Difference between frost-free and auto-defrost fridge freezers?

Ditto

I'm looking at fridge freezers and see the terms frost-free and auto-defrost, what is the difference?

ie
http://www.bootskitchenappliances.com/Product_Listings.aspx?Refresh=True&SubCategory=10&ManID=49&FitID=2&BaseColourID=340&PriceLow=200&PriceHigh=299

adsk

Auto-defrost applies to the fridge part. I think all fridges offer auto-defrost nowadays.

Frost-free applies to the freezer. I've had frost-free freezers for about 15 years and would not consider buying a freezer that wasn't frost free i.e. no defrosting! Frost-free fridge freezers do use a little more electricity than standard freezers and the frost free mechanism takes up some room so a freezer that is frost free will have less usable space than a freezer of the same external dimensions as one that does not have this feature.

Ditto

I just wondered what the difference in terms meant...

Thanks:beer:

CKdesigner

Hi

Self defrosting is the action in a fridge. The rear internal wall or condenser plate freezes up then will turn off for a while so the ice on the surface melts, drips into a gulley underneath, then goes through a hole and tube to a tray on top of the motor. The heat from the motor will then evaporate this water. Obviously this system will only work in fridges as the internal temperature should always be over zero degrees.

Frost free usually refers to freezers, there are internal vents which allow the system to create an airflow. This pushes cold dry air into the chamber and removes warm moist air. Frost free has other little benefits over conventional freezers like all the food is frozen individually so you will find frozen peas etc. stay free flowing rather than freeze into a lump.

deanos

Frost free is also a bit noiser well ours is grrr, maybe because ours has the cold air in the frigde as well as the freezer part