Refrigerator drip defrosting system: what it is and how it works

Basic concept and features of what drip defrosting is

The system facilitates defrosting automatically using the evaporator on the rear panel, so there is no need for manual cleaning. This, in turn, cools the air flow. The temperature inside always remains positive. This approach promotes the formation of condensation on the surface.

Defrosting controls the presence of ice that accumulates in certain areas of the refrigerator. When its layer becomes as large as possible, the system automatically turns off the compressor.

Is it possible to defrost a refrigerator with a hairdryer?

If you need quick defrosting, you can use a hair dryer. However, this must be done with caution, without directing the flow of warm air onto the sealing rubber bands and holding the device at some distance from the walls of the refrigerator.

Otherwise, you risk deforming the seals, and the unit door will not close tightly enough, which will negatively affect the quality of its operation and reduce its service life.

What is a refrigerator defrosting drip system?

Products with drip technology are trouble-free to use, and their cost is in the middle range. The principle of drip defrosting of the refrigeration chamber is based on the following aspects:

1. The equipment is equipped with a panel in which moisture accumulates and is discharged into specially installed tanks.
2. The defrosting process is carried out silently for residents thanks to the built-in mode, which optimally determines the time of freezing and thawing.
3. Refrigerators operating using this method are equipped with an alarm that is triggered during periods of elevated internal temperature. In this case, users are immediately notified that the refrigerator needs to be defrosted.

The drip defrosting function is well thought out. The only thing is that sometimes it is necessary to clean the containers that collect water so that they do not become clogged.

Preparing for defrosting

Step 1: Eat!

About a week before defrosting, start emptying your freezer. Try to prepare as many dishes as possible from its contents. Do not buy products that need to be stored at sub-zero temperatures.

Pay attention to products that are nearing their expiration dates. They may spoil while you defrost the refrigerator. Place plastic bottles of water in the free space to freeze. They may be needed.

Step 2: Save your food

Immediately before defrosting, place food in a cool place. Ask neighbors or friends to store them. If this is not possible, put the food in bags and cover them with bottles of ice. Wrap them in a blanket and take them to the coolest place in your apartment or house.

Step 3: Turn off or unplug

Turn off the refrigerator, if there is such a function. Unplug it from the electrical outlet.

Step 4: Flood Protection

Place towels or rags on the bottom of the freezer. Place rags on the floor under and around the refrigerator. You can use trays or baking trays to collect the water. Place them under the freezer door. This is where the most water will come from.

Step 5: Look for Drainage

Some models have a special drain hose. It is located on the back wall of the refrigerator. If there is one, place a bucket or basin under it. To improve drainage, place something under the front legs of the refrigerator to tilt it back.

Advantages and disadvantages of drip defrosting

The drip defrosting technique has a simple design; its operating principle is based on the simplest physical phenomenon - condensation.

System advantages:

• comfortable operation;
• affordable price;
• high quality;
• quiet operation of the equipment;
• minimal power consumption.

Disadvantages of the system:

• The freezer needs to be defrosted independently;
• The drain hole and drain hose may become clogged.

The most popular defrosting systems

Modern technologies are perfect for defrosting. They ensure constant air circulation inside. An evaporator is provided between the freezer and main chamber. We figured out what drip defrosting of a refrigerator is, let’s look at popular systems.

The air flow is supplied from one side and exits from the opposite. If the compressor turns off, the water flows into the tank and then evaporates. There are several types of defrosting. Let's look at the most popular of them.

Refrigerators are equipped with separate chambers for storing vegetables.

No Frost defrosting system

No Frost technology means “no frost”. During operation, a snow cap will not accumulate on the inner walls of the refrigerator, which should be removed independently.

The main difference between this system is the absence of an evaporator or air cooler, which is present in standard refrigerators. The evaporator is provided in a recess or on the back wall of the equipment and has the shape of a coil with fins.

The advantages of the No Frost option are as follows:

• minimal effort required for operation;
• uniform temperature throughout the entire volume;
• easy and simple use of technology;
• Condensation does not collect on the back wall;
• Built-in quick freezing function.

Disadvantages of the No Frost option:

• high price;
• such products do not differ in capacity;
• there is a high risk of breakdown due to the presence of many parts;
• consume relatively more energy;
• Quite noisy when working.

However, this defrosting system has more advantages, which is why it is popular among buyers.

Literally, the term “No Frost” is translated from English as “without frost”

Naturecool defrosting system

The Naturecool defrosting system is an innovative, modern development. It does not use forced air circulation. The cold enters the chamber directly from the evaporator, which is located inside the walls. Thanks to this, ice does not form in the chambers.

Refrigerators with this defrosting system have the following advantages:

• high capacity;
• there are additional compartments for storing food;
• quiet work.

Since this defrosting technology is new and is used mainly in Bosch refrigerators, users have not yet discovered any disadvantages.

Cooling in NatureCool refrigerators is carried out without forced air circulation

Direct Cool (drip defrost)

The Direct Cool refrigerator drip defrosting system (which means “directional cooling”) is the simplest, most affordable and reliable. While the compressor is operating, the temperature in the refrigerator gradually decreases due to heat intake from the evaporator. Moisture begins to accumulate and freeze on the back wall. If the temperature becomes as low as possible, the compressor turns off and the air temperature begins to rise.

The Direct Cool drip defrosting system has numerous advantages:

• affordable cost of equipment and maintenance;
• almost silent operation;
• the likelihood of parts failure is reduced;
• widest selection of models;
• low power consumption.

Minor cons:

• not in freezers;
• the back wall is always covered with ice;
• Frequent defrosting is required;
• The walls of the refrigerator compartment can be of different temperatures.

Some users note that water may leak during operation if the drain is clogged. Through it, condensate is removed from the refrigeration chamber. Therefore, manufacturers do not recommend placing equipment on carpet, laminate or parquet.

Low Frost

The Low Frost option is based on an evaporator, which is located across the entire surface of the freezer. This approach makes it possible to maintain temperature and humidity at the same level.

Ice formation is quite slow, and it appears in a thin layer. This makes defrosting much easier. The advantages of the system are as follows:

• there is no strong condensation, which contributes to the appearance of ice;
• the difference between the temperatures of the walls and the air in the chamber is small;
• the entire volume of air in the freezer is cooled;
• Maintenance is quick and easy.

The undeniable advantage of Low Frost defrosting technology is its low cost, simplicity of design and attractive price for consumables. Household refrigerators with such a system are very popular in the market.

LowFrost is a design of an evaporator circuit placed around the perimeter of the freezer behind its inner walls.

How to defrost

Every drip refrigerator needs periodic defrosting. If the model is equipped with an automatic defrosting system, then when a large layer of ice appears, the device automatically stops the compressor. As soon as the temperature in the chamber rises to the desired level and the ice melts, the compressor will automatically start working.

If the refrigerator does not have such a function, the device will have to be defrosted manually:

1. The device is disconnected from the network. If the refrigerator has two compressors, then only one of the chambers can be defrosted. At the same time, equipment repair and maintenance technicians recommend sometimes defrosting and washing both chambers at once.
2. Place a rag under the body of the device - this will allow you to quickly remove accumulated melt water.
3. You need to wait until all the ice has thawed. If you don’t have time to wait for a long time, then it’s better to open the refrigerator doors. This will provide a flow of warm air into the refrigerator compartment and speed up the ice melting process.
4. The final stage is washing the device. This eliminates germs and unpleasant odors. Finally, you need to wipe the walls, bottom and ceiling of the chamber dry. Remaining moisture will speed up the reappearance of ice.

Rating of the best models of refrigerators with a drip defrosting system

Here is a rating of the best models of refrigerators with a drip defrosting system according to users’ opinions and sales volumes.

Refrigerator Shivaki SHRF-90DP

An inexpensive and spacious refrigerator from the manufacturer Shivaki is an affordable budget option, its average cost is 12 thousand rubles. The equipment weighs only 26 kg. Perfect for a rented or small apartment.

The original design allows the refrigerator to be used in conjunction with a bread maker, dishwasher and other appliances. There are two doors that open separately. The kit comes with various useful accessories.

Important Features:

• class A energy consumption savings;
• silent operation;
• The drip system is only in the main chamber.

Among users, this refrigerator received 4 points out of 5.

Price: ₽ 12,000

Refrigerator Indesit SB 185

A powerful, large and capacious device with a drip defrosting system. The total volume of the chambers is 339 liters. The quality of defrosting is at the highest level; even after a power outage, the cold will remain in the chambers for up to 15 hours.

It operates almost silently, but has class B energy consumption. The average cost varies from 18 thousand rubles. The technique has received a large number of positive reviews.

Price: ₽ 18,000

Refrigerator Pozis RK 139

A beautiful and stylish refrigerator from a Russian manufacturer with a bottom-mounted freezer. The model has a strict design and is made in white. It is distinguished by its height, capacity (285 liters) and economical energy consumption.

The original design has the ability to overweight the doors in order to open them comfortably. The average cost is 19 thousand rubles.

Price: RUB 19,572

Comparison table of the best drip defrosting systems for refrigerators

Low Frost Refrigerators

A new product on the household appliances market is refrigerators with the Low Frost system. A new automatic defrosting method has been introduced here. It's all about the innovative approach when equipping the freezer with an evaporator.

The originators of the idea were engineers from Bosch. Currently, many brands install such a system in their refrigerators, for example Siemens, Gorenje and AEG.

The main idea is to distribute the evaporator evenly over the entire outer surface of the freezer . This ensures uniform distribution of cold inside, rapid freezing and high-quality storage of food. The second plus is the minimum amount of snow that appears during operation.