothing to break;
• the air in the chamber is quite humid, but without dampness;
• a wide selection of models to suit every taste;
• moderate cost, since the system does not contain expensive parts; - large volume cameras.

Of course, the drip system is not ideal and has disadvantages:

1. Its effect does not apply to the freezer, which, although infrequently, has to be defrosted manually.
2. The back wall is covered most of the time with a thin layer of frost.
3. The temperature difference at the bottom and top of the chamber is up to 5C.
4. Stopping the operation of the refrigerator provided for by the system technology may not have the best effect on the quality of stored products.
5. The drain hose may become clogged with crumbs and particles of packaging. This is accompanied not only by the appearance of a swampy smell in the chamber, but also by the flow of water out. Therefore, you should not place the unit on a carpet that will have to dry. It is easy to clean the drain hole yourself using a syringe and soft wire.

Manufacturers, in order to increase sales of expensive models, position drip defrosting as an outdated technology. They are partly right, but this does not mean that systems have been created that are at least equal to it in reliability. Even the heavily advertised No Frost technology is significantly inferior in this parameter.

Why do you need to defrost your refrigerator?

The drip defrosting system is provided by refrigerator manufacturers in order to solve the age-old problem of temperature fluctuations. It is clear that in a refrigerator, the basis of which is to ensure low temperature conditions, condensation becomes commonplace. The laws of physics dictate tasks for refrigerator manufacturers that involve solving the problem of condensation or excess moisture formation. The drip defrosting system has become an excellent solution for adjusting the temperature and controlling evaporation inside the unit.

An important point that you should pay attention to when choosing household appliances with a drip system is automatic defrosting of the refrigerator compartment.

For the older generation, this function is especially valuable, because many housewives still remember the need for manual defrosting. The need to turn off the refrigerator and wait for the ice to thaw and melt into a niche is no longer relevant for modern types of equipment. The automatic system allows the refrigerator to cope with such a complex task as defrosting. What else is needed to ensure a high level of comfort in the operation of the refrigerator? Such a useful function undoubtedly influences the choice of household appliances.

Defrosting a refrigerator with a drip system

If the refrigerator is equipped with an alarm indicating an increase in the temperature in the chambers, then when the red light comes on, you should first check that the doors are closed tightly. If everything is fine with them, then it’s time to defrost. For two-compressor models, it is enough to turn off the freezer compartment, the refrigerator compartment will continue to work. A refrigerator with one compressor will have to be turned off completely. It is recommended to disinfect the refrigerator compartment at this time and put it in order.

Before defrosting, insert a drain spoon into the drainage hole located in the front part of the freezer (it is included with the refrigerator). A container should be placed under it to collect water, and the floor should be covered with old newspapers or rags to avoid accidental wetness. To speed up the melting of ice, it is better to keep the door open. After the procedure is completed, any remaining moisture is removed with a soft cloth.

Review of the best models

With a wide range of refrigeration equipment available in the household market, buyers give preference to certain models. Here is a brief overview of the most popular products for home use of each defrosting system.

Refrigerators with drip system

All presented devices are highly rated by consumers, which confirms their widespread use at home.

BEKO RDSK 240M00 W

This model is famous for its ease and ease of use, as well as economical energy consumption. Durable shelves made of shockproof glass can withstand significant loads. There is a possibility of reversing the door, which allows you to place the refrigerator in any convenient place. Customers like the device for its quiet operation, convenient dimensions, and spacious volume.

The BEKO RDSK 240M00 W model is praised for its quiet operation and low power consumption

NORD NRT 144–032

According to customer reviews, this model operates quite quietly and consumes a small amount of electricity. However, many buyers were not satisfied with the small volume of the freezer. For large families, such a refrigerator will still be too small, although the refrigerator compartment boasts spaciousness. The refrigerator is easy to use, is not equipped with additional functions, and quickly reaches the desired temperature.

Buyers of the NORD NRT 144–032 model complain about the insufficient capacity of the freezer compartment

ATLANT ХМ 4010–022

Buyers praise this model for its spacious freezer and note the silent operation of the compressor. One of the minuses identified is the small space of the refrigeration compartment. However, frozen food lovers appreciated it.

The ATLANT XM 4010–022 model is famous for its spacious freezer and small-volume refrigerator compartment

"Biryusa M149"

Customer reviews speak of the model’s spaciousness, low noise, bright LED lighting and stylish appearance that can fit into any interior. There is a sound indication that signals when the door is open. In addition, there is a slight accumulation of condensation on the rear wall. Negative characteristics include the lack of a tray for freezing ice and the small size of the egg tray.

The Biryusa M149 model features bright LED lighting and sound indication of an open door

Sharp SJ-B132ZRWH

A special feature of the model is the complete shutdown of the refrigerator when the door is open for a long time. Buyers note this feature as a disadvantage. In addition, the instructions do not contain information about this possibility.

A thin layer of frost freezes on the back wall; the more the refrigerator is loaded, the larger the layer becomes. As for noise, users note increased noise at the time of initial startup, however, after a certain time, the noise subsides and the compressor continues to operate almost inaudibly.

Unlike its counterparts, the refrigerator is equipped with wheels, which makes it much easier to move. In addition, housewives note that the size of the box for eggs is too small - 7 pieces, and those who like to store plastic bottles in doors - the capacity of a two-liter bottle on a shelf in the door. Nevertheless, this model has high customer ratings, characterizing it as an ideal price-quality ratio.

The Sharp SJ-B132ZRWH model has wheels for easy movement of the refrigerator

Table: comparative characteristics of drip models

Features of No Frost technology

If you select a refrigerator taking into account the defrosting system, you also need to know about No Frost technology. It ensures that the refrigerator operates without frost formation. A special feature is the low humidity in the chambers, but if stored correctly this does not affect the quality of the products. Despite assurances in booklets about the complete absence of ice, it still forms. But there is so little of it that it seems as if it does not exist.

Refrigerator with No Frost system.

No Frost is based on the operating principle of the drip system. Only fans have been added to the evaporator, compressor and tank, creating forced air circulation in the chambers, which prevents the formation of ice. Fans circulate air throughout the entire volume, and the evaporator is placed between the freezer and refrigerator compartment, so there is no need for manual defrosting.

The No Frost system is clear: evaporator, heating element and 2 sensors.

Due to the dry air inside the chambers, dehydration of products occurs, so before storing them it is better to place them in a closed container or wrap them in cling film.

And there is also No Frost...

More expensive devices use a slightly different system, eliminating the possibility of freezing in the usual sense. These refrigerators have a compressor connected to a cooling panel. But cold air is distributed inside using coolers (fans), which ensure uniform flow. At the same time, a certain amount of condensate also collects on the surfaces, but it is much less than with drip technology.

Pros and cons of the No Frost system

This defrosting method has many advantages:

• lack of constant care:
• uniform temperature distribution in the chambers;
• no time is wasted on defrosting the refrigerator compartment;
• after a forced stop (for example, due to lack of electricity), the refrigerator quickly
• restores operating temperature;
• there is a fast freezing mode;
• the back wall of the chamber remains dry.

But there are also disadvantages:

1. due to the installed chamber fans having a smaller volume than similar models with other systems;
2. high price;
3. normal operation of the No Frost system depends on many components, so reliability is low;
4. high energy consumption;
5. due to the noise emitted by the fans, which is superimposed on the sound of the compressor, the volume level of the operating refrigerator increases;
6. It is necessary to regularly (once a year is enough) turn off the unit to clean it from dust carried by the circulating air and disinfect it.

Manufacturers no longer produce models with manual defrosting. The automatic system is not widely used, since refrigerators with it are expensive and reliability is low. Repairs in the event of a breakdown will not be cheap. The advantage is that they create comfortable conditions for storing all types of products.

conclusions

Each consumer chooses a refrigerator that suits him in terms of technical characteristics and price. Giving preference to the drip system, they argue as follows:

• ease of use;
• affordable price category;
• large selection of models;
• time-tested quality.

Although such refrigerators are not without their drawbacks, they become less noticeable if the following recommendations are followed:

1. Properly care for your refrigerator. At least once a year, thoroughly clean all elements.
2. While the refrigerator is operating, do not touch the rear inner panel or scrape off ice from it.
3. When cleaning, avoid aggressive detergents or steel wool.

If you follow basic rules of use, the life of the refrigerator will significantly extend. Drip models, when used correctly, allow you to quietly regulate the process of freezing and thawing of the internal chamber, so consumers no longer have the problem of manual defrosting.

Watch this video on YouTube

Which refrigerator should you choose? NO FROST or drip system?

Watch this video on YouTube

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What is preferable - Direct Cool or No Frost

When comparing these systems, drip will be more practical. The refrigerator operates quietly, the air maintains normal humidity, and defrosting is automatic. It is preferable for those users who do not often look into the freezer, which allows it to be defrosted less often. Otherwise, the drip system is practically not inferior to No Frost, and the lower cost makes it even more attractive to buyers.

In the video, a repairman explains how to choose the right refrigerator:

How to choose the right refrigerator?! Advice from a refrigerator repair specialist

Maintenance

In some models of such refrigerators, an alarm is triggered when a large amount of ice appears. This means unplugging the refrigerator and letting the freezer thaw. But Automatic control is much more convenient.

However, one piece of technological wisdom should not be forgotten. One system is always more reliable than two systems working together. Otherwise, one alarm system will be more reliable than a sensor and a system for automatically turning off and turning on the compressor.

Some systems do not have a system for automatically evaporating the liquid formed when ice melts in the freezer. These systems require you to manually pull out the reservoirs and pour out the water.

This needs to be done for several reasons:

• Firstly, to avoid overfilling the tank and causing it to fail.
• Secondly, you don’t want a puddle on the kitchen floor, which, among other things, can lead to dampness and mold growth.
• Thirdly, this must be done before the water in the container spoils and emits a disgusting odor that will spread throughout the kitchen, and even in the freezer, lasting for a long time.

In addition to this, there are a number of other features. In addition to emptying the storage tank, you should periodically clean the ducts of the condensate drainage system. But be careful not to damage them.

You should also know that such refrigerators cannot be called quiet. They are often called crying refrigerators because of the characteristic sound of dripping water.

Principle of operation

After reading the operating instructions, equipment owners have a question about what a refrigerator defrosting drip system or NatureCool is. The drip principle is based on the condensation of water vapor on a surface at a low temperature. In refrigeration equipment, the minimum temperature is at the back wall of the chamber in contact with the heat exchanger body. Since a positive temperature is maintained in the refrigerator compartment, water vapor gradually settles on the back wall and then turns into ice.

To cool the wall, an evaporator radiator is used, into which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is supplied. When a substance passes from a liquid to a gaseous state, heat is absorbed. The refrigerant gas then enters the compressor again and is compressed. The design of refrigeration units provides a regulator for the degree of cooling of internal cavities; on some models, a button is used to accelerate freezing (by increasing work productivity).

The resulting layer of frost maintains the temperature inside the case. The equipment design includes a sensor for determining the thickness of ice build-up, which automatically turns off the compressor. Equipment with a built-in timer is also used to turn off the refrigerant pump motor. If the defrosting machine breaks down, the layer of ice continues to grow, increasing energy consumption and reducing the usable volume. Due to the natural heating of the chamber, the back wall defrosts, and the resulting water flows through the channel into the hole made in the housing.

This refrigerator uses compressors with a plastic tray installed on the lid for liquid, which flows from the casing through a special tube. When you turn on the equipment, the bath begins to warm up and the water begins to evaporate smoothly. Due to the volume of liquid placed in the flask, additional cooling of the pump unit is provided. On some refrigerator models, a separate water tray is installed; the user empties the container manually. The reservoir is placed in niches between the chambers or under the bottom plane of the refrigerator.

Owner reviews

Despite these minor inconveniences, which, by the way, not all refrigerators have, reviews of the drip defrosting system are always positive, especially from owners who have previously used outdated refrigerators.

The best refrigerators with a drip defrosting system are Bosch.