Frost free

The aim of a frost free appliance is the elimination of all frost within a freezer or refrigerator. Frost builds up when the freezer door is opened and warm air is introduced into the compartment.

Why can frost become a problem? well to begin with, it can build up to such a degree that shelves cannot be opened. The more troubling aspect is that frost blocks the natural circulation of air and stops the fridge or freezer working at optimum performance. This results in food not being stored at the proper temperature, which can result in a plethora of health issues.

The removal of frost is a time consuming process. It involves the removal of all food stuffs from a freezer, the appliance being turned off, and a bowl of warm water placed in the appliance to melt the frost for an afternoon or longer. If you do not have a second freezer to store your frozen foods, then they can defrost while you defrost the appliance, and become inedible.

A frost free mechanism can work in a number of ways. Generally it involves the heating of the cooling unit. The cooling unit is usually the first place that frost builds up, and the best place to stop the build up of frost.The cooling unit of a frost free fridge freezer is typically placed outside of the freezer lining, unlike with a traditional appliance. This avoids heat being transferred into the storage compartment.

The frost free feature is usually only incorporated into a freezer compartment. Frost is rarely a problem with refrigerators. However, it is not unknown for refigerators to feature them. Therrefore, you have two types of frost free fridge freezers. A 'partial' system which is only incorporated into the freezer compartment, and a 'total' system which is placed within both compartments.

The only disadvantages to a frost free system is the extra power consumption it entails. And, that issues can arise from the heating of the cooling system. If not properly insulated, there can be safety issues with the constant heating of the element. Heat can be transferred into the storage areas, if insulation is poor. Overall, however, the advantages easily outweigh the drawbacks.