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Refrigerator FAQ

1) How does a refrigerator work?
2) What is the ideal temperature of a refrigerator?
3) Why is the back of a refrigerator painted black?
4) What is the function of a fan in a fridge?
5) How does frost form in refrigerator?
6) How does a frost-free refrigerator work?
7) How to remove stubborn refrigerator odor?

How does a refrigerator work?

Refrigerator basically works like this:

• The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas.  This raises the refrigerant's pressure and temperature, so the heat exchanging coil outside the refrigerator allow the refrigerant to dissipate the heat of pressurization.
• A it cools, the refrigerant condenses into liquid form and flows through the expansion valve.
• When refrigerant flows through the expansion valve, the liquid refrigerant is allowed to move from a high pressure zone to low pressure zone, so it expands and evaporates.  In evaporating, it absorbs heat, making it cold.
• The coils inside the refrigerator allow the refrigerant to absorb heat, making the inside of the refrigerator cold.  The cycle then repeat.

What is the ideal temperature of a refrigerator?

The main purpose of the freezer is to stop bacteria completely by freezing them solid.  Some foods change dramatically after you freeze them, thus it is not possible to freeze all foods.  Therefore, a refrigerator should be cold but not too cold until it freezes everything (unless it is the freezer compartment).  The ideal temperature should be somewhere around 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why is the back of a refrigerator painted black?

The external coil are black in color because black is an excellent heat absorber as well as a great heat radiator.

What is the function of a fan in a fridge?

Modern frost-free refrigerators usually have 2 fans.  One is located under the refrigerator to cool the compressor and force air through the exterior coils.  The other is found inside the refrigerator, which allows air to move around the coils.  This second fan improves the cooling efficiency, and also aids the defrosting process.

 How does frost form in refrigerator?

Frost forms when water vapor hits the cold coils.  The water vapor condenses - turns to liquid water.  When the water condenses onto the coils, it immediately freezes and forms frost.

How does a frost-free refrigerator work?

Most refrigerators nowadays are frost-free.  A frost-free refrigerator has 3 basic parts:

• A timer
• A heating coil
• A temperature sensor

After certain intervals, the timer turns on the heating coil which is wrapped among the freezer coils.  The heater melts the ice off the freezer coils.  When all of the ice is gone, the temperature sensor senses the temperature rising above 32 degrees Fahrenheit and turns off the heater.

How to remove stubborn refrigerator odor?

• Remove all items from refrigerator or freezer.  Throw out any spoiled foods.  Take out removable parts and wash them and the door gasket with mild detergent in warm water.  Rinse well and wipe dry.
• Wash interior walls and door liner with solution of 1-2 teaspoonfuls of baking soda and 1 quart warm water, and wipe dry.  Leave door open.
• If odors still remain, try spreading baking soda out on shallow pans, or hollow dishes and place them in the fridge and freezer shelves to absorb odors
• If odors are still there, then it has probably penetrated into the insulation.  In that case, you will have to contact an appliance service company for an estimate on the cost of removing the liner and replacing the insulation.