Some housewives still remember the times when the refrigerator had to be defrosted manually several times a month. To drain the water, a tray under the freezer was used, which had to be poured very often, and ice was scooped out of the freezer.
Manual defrost freezer
Today, such devices are becoming less common. They were replaced by new thawing technologies, which significantly free up the time of the hostess. The drip defrosting system of the refrigerator allows you to reduce the number of defrosts to one to two times a year.
What is a drip defrosting system?
The drip thawing of the refrigerator is based on the physical phenomenon of condensation and evaporation of moisture, and the cooling system itself is called static. The principle of operation of such a system is very simple and reliable. Static technology does not require a large amount of energy and complex technological equipment.
The drip system for defrosting a domestic refrigerator is a technology for thawing moisture based on changes in the state of aggregation of water.
In refrigerators with drip technology, the evaporator is distributed on the rear panel. This is where the compressor delivers the refrigerant. The back panel becomes colder than the rest, excess moisture begins to condense on it from the refrigerator. The temperature drops, drops quickly freeze. A small frost ball forms on the back wall. After a while, the compressor turns off, the temperature in the chamber rises, the ice begins to melt and drain into special openings at the bottom of the refrigerator.
Gutter and drain hole
Due to the external similarity of the process with tears, the drip system is also called “crying”.
The liquid draining from the walls is diverted outward into a flat container that resembles a plate in shape. The plate is most often located above a warm engine, which accelerates the evaporation of moisture.
In some models, the compressor is controlled by a timer that periodically turns it on or off. Other devices are equipped with a sensor that detects the level of freezing. If the threshold level is exceeded, the defrosting process is activated. This improvement was invented to save energy when the refrigerator is used infrequently.
Capacity (plate) for draining water
Advantages and disadvantages of the drip system
The drip thawing of a home refrigerator, like other technological improvements, has its advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits:
- freeing the user from frequent defrosting compared to models with manual defrosting. In units with drip thawing, this process should be carried out no more than once or twice a year.
- the relative cheapness of the models, since the drip model does not require complex technologies for its work;
- inexpensive repair, in comparison with more complex technologies of defrosting “No Frost”, “de Frost”, mixed types;
- energy saving. Units with a drip defrosting method most often have one motor and one compressor, which do not require a large amount of energy;
- preservation of freshness and taste of products without additional packaging.
Drip-freezed cold store
Disadvantages:
- you still have to defrost the freezer manually. The drip system only works in refrigerators.
- slow temperature equalization (cooling) after a complete defrost or a large influx of fresh products.
- uneven temperature in different parts of the chambers. The upper shelves are always warmer, as warm air rises.
- clogging of the tube for draining water with crumbs, food debris, cling film is possible. In such cases, the tube should be cleaned with a syringe or soft wire, otherwise condensation water will accumulate at the bottom of the unit.
- crowding out with newer models with full automatic defrosting technology.
How to defrost a refrigerator with a drip system?
Some refrigerator models are equipped with a sensor. When it is on, it means it's time to start defrosting. In other cases, the hostess herself, having seen a large amount of frost in the freezer, turns it off and starts to defrost.
To thaw the freezer:
- disconnect one compressor (for two-compressor models) or the entire device from the network;
- release only the freezer or both chambers from food;
- at the bottom of the freezer, find a place to drain the water, substitute a special spoon for the groove (included in most models);
- substitute a container for receiving melted ice;
- cover the place around the drain with rags;
- to defrost as soon as possible, open the freezer door;
- during the melting of ice, the refrigeration compartment can be cleaned and disinfected;
- after all the ice has melted, as well as draining the water from the freezer, it is recommended to disinfect it;
- The unit is now ready for use again.
Thawing ice from the freezer
Before turning on the washed refrigerator in the network, you must definitely wipe dry all the shelves to remove excess moisture.
Alternative refrigerator defrosting technologies
Despite all its advantages, the drip model is a thing of the past. It is being supplanted by new technologies that loudly declare a complete automatic defrost. That is, liberation from the formed frost occurs without human intervention. An example of such systems is the technology “No Frost”, “de Frost”, combined technologies (the name depends on the manufacturer). But they all have their drawbacks.
No Frost Technology
So, often, models with new defrosting technologies work on the principle of combining the action of evaporators and fans that distribute cold air through the chambers.
Due to the presence of complex mechanisms, such devices are much more expensive. Their repair and maintenance are expensive, the useful volume of the chambers is reduced, the weathering of products is increased, the noise level is increased. Refrigerators with alternative defrosting technologies still have to be washed once a year or two, and therefore defrosted. Unless you use them mega carefully or not at all.
So is it worth it to overpay a lot of money for devices that do not require defrosting? Each buyer needs to answer this question independently.
Some manufacturers offer advanced technologies based on the drip defrosting scheme. For example, the BOSCH brand introduced a line of models with NatureCOOL cooling technology.
Cooling in such units occurs directly from the evaporator without forced air circulation. But, the evaporators themselves are located outside the chambers, so warm air saturated with moisture does not concern them. As a result, the chambers do not grow frost, and the products are not blown by air currents. The NatureCOOL system works for refrigerators and freezers.
Nature Cool Refrigerator
Thus, the BOSCH brand managed to combine the best properties of drip and “No Frost” technology.
