Within ten minutes Mr Ripley with agilityThe magician used electricity to solve two of the greatest kitchen problems with electricity - storing supplies and washing dirty dishes. He showed an electric refrigerator-cabinet, which not only did not require ice, but, on the contrary, prepared it in the form of neat transparent cubes in a special white tray, similar to a photographic one. There were compartments for meat, eggs and fruits in the cabinet. Ilf, E. Petrov. "One-story America"
How to choose a refrigerator?On the market there is a huge number of models, differing in both design and size and design. Would you like to buy equipment with side-by-side doors and a stainless steel case? No problems. Color refrigerator, painted "for Khokhloma"? How much you want! Compact but roomy model with a large freezer and the possibility of building under the kitchen countertop? Please! It is not surprising that the consumer is slightly confused by such abundance. Which refrigerator to choose? What is the most convenient design? The questions are complex, and advertisements do not give clear answers to this account. Well, let's try to deal with the "park of refrigeration" on their own.
What we see? Market sir
The history of household refrigerators begins in 1917year; it was then that the company General Electric the first in the world began the serial production of these devices. Not so acutely, but since then the question of which refrigerator is better is relevant? In the Russian market of refrigeration equipment, a tough competition is constantly going on. For a long time, European and American companies held leading positions. These are Miele, BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte (Germany, trademarks Bosch, Gaggenau, Neff, Siemens); General Electric, Whirlpool (USA, Whirlpool, Maytag trademarks); Electrolux Group (Sweden, trademarks AEG-Electrolux, Electrolux, Zanussi); Indesit Company (Italy, Ariston, Indesit, Stinol trademarks); Candy Group (Italy, trademarks Candy, Hoover); Gorenje (Slovenia); Atlant (Belarus). Of particular note are firms specializing in the production of refrigeration equipment, such as Liebherr (Germany) and Vestfrost (Denmark). In addition, manufacturers from Turkey and Southeast Asia are now expanding their presence in our market: Arcelik (Turkey, Beko and Blomberg trademarks); LG Electronics (Korea, trademark LG); Samsung Electronics (Korea, Samsung trademark); Matsushita Electric Industrial (Japan, trademark Panasonic); Sharp Electronics (Japan, Sharp trademark). Which firm of the refrigerator got confused? And the best one that you need! It remains to learn the details.
Which fridge is better?
Gradually "thaws" and domesticIndustry: the products of the Krasnoyarsk Refrigerator Plant Biryusa, the Moscow Household Refrigerator Plant (the ZIL trademark), the Saratov Electrounit Production Association (the Saratov trademark), the Iceberg OJSC (the Smolensk trademark) and others are on the market. Russian manufacturers. Part of the trademarks occupy "their" market segment. For example, the technique Viking (USA), Kuppersbusch (Germany), Gaggenau, Miele, Liebherr is traditionally perceived as prestigious and expensive; Indesit or Atlant refrigerators are usually classified as middle class. But judging by the brand of the quality of the refrigerator is possible only with known reservations. Moreover, the service life of household refrigerators on the Russian market should be at least 10 years.
We understand the design
The working capacity of the refrigerator is divided into two orseveral chambers (compartments), for example, in a refrigerated one with an average air temperature of 5–10 ° C and a freezer in which a negative temperature is maintained. In modern models, the so-called freshness zones are distinguished into separate chambers, where the temperature is maintained just above zero (usually +2 ° C). Such a division into compartments allows you to “comfortably” store all products — both those that are prescribed relatively high temperatures and those that should be deep-frozen. By the way, experienced housewives know that storing at too low a temperature can hopelessly spoil the taste of food. Not by chance, say, chilled meat is valued above frozen. Even foods such as chocolate and butter are afraid of frost, not to mention delicate fruits, vegetables and greens. Therefore, you should follow the rules of storage. In many models of refrigerators, pictograms are used to indicate on which shelves it is better to place certain products. Each chamber is usually equipped with its own door. This is convenient because it allows you to more accurately maintain the desired temperature and humidity. In general, the ability to comply with temperature and humidity conditions in strictly specified parameters can be considered a criterion for the quality of a refrigerator. If, for example, the temperature readings on the shelf near the door and in the depth of the chamber differ by 1 ° C, this is very good. For the sake of achieving similar results, forced ventilation systems are used in refrigerators. In some models, they can be supplied with a carbon filter - so that the flavor of cheese or fish will not be “disturbed” by the fruit dessert located nearby. In order to precisely maintain the desired temperature, some models use so-called ultrafast cooling systems (not to be confused with ultrafast freezing systems). For example, you came home from the market and put the purchased products in the refrigerator. The refrigerator reacts sensitively to a local temperature increase and sends an intense stream of cold air to the “hot spot”. Such a system allows you to avoid increasing the temperature of products stored in neighboring shelves, contributes to their better preservation.
There are several design types.refrigerators depending on the location of the freezer - top, side (Side-by-Side models) or bottom. In the latter case, the freezer is usually the largest capacity. But choose the type of refrigerator should be according to the rules of ergonomics: at the eye level should be the office (refrigerator or freezer), which you often use. It is also important physique owners of equipment. It can be difficult for tall people to “bend in three deaths”, and low, on the contrary, it is inconvenient to get food from the depths of the upper shelf, which is sometimes located at a height of 170–180 cm. The number of cameras can reach four or even five. As a rule, these are Side-by-Side models, resembling wardrobes in design (sometimes side-by-side refrigerators with a pull-out lower section French Door are in a separate group). There are single-chamber refrigerators. Most often, these are compact models designed for embedding in kitchen furniture, but there are also stand-alone devices. By placing a refrigerator and freezer under the worktop next to it, you will get a full roomy refrigerator. And you can choose a ready-made solution of this kind. For example, the kitchenette ART 306 (Whirlpool) combines a cooktop, a sink and a fridge in a common building.
Big fridges - great swimming!
Modern refrigerators are far superiormodels of past years in capacity. Side-by-Side devices with a useful volume of 500–700 liters have not yet become widespread, but this is probably a matter of time and lack of space in the kitchens. As for the average cost of refrigerators, it has been falling in recent years. After all, inexpensive Side-by-Side models from manufacturers such as Beko, LG, Samsung can be purchased for 30–35 thousand rubles. Two-compartment refrigerators of economy class for 300–400 l are even cheaper - from 13–15 thousand rubles. up to 18–20 thousand rubles. (for comparison: the total useful volume of the former leader of the domestic industry "ZIL-Moscow" is 165 liters). A compact (non-built-in) fridge “no frills” with a refrigerator with a capacity of 100–120 l can be bought for 9–11 thousand rubles.
Sometimes this affordability can playwith buyers is a cruel joke. A bulky unit in a small room can significantly complicate life. Not to mention such banality as “too narrow doors”. Therefore, choosing a large technique, make sure that its dimensions do not exceed the width of the doorway and you can generally drag it into the house. Meanwhile, if the size of your home allows, it is better to prefer a relatively low, but wide refrigerator. This design is by no means the last fashion, but it is really much more convenient to use it. Try to “fish out” from the depths of a narrow cabinet what you need when it is full! Yes, and products are stored much better if there is space between them for normal ventilation. By the way, if you believe European statistics, the optimal volume of a refrigerator is directly proportional to the number of family members. If a person lives alone, he needs a device with a capacity of up to 150 liters. For two to four people need a refrigerator with a capacity of 200-280 liters. And as a family of five or more people need to think about the locker larger - no less than 300-320 l!
All signs of modernity
Modern refrigerators are distinguished by the presence of a number ofdesign improvements that ensure the reliability and comfortable operation of these devices. Among the many innovations in the first place I would like to note the following:
- Antibacterial protection. In order to suppress the vital activity of bacteria in refrigerators, two types of protection are used. In one case, the inner chamber is made of a material containing silver ions. This, for example, AntiBacteria systems from Siemens, Silver Nano from Samsung, antibacterial coating is used in a number of models Fagor (Spain), Ariston, Blomberg, Bosch, Gorenje and other manufacturers. The second type of protection is used by Japanese companies Sharp and Toshiba. Their refrigerators are equipped with built-in ion generators. The latter not only destroy microorganisms, but also prevent the spread of odors. Sometimes, to clean the air of refrigeration cells from microorganisms and odors, systems of its filtration are used, as, for example, in some models of Whirlpool, Electrolux.
- Fast freezing (“super-freezing”). This function of the freezer allows you to quickly freeze products at low temperatures (in most cases it is –25 ° C, and in some models it drops even lower). Fast freezing is useful for better preservation of many foods. But for a long time to store them at such a low temperature does not make sense, and it is unprofitable from an economic point of view (in this mode, the refrigerator consumes a lot of energy).
- "Zones of freshness." These compartments in their temperature regime occupy an intermediate position between the refrigerator and freezer. It is good to keep fresh fish, greens, fresh meat and other tender foods in them, which do not tolerate freezing and at the same time do not tolerate long-term storage in the refrigerating chamber. According to the air humidity, “freshness zones” can be divided into “dry” and “wet”; There are also varieties of them in which the humidity of the air can be regulated.
- No frost system. This popular technology prevents the appearance of ice on the walls of the "freezer". No Frost system refrigerators do not need to be defrosted periodically (housewives know how long and troublesome this procedure can be). The main disadvantage of the technology is the accelerated dehydration of products. To avoid this, products must be stored in moisture-proof packaging. Also note that the No Frost system does not eliminate the need for regular cleaning of the fridge and freezer compartments. For the first time the system appeared exactly 50 years ago in the USA, but it became especially popular in countries with a humid climate (Japan, Korea).
- Electronic control. Unlike the electromechanical thermostat, the electronic control system allows you to set the air temperature inside each compartment with high accuracy (up to 1–2 ° C). In modern models, the electronic control panel, together with the LCD display, is often placed on the outer surface of the door. Most owners of refrigerators consider such a solution convenient, although some, on the contrary, find such an “information load” to be excessive - the temperature has to be adjusted rarely, and the screen attracts attention all the time.
Freezing by the rulesSpecialists call the processfreezing products at temperatures above –18 ° С by slow freezing. Its main drawback is that relatively large ice crystals are formed in food tissues (whether it be meat, fish or vegetables), which destroy its structure. As a result, the products lose their attractive appearance, and their taste deteriorates. If freezing is performed at a lower temperature, then large ice crystals do not have time to form, and the products are stored much better. It is important to pre-divide them into pieces of small thickness in order to minimize the freezing time. For the same use of pre-cooling of food in the refrigerator. But it is possible to store quick-frozen products at a temperature of –15 ... –17 ° С. The main thing is not to allow defrosting: products subjected to repeated strong thermal drops risk becoming completely unappetizing.
