Two-chamber refrigerators in everyday life are most effective: they are spacious, functional, and convenient to care for and maintain. Practicality and durability combined with reasonable cost are the main criteria for choosing the right model. Are all two-compartment refrigerators designed the same way? To make a successful purchase, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristic features of this kitchen equipment.
Two-compartment refrigerator with bottom freezer in the kitchen interior
Types of two-chamber refrigerators
It may seem to an ignorant person that the device of a household refrigerator is of the same type: two-chamber or with a single space - it does not matter, but this is a mistake. Two-chamber units differ not only in appearance, functionality, but also in the presence of important nodes. Even where the freezer will be - top or bottom, matters.
By camera location
Stationary refrigerators are most often with two chambers: a refrigerator and a freezer. Compartments can be placed one above the other or in parallel in a vertical plane. Options for placing offices:
- The freezer occupies the top. Typically, the low temperature section is small compared to the refrigeration section.
- The bottom location of the freezer. The design is convenient in that the products in the compartment that is most often used are at the level of the human eye.
- "French door." The freezer is at the base, at the top is a double-wing refrigeration compartment. The advantages of this type are its large capacity and ease of use.
- Premium Side-by-Side models (side by side). The minus and plus branches are located nearby, on the same level. This overall equipment, similar to a cabinet, stands out against the background of standard refrigerators.
Two-door refrigerator "French door"
By type of defrost
Manual defrosting was used in obsolete units. There is only one door in such refrigerators, and a small freezer is built into the main space and opens with a sash. To get rid of ice, it is necessary to turn off the refrigerator once a month and leave it for several hours, constantly removing water.
The drip system, the so-called weeping system, works in refrigerators with automatic defrosting. Ice freezes on the back wall, and during the compressor’s rest it melts, water flows down the gutter into the outlet channel. The freezer is thawed manually.
No Frost - "no frost", this option involves preventing the formation of ice. A working fan drives the air mass, moisture does not condense, frost does not form. Combined models are most preferable: drops in the refrigerator compartment, know-how frost in the freezer.
Refrigerator Know Frost with two chambers
By the number of compressors
Previously, household refrigerators were equipped with one engine, but technological progress has led to the emergence of two-compressor units, which affects the power and energy consumption of the refrigerator.
A single compressor can let refrigerant flow through one or two cooling circuits, depending on the availability of the solenoid valve. If there is such a valve, then you can stop the operation of the refrigerator compartment or select the modes for each of the compartments.
Each department has its own motor and cooling circuit in a two-compressor refrigerator.Such models are freed from increased loads in the summer, and working in the optimal mode reduces electricity consumption.
Important! Noise level is reduced, in comparison with the simplified analogs. You can adjust the temperature and defrost the freezer part autonomously.
Dual-circuit refrigerator
How is a two-chamber refrigerator
The design of the unit consists of the following main components:
- compressor;
- capacitor;
- evaporator;
- temperature regulator.
The refrigerant circulates in the tube system - freon or isobutane. Cold does not occur on its own, it is only the result of heat extraction from the interior of the refrigerator. The principle of operation is based on cyclical work: the engine starts the piston, which pumps pressure, the compressed freon from the evaporator is distilled through the system. Passing through the condenser tubes, the refrigerant gets rid of the heat received, cools and becomes liquid. Through the desiccant through the capillaries, freon moves to the evaporator. Such a cycle lasts until the temperature in the refrigerator reaches the set value. Then the start relay turns off the motor.
The main feature of a modern two-chamber refrigerator is that there are two evaporators in the design. In older models, this element was one and was usually located in the inner contour of the freezer. Now the autonomy of the departments allows you to better control the level of cold, which contributes to the insulating partition. The positive compartment evaporation system only starts to work after the freezer has cooled sufficiently.
Refrigerator device
Electric circuit
The temperature set using the temperature control knob or electronic control buttons is controlled by a thermal relay. It gives a signal to the compressor, and it turns on or stops. If cold is generated, rated power is output, relay contacts are closed, electric current flows through the circuit. When the desired coolness is reached inside the chamber, the contacts of the thermal relay open, the compressor engine turns off. The figure shows the electrical circuit of a two-chamber refrigerator.
Schematic arrangement of a two-chamber refrigerator
How much does a refrigerator with two compartments weigh
The mass of a two-chamber refrigeration unit depends on several parameters:
- dimensions;
- materials;
- number of compressors;
- internal filling (glass or plastic shelves, drawers).
Refrigerators that are manufactured using old technologies often weigh more than their modern counterparts of the same size. This is due to the fact that previously heavy materials were used for manufacturing. The usual Biryusa refrigerator with a height of 145 cm has a weight of 48 kg.
Important! Similar in appearance, two-chamber models produced by different companies may differ in weight. A two meter tall unit can have a mass less than a low instance. The Atlant single-compressor refrigerator is quite light - only 55 kg, the two-compressor refrigerator - just over 60 kg due to an additional part.
I wonder how much the Liebherr luxury two-chamber refrigerator, consisting of two upright cabinets, weighs. It seems very bulky, but it has separate sections, this simplifies the movement of expensive equipment.
Side-by-side refrigerator
How to choose a good two-chamber unit
Before buying a refrigerator, you need to decide on the dimensions, because the device will require a lot of space in the kitchen. It is worth considering the height of the ceiling, the location of the heater and stove, the width of the doorway. It is also important in which direction the wings will open. In addition, you need to understand what functionality is required from the refrigerator. What are the selection criteria?
- The internal volume of the cameras. There is a difference, one person purchases a refrigerator or a large family, because the set of stored products is very different. 180-200 liters is enough for a couple. Larger compartment means higher energy consumption.If you need to store a lot of frozen food, it is advisable to choose a unit with a large freezer.
- The location of the cameras. A lower freezer is preferable than an upper one, because the refrigerator compartment is used more often. It is convenient to take out and lay products without tilting. If the low-temperature section is at the base, it is easier to roll out the drawers.
- Ergonomics. Here is the possibility of outweighing the doors, and the material of the shelves (glass is convenient to wash, and the grilles freely let air through), and pleasant trifles, and electronic modes, and the presence of wheels to move. Seals must be flexible, and the opening force is sufficient, but not increased.
- Type of compressor. The inverter unit is more modern, produces less noise, it is more durable. Two compressors allow you to turn off one of the cameras, leaving the other in active mode.
- Noise and electricity costs. A good refrigerator should not make noise more than 40 decibels, the energy class is better to choose A, but not lower than C.
- Functionality and cost. The presence of additional devices and functions usually significantly increases the price of household appliances.
Clear plastic and glass make searching easy
Popular models
For a brief acquaintance, refrigerators with fundamental differences in the placement of compartments were selected.
Indesit DF 4180W
The freezer is located below. Unit width - 60 cm, depth - 64, height - 185. Weight 66.5 kg. The total volume is 302 liters. Defrosting each branch - No Frost. Glass shelves, doors rearranged. Mechanical type control, single compressor, energy class A.
Samsung RT-25 HAR4DWW
Dimensions of this relatively small model: width 55.5 cm, depth 67.4 cm, vertical size 169.8 cm. The capacity of the refrigerator is 202 liters, the freezer is 53 liters. It is controlled by an electronic menu with a display, it has one inverter compressor. The freezer is on top. Of the additional options is an ice generator.
Liebherr SBS 7212
The two-compressor refrigerator has two vertical sections with a total volume of 651 liters. The width of the two sections is 121 cm, the height is 185.2 cm. The degree of Celsius is regulated by the electronic board, energy class A +. The freezer compartment is freed from frost with the help of the know frost function, the refrigeration compartment is dripped. The refrigerator is equipped with indicators for increasing temperature and an open door. There are super-cooling and super-freezing functions.
Liebherr SBS 7212 - perfection itself
Basic features and nice bonuses are not all that you need to consider when choosing a two-chamber refrigerator. You should pay attention to the appearance of the unit, take a closer look at the little things, and also take an interest in the reviews of other buyers.
