Which refrigerator is better - drip or No Frost?

The time has long passed when the owners were guided only by their own capabilities when buying a refrigerator. It is much more difficult for the current consumer to decide. After all, the modern technology market offers such a wide choice that the buyer often falls into a stupor. The most insoluble dilemma sounds something like this: “Know Frost” or a drip refrigerator? Which is better and why?

To answer this question, let's figure out what exactly are the features of each of the systems, consider their advantages and disadvantages, and also compile a small rating of the best refrigerator units.

The difference between drip and refrigerator Nou Frost

Today in home appliances stores you can find just a huge selection of brands and models. However, all of them can be divided into only two diametrically opposite groups:

1. with drop cooling;
2. No frost

Each of the systems has both its advantages and disadvantages, which we will talk about a little below. In the meantime, let's figure out how one system is fundamentally different from another.

The principal differences lie in the very scheme of operation of the unit. Refrigerator "No Frost", as the name implies, works "frost-free". Although "frost", or rather sub-zero temperature, is certainly present in it, in such a unit you will never see caps of frozen snow and icicles hanging from the ceiling of the freezer. This is because its design provides for a special air circulation system, which is provided by fans hidden inside the case. With such a cooling system, the walls will always remain dry, which means that there will simply be no place to take a snow coat.

The drip cooling system is completely different. The back wall of such a refrigerator is an evaporator, on the walls of which condensate forms - moisture released during cooling of the products. After some time, so much liquid accumulates that the refrigerator starts to "cry". Drops slowly drip into a special tray, from which they evaporate again after a while. The process is cyclical and, in general, practically does not require any user participation. Although, with such refrigerators an incident sometimes happens. If you don't wipe the inside too thoroughly, the drain hole can become clogged over time. In this case, you risk finding an unpleasant puddle, for example, under a box of vegetables.

To make the choice even easier, let's highlight the most significant pros and cons of each system.

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• 8 Best Samsung Refrigerators According to Buyers
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Drip system

Advantages:

• Due to the lack of built-in fans, refrigerators with such a system have a slightly larger internal chamber volume.
• A wide selection of models, which means that their cost can vary significantly depending on other parameters.
• Most of these models are practically silent in operation.
• Due to the presence in the design of a smaller number of energy-consuming elements, they are slightly more economical.

Disadvantages:

• Requires periodic defrosting at least 2-3 times a year.
• Improper care can create an unpleasant "pool" inside the cooling chambers.
• After opening the door, the drip-cooled refrigerator takes much longer to gain temperature.
• If the operating parameters are incorrectly set, the condensate on the back wall may freeze, and it will be necessary to defrost even more often.
• The temperature in the chamber is not distributed evenly: the top is warmer than the bottom. This must be taken into account when placing products.

TOP 3 best refrigerators with a drip system

1. ATLANT XM 6025-031
2. Gorenje RK 41200 E
3. Indesit ST 167

See also - What is the Know Frost system in the refrigerator?

Refrigerators with No Frost system

Advantages:

• Unlike the previous type, the No Frost system boasts the same temperature throughout the chamber, excluding specially designated freshness zones.
• Defrosting such a refrigerator is, although necessary, extremely rare. It is enough to carry out this procedure only once a year for prevention.
• Such an assembly does not require any care other than hygienic wiping of the shelves.
• No Frost has a record freezing speed of food.
• Reactivates the set temperature literally a few seconds after opening / closing the door.
• This system is most suitable for use in freezers.

Disadvantages:

• As a rule, such models of refrigerators are a little more expensive.
• Due to its design features, the internal volume of the chamber is slightly less than that of the "crying" brothers.
• The presence of fans in the cooling system assumes a little noisier operation.
• Since the system contains more energy-consuming nodes, it “eats” a little more electricity.

Attention! In No Frost refrigerators, you can sometimes notice a small amount of condensation on the back of the chamber. However, in comparison with the drip version, its amount is minimal and indicates that you kept the refrigerator door open for a long time or placed food with very high humidity in the chamber.

TOP 3 best No Frost refrigerators

1. Samsung RB-30 J3200EF
2. LG GA-B499 YAQZ
3. BEKO RCNK 310K20 W

Know Frost: myths and reality

In addition to the listed advantages and disadvantages, there are some prejudices associated with the dry cooling system. Let's discuss some of them, and find out how the situation is in reality.

Unpleasant odors and fast drying of food

Some housewives believe that due to the air circulation provided by the fans, the food can become “weathered” and dry out a little, and that unpleasant odors from fish or onions can spread faster throughout the chamber. This is quite controversial.

1. Leaving food open, even in the refrigerator, is simply not hygienic.
2. If you put harsh-smelling foods in a bag or special container, no odors will be scary.
3. Almost all vegetables and fruits are much better stored when blowing, because increased humidity leads to a natural process of decay.

No Frost does not require defrosting at all

This statement is still untrue. Of course, you need to unfreeze Nou Frost so rarely that you shouldn't even talk about it. But it is still necessary to do this at least for reasons of hygiene. It is almost impossible to thoroughly wash and disinfect a working unit.

A "dry" refrigerator is hazardous to health

This myth is based on the fact that some special, especially dangerous refrigerant is used to operate this type of refrigerator. This is not true. Both compressors and coolant are the same for both types of refrigerators. The difference is only in the application of airflow with the very air that we breathe daily.

In addition, the features of any cooling system are such that the refrigerant is in a hermetically sealed system and does not affect the environment at all.

There are no Frost Know with large cameras

Of course, the fans occupy some place, but it is not so critical. In the end, when choosing a model, you can simply buy a refrigerator higher or wider, focusing on the internal volume of the camera.

The refrigerators of this system are very noisy

On the one hand, this is true. But if you are not too financially constrained, give preference to newer and more expensive models that are equipped with excellent sound insulation. Such a refrigerator will work even quieter than a drip.

But Frost consumes more electricity

But this, in general, is not a myth. “Non-frost” really pulls more electricity. However, this difference is so insignificant that it most likely will not make a big hole in your budget. This is especially true for the models of the current year.

Tips for choosing and ranking the best

Well, a few more tips for those who are going to choose a refrigerator. In order not to make a mistake with the choice, you need to look at the situation a little wider. It is not enough to simply determine the type of refrigerator. It is also necessary to pay close attention to other parameters:

• the cost of a particular model;
• the maximum dimensions of the unit that your kitchen can accommodate;
• energy saving level;
• the presence of the "dry freeze" system, if one is needed;
• internal equipment, the presence of a sufficient number of shelves, drawers and compartments;
• design decision;
• presence of a door re-suspension system;
• the ability to quickly and easily obtain warranty service, the availability of service centers.

We present to your attention some of the best refrigerators according to users and experts:

LG GA-B489 TGRF

An excellent design unit equipped with the latest linear inverter compressor. It can very significantly save energy consumption. The design includes an Opti Temp system that allows you to set the optimum temperature of your choice. A zone of zero temperature is also provided, which allows for a long time to preserve meat and seafood. Extremely roomy and technological unit, it works almost silently.

Liebherr CBNef 4815

A super-economical refrigerator of A * class of energy consumption, which can not be called too budget. The model has a mixed type of cooling: drip for the refrigerator and “but frost” for the freezer. It provides a system of superfreezing and supercooling, protection from children and it is possible to independently maintain the set temperature when disconnected from the network for up to 24 hours. It works very quietly, no more than 38 dB.

Gorenje RK 6201 FW

One of the good budget models, characterized by increased capacity and high quality. The type of cooling is drip, so the refrigerator works very quietly. It can autonomously keep cold up to 30 hours. There is a built-in air ionizer that allows you to keep food fresh longer in a jam-packed refrigerator. Class A + power consumption.

Bosch KGV39XK23

Excellent refrigeration unit at a fairly affordable price. Two-compartment refrigerator with No Frost cooling system and 257 liter cooling capacity. For those who like to freeze food for future use, a spacious 351 liter freezer is additionally offered.

There is an additional box of vegetables, herbs and fruits with separate humidity level control. If necessary, the refrigerator doors can be hung in a convenient direction, the shelves are made of shockproof glass.

Expert Opinion

Alexey Yaroshin

Consultant on the choice of technology. Experience in Mvideo - 7 years

Based on my experience as a consultant in Mvideo, I can assure you that the No Frost models are more popular with buyers. I personally checked more than 100 customer reviews of refrigerators. Based on user experience, made two recommendations:

• if you want comfort, you have to pay - No Frost is more expensive, but more convenient
• you see no reason to overpay for minor discomfort during defrosting - we buy a drip

See also:

• 10 best Atlant refrigerators according to owners reviews
• 10 best refrigerators from according to buyers
• 11 best BEKO refrigerators according to customers
• 15 best Liebherr refrigerators according to customer reviews