Frostfree Fridge Freezers: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Frost Free Fridge Freezers Frost free fridge freezers remove the need for manual defrosting every now and then. Instead, a timer heats up the evaporator coils, and melts any ice that has formed. The cool air is circulated throughout the freezer and fridge to stop the formation of frost. This article will review the advantages and drawbacks of both types of fridge freezers in order to help you decide what type is the best for your needs. Convenience Frost free freezers use a smart cooling technology that eliminates the need for manual defrosting. They are therefore more efficient in terms of time and maintenance as compared to manual defrost refrigerator freezers. They cost more to purchase and operate and their freezing efficiency is lower than manual models. They are also larger than manual defrost freezers because of the advancements in technology within the. It comes down to your personal preference. Which feature is most important to you The convenience of not needing to defrost or better freezer performance. To avoid ice build-up in a frost-free freezer, they use a temperature sensor and heating element. The temperature sensor detects when the freezer is getting colder and the heating element kicks in to stop the formation of frost. They will require a amount of maintenance in form of a defrost cycle, but this is less frequent than a manual defrost refrigerator. If you're looking to buy a new or refurnished frostfree refrigerator freezer, you must consider all features and maintenance requirements to determine which is the best for you. Contact Ancaster Food Equipment to speak with a professional. The refurbished freezers of Ancaster's with frostfree technology feature NoFrost which stops frost and ice from forming on the freezer. It does this by circulating cold air which dissipates any humidity. This is in contrast to traditional commercial freezers, which rely on an evaporator coil that absorbs humidity and forms ice. The ice can cause the freezer to lose its efficiency in freezing, and become less stable. The NoFrost technology that we have in our commercial freezers that have been refurbished stops the accumulation of ice on the evaporator coil through defrost cycles every six hours. It requires a bit more effort to maintain than a manual defrost freezer, but it can save you lots of time in the long run. It helps keep food fresher for longer and prevents freezer-burn. NoFrost is also an environmentally sustainable choice since it reduces your energy costs. Energy Efficiency One of the main advantages of a frostfree refrigerator freezer is its energy efficiency. This is because the technology works to melt away any ice that may form, which then gets drained into a small pan at the back of the unit. The water then evaporates into the ambient air which results in the refrigerator maintaining its temperature, but not taking up as much energy as units which don't have this feature. In addition to this, the no-frost technology does not affect the space available in the fridge or freezer like it is often the case with manual defrost models. This means that your fridge will be able to keep its full capacity, which is a great option for a lot of us as it can be hard to find enough space in fridge freezers that are older. The no-frost technology also helps to reduce the amount of condensation that is produced in the fridge. This is because condensation absorbs heat which then needs to be re-absorbed by the refrigerator in order to keep it cool, meaning that you will not lose the majority of your food to the freezer due to an overabundance of moisture. Frostfree fridge freezers typically have an anti-sweat heater which is designed to prevent condensation. This is a feature you can select to use or not use, depending on your own personal preference and the amount of maintenance that you are willing to perform. However, it must be noted that these heating coils consume more energy than a standard fridge which does not come with the feature. You will also find that some fridge freezers with frost-free cooling feature an auto defrost system that will take the care of any ice buildup for you, periodically melting it until you don't have to manually defrost it manually. This method is more energy efficient than no-frost because it only uses heating elements for a few moments at one time, instead of running it continuously. Maintenance Refrigerator freezers are an essential appliance for keeping fresh and frozen food for a lengthy period of time. However, they require proper care to ensure optimal performance. A well-maintained refrigerator freezer will prolong the life of your foods will conserve energy and money and avoid costly repairs. The main components of your freezer and refrigerator include the condenser coils, compressors and evaporator coils which circulate refrigerant to cool and then freeze food items. The thermostat regulates temperature and sensors monitor ambient temperatures in order to automatically defrost your freezer or stop it when temperatures exceed the safe range. A common problem in fridge freezers with frost-free refrigeration is the accumulation of ice on the evaporator coils. This can impede the flow of air, which causes the freezer to become hotter. This is typically caused by a broken heater or faulty sensor, but it can be caused by improper placement of the freezer in an uncontrolled environment such as an outdoor shed or garage. Another cause of an overheated freezer is an issue with the refrigerator's evaporator fan, which is located at the rear of the freezer behind the coils that evaporate. The evaporator serves to cool the evaporator coils pushing air through them. If the fan ceases working or becomes blocked with food packaging, the evaporator may overheat. To prevent the freezer's evaporator coils, ensure whether the fan is running correctly and make sure the food storage area is kept clean. Also regularly wipe down shelves, walls and baskets with the aid of mild detergent to prevent the accumulation of undesirable smells in the freezer. Test the gasket to ensure that the door to the freezer is sealed properly. Test it with this simple test: put a piece of paper (a dollar bill is the ideal size and shape) half-way inside the freezer door, shut the door and check if you can remove the paper easily and with little effort. If the paper is easy to take out, then it is likely that the gasket in the freezer is not sealing properly enough. The Right to Rent If you purchase a frost-free fridge freezer, you're getting an appliance that doesn't need defrosting. This makes it an easier choice for those who don't want to manually defrost their freezers every few months. This does not mean that the appliance won't require some maintenance. Check the warranty conditions of the manufacturer prior to purchasing the frost-free fridge freezer. You should be able to determine whether the warranty covers both parts and labour in the event of any issue that may arise over the life of the appliance. If you're looking for a frost-free fridge freezer, you must consider the cooling system. There are four types of refrigeration systems. Each has an impact on the quantity of storage space that is available in the freezer, the length of time the food can be frozen, and the energy efficiency. A manual freezer that defrosts is a basic model that does not depend on complex technology similar to frost-free models. This means that these types of commercial freezers are typically cheaper than frost-free models and they can often keep food colder than the latter. However, fridge frost free freezer -off for this ease of use is that commercial freezers that require manual defrost have to be manually defrosted frequently since they don't have an automated defrost system. LG's Total No Frost fridge freezers use the most advanced technology to defrost the freezer regularly. This is done by moving air through the appliance, which removes condensation and prevents the build-up of ice inside the freezer. This means that you don't have to manually defrost your LG refrigerator freezer, and you can enjoy all of the capacity that it can offer. If you're looking for an innovative commercial freezer then a frost-free model should definitely be on your list. They are more energy-efficient than manual defrost freezers and can save you time and money in the long run by removing the need to regularly defrost the freezer. They are available in a variety of sizes and colors that complement any interior.