A refrigerator is one such kitchen appliance which is used by every family member. In fact, I would say this appliance has had a huge transition, from olden days to now. From single door to double door to French doors to side-by-side doors, a refrigerator has evolved and how.
Direct cool vs Frost free, I have seen people be confused about which one’s better for their home. Both of these refrigerators have their unique set of features and advantages.
Today, I am going to discuss each one in detail. What’s my motive behind doing so? By the end of my blog, you are going to bring home the best refrigerator. Trust me!
Let’s begin discussing how these two technologies function.
Direct Cool
The direct cool mechanism causes the air to circulate through a natural convection process. Since it is natural you cannot control the temperature. The distribution of air can get uneven. Due to this technology, you can experience formation of ice in the freezer box and around it as well. You can find this cooling mechanism only in single door refrigerators. It has a knob for the user to manually defrost all the ice.
What are the pros of a Direct Cool refrigerator?
- A direct cool refrigerator is economically priced.
- It consumes less energy.
- It is a suitable option for a small family.
- It is user friendly.
- Generates less amount of heat.
- It is capable of keeping the food fresh.
What are the cons of a Direct Cool refrigerator?
- The biggest drawback is that it requires manual defrosting.
- It is a big NO for a large family.
- Direct cool is only available in single door refrigerators.
- It has a conventional design.
- Cleaning is a big task.
- It has low storage space.
- It has less number of features.
- It has only one door.
Frost Free
The functioning in the frost refrigerators is completely different from the direct cool refrigerator. As the name suggests, you can expect no frost formation. A frost-free refrigerator means having an even distribution of cool air.
This mechanism works with the help of electric fans. The fundamental principle of this refrigerator is to have no formation of ice in the freezer box. Hence, there is no requirement for any manual defrosting. How does this happen? These refrigerators are equipped with a thermostat and temperature which helps in cutting the power supply once the desired temperature is attained. Double door, side by side and french door are all frost-free refrigerators.
What are the pros of a Frost-Free refrigerator?
- The most obvious advantage is that there is no ice formation.
- It is an ideal option for a large family.
- It can keep the food fresh for a longer period compared to a direct cool refrigerator.
- It has an inbuilt thermostat.
- It has all the advanced features.
- It is available in a double door, french door and side by side door.
- The design is appealing.
- It is more durable.
- It requires no manual effort.
- It has high storage space.
- There are variable speed settings you can choose from.
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What are the cons of a Frost-Free refrigerator?
- It consumes more electricity.
- The exteriors of the refrigerator can get heated up.
- These refrigerators are more expensively priced compared to direct cool.
Quick Difference between Direct Cool vs Frost Free Refrigerator
Now let’s have a look at this quick comparison to know the difference between direct cool and frost-free refrigerators.
| DIRECT COOL | FROST FREE |
|---|---|
| It is available in single door refrigerators. | It is available in double door, French door and side by side refrigerators. |
| It consumes less electricity. | It consumes more electricity. |
| It has less capacity. | It has more capacity. |
| It can retain the freshness of the food for a shorter period. | It can retain the freshness of the food for a longer period. |
| It generates less heat. | It generates more heat. |
| Manual defrosting. | Automatic defrosting. |
| It has less features. | It has more features. |
| It is a cheaper option. | Comparatively more expensive. |
| Cooling is done by natural convection. | Cooling is done with the help of external fans. |
| It is an appropriate option for a small family | Cooling is done with the help of external fans. |
Direct Cool vs Frost Free Refrigerator: Which one should you buy?
I considered the following factors before I bought a refrigerator for my home.
Electricity Consumption
A frost-free refrigerator comprises an external fan and a heating element, which helps in controlling the formation of ice. Due to this mechanism, it consumes more electricity.
A direct cool refrigerator does not have such a technology. Hence, it consumes less electricity.
Whos’ the winner? Direct Cool.
Ease of Cleaning
If you are planning on buying a direct cool refrigerator be ready for a lot of manual work. As we havealready discussed, direct cool involves manual deforestation. Once you do that with the knob, thereare high chances of water droplets being left behind. You have to clean up all of this. There is one more hitch to it. The coil can get exposed to dust and then have issues in the functioning of it. So, youhave to remove some time for periodic cleaning.
Whereas frost free refrigerators are concerned, there is no such issue.
Whos’ the winner? Frost Free.
Design
Direct cool refrigerators have a very conventional design. The colors and look appeal is also pretty monotonous. Frost free refrigerators come in attractive looking colors. The design is also very elegant.
Whos’ the winner? Frost Free.
Cost
This is the biggest drawback of a frost-free refrigerator. The appliance is equipped with all the top-notch features. The capacity is also high. So, the pricing is on the higher side. Direct cool refrigerators have the most basic features and are low on capacity. Hence, they are relatively cheaper.
Whos’ the winner? Direct Cool.
Freshness of Food
Direct cool refrigerators have an uneven distribution of cool air. Hence, it can keep the food fresh for a shorter period of time. Frost-free refrigerators ensure an even distribution of air. So, they are capable of keeping the food fresh for a longer period.’
Who’s the winner? Frost Free.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is it worth buying a frost-free freezer?
A frost-free freezer is totally worth the investment. It will save up a lot of your time andmanualeffort.
Why do frost free freezers ice up?
Frost free freezers generally don’t ice up. But if they do it’s due to some malfunctioning. Sometimeschange in temperature can cause dehydration. This can cause ice formations. If the food is in thefreezer for too many hours, then be ready to find some ice in the freezer.
How long does food last in a frost-free freezer?
I would recommend you not to keep the food in the freezer for a long time. But if you plan to doso,don’t go beyond a week.
Do frost free freezers ruin meat?
Frost free freezers don’t ruin meat at all. The air circulation keeps it fresh and intact.
Do frost free freezers need a drain?
A frost-free freezer does not need a drain. This is the primary advantage of it.
Final Verdict
Let me tell you very honestly, I made the decision based on the few most important factors. Design,cooling capability, freshness of food and the ease of cleaning. Hands down, a frost-free refrigerator isa clear winner. My only concern was the pricing. But hey, we live for a quality life, right?
So, in this debatable battle of direct cool vs frost free, I chose the Frost-free refrigerator.
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Mohit Batra is We Care 24×7 Editor-in Chief. He loves to do reviewing about the Home & Kitchen Appliances. Because he’s fascinating for the New Technology & Innovation. Always loves to help others with the genuine product reviews.