Which refrigerator to choose: drip or know-frost?

No frost or drip system

There are two systems for the prevention of ice in the refrigerator: drip and No frost. The latter, moreover, has two varieties - Full no frost and Frost free. Which one is better? It is curious that the discussion of this issue on the forums divides users into two camps - some completely approve of know-fro refrigerators, while others remain true to the drip system.

In fact, the problem of choice comes down to answering the question which system is more compatible with your everyday habits and lifestyle. Below you can read a brief summary of the difference between frost know-how and the drip system.

Quick response

Refrigerator no frost is suitable for most users. Its main advantage is the complete absence of frost. Theoretically, it can not be defrosted for several years (although manufacturers recommend doing it once a year). You can even put in it the remains of the dinner that have not cooled down. However, refrigerators know frost deliver two inconveniences: firstly, they are noisy, and secondly, they require storage of products in containers and packages. Otherwise, fruits, vegetables, cheese, and other foods may be weathered or dried. If you are ready to accept the constant noise of the compressor and do not mind to always pack the products, then the frost know-how refrigerator will be perfect. Moreover, the habit of storing food in containers is useful by itself - this way you can significantly extend the freshness of products without mixing their smells and not spoiling the shelves. And if the fridge know frost has a zone of freshness and a zone for storing vegetables, then problems with drying food are minimized altogether. In these compartments, products can be stored without packaging (but still better in it).

But if your priority is low price, economical power consumption, quiet operation and the ability to store food without packaging, then it is better to choose a “crying” refrigerator or a model with the Frost Free system (when the refrigerator compartment is drip and freezer - with no frost).

Storage in containers and packagings

When buying a refrigerator no frost, do not forget to buy food wrap, zip-lok bags and containers of all stripes. Without packaging, products will dry out quickly.

If you want to be fully prepared when buying a refrigerator, we suggest finding out some technical information, not obvious pros and cons of both systems and some useful tips.

What is the difference between know frost and a drip fridge?

So, what is know frost and drip system, why are they needed and what is the difference? Each time, opening the refrigerator, you let in warm air, which, having first turned into condensate, can finally turn into an ice coat. And if a thin layer of frost on the walls of the chamber even improves the cooling of the products, then a thick layer (more than 2 mm) impairs the operation of the device, increases energy consumption and may even cause breakage. To prevent frost from appearing, you just need the functions of the automatic defrost freezer - know frost and drip system.

Snow coat in the freezer

The thicker the snow coat is, the less efficient the evaporator works and the faster the frost becomes even larger.


  • Drip system (other names Direct Cool, "weeping" system) - implies the presence of an evaporator-drip pan, in which the collected condensate freezes during compressor operation, and then melts during a small heating of the evaporator. Then the water flows along the grooves into the pan at the bottom of the device and evaporates there. Unfortunately, in the freezer the drip thawing system does not work due to the negative temperature. However, here it is not too necessary, because we open the freezer less often. Of course, when the snow coat becomes large (more than 2 mm thick), the device has to be defrosted manually at least 2 times a year.
  • "No frost" (translated as "without frost") - as we have said, this system of thawing almost completely eliminates the appearance of ice. Thanks to the fans, the refrigerator / freezer “breathes” warm and moist air into itself, cools it, and leaves water in the evaporator. It turns out that in the fridge, no-frost is always dry, about the same cold on all shelves, and the back wall is never covered with frost.

So, let's take a closer look at all the pros and cons of both systems. If you look at the table on the smartphone, turn it to a horizontal position - so the whole table will enter the screen area.

Refrigerator "No frost" Drip fridge
pros Minuses pros Minuses
Does not require defrosting at all, frost does not appear even after several years of operation of the device. * But manufacturers still recommend to carry out a full defrost and cleaning 1 time per year. With the same body size, the usable volume of the frost know-how refrigerators is always less than that of the “weeping” models due to the fans built into the back wall The price is slightly lower Defrosting is required at least every six months, and ideally every 2 months
You can put warm dishes in it, say, the remnants of dinner, without waiting for them to cool.* You should not abuse it - hot air increases the load on the engine, and therefore increases the energy bill The price is slightly higher Products do not have to be packaged, they are much slower and less weathered and retain their natural moisture.* But still packaging is desirable, if only so that the smells of the products do not mix and for reasons of hygiene. And if you want to keep food fresh for as long as possible, the use of containers and food film is necessary Cold is distributed unevenly in the chamber. For example, on the top shelf of a “weeping” refrigerator is always warmer than on the bottom one, which means you should not keep perishable products on it.
Uniform distribution of cold on all shelves Because of the same fans, the refrigerator is noisier. * Although it depends on the model. Many "crying" devices also sin noisy operation of the compressor. Less noisy The defrosting system only works in the refrigerator compartment. The freezer requires manual defrosting. * If the thickness of the ice has exceeded 2 mm, then it’s time to freeze the freezer
Accelerated cooling and freezing of products More energy consuming The volume of the cameras is somewhat larger due to the lack of fans. The back wall is always wet or hoarfrost
The frost know-how function works in the freezer and in the cold store. Still need to defrost 1 time per year Electricity consumption is more economical (up to 30%) The temperature in the chamber is less stable and recovers more slowly after opening the door.
No condensation on the back     Categorically you can not put hot dishes in the drip fridge. This can lead not only to the appearance of a snow coat, but also to overheating and breakage of the compressor, if it is not powerful enough.
It is easier to maintain order, to wipe the shelves, since it is not scary to run a lot of warm air     Cleaning the refrigerator is complicated by the drain hole and intolerance for the long opening of the chamber. * By the way, the back wall of the drip cooler cannot be washed while it is on.
Choice of refrigerators with "no frost" more      

What are Frost Free and Full No Frost?

  • Frost Free models are refrigerators with a drip thawing system in the refrigerating chamber and a know-how system in the freezer.
  • Full No Frost models are powerful two-compressor refrigerators equipped with fans and individual evaporators in both chambers.

Our tips

  • Choosing a fridge, pay attention to its noise level, which is indicated on the sticker on the door. The fact is that models of know frost are not always noisy, and drip devices often buzz no less. Ideally, the refrigerator should have a noise level of no more than 40 dB.
  • When choosing no frost of a refrigerator, give preference to a model that has an energy consumption category not lower than A ++, because the device already consumes an increased amount of electricity due to the fans.
  • And this The article will reveal the secrets of express defrosting the refrigerator. manually.
  • Preferably, the know-frost refrigerator has a freshness zone and an area for fruits and vegetables. In these compartments, even unpacked food will retain its natural juiciness and freshness for a long time (with the exception of some products like cheese).
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2 Comments

  1. Valentine says

    Drip is already the last century, better already the most inexpensive indezit with know frost to take))

  2. Dasha says

    I don’t understand what's the point now in drip refrigerators .. We bought a refrigerator a year and a half ago, we didn’t even talk about drip spells, took a Hotpoint with No Frost, never regretted it.

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