It is unlikely that anyone else 10-15 years ago could imagine that refrigerators with so many functions will be sold today. Displays, sensors, special areas for storing vegetables, fruits, etc. All this is available to every consumer today. Let's talk with you about why you need a freshness zone in the refrigerator. What is it and how it works, we will also consider.
general information
Many who had to choose a refrigerator must have come across the expression "freshness zone in the refrigerator." What it is, that's really interesting. Speaking very simply and briefly, the freshness zone is a separate chamber, usually hermetic. Sometimes, instead of the name above, the expression "zero zone" is used. Today, the presence of such a function is considered a controversial design decision. Someone says that this zone is only needed to increase the cost of the unit, while others will say that it is simply impossible to store food without such a compartment for a long time. Almost all brands of refrigerators that are on the market have a freshness zone. An exception is budget models where the presence of such luxury is not provided. Equipment from Samsung, Bosch, Liebher is almost always equipped with a freshness zone. Let's see what consumers say about this feature.
Freshness zone in the refrigerator: consumer reviews and tips
To say that absolutely everyone is buying refrigerators with this function will be wrong. Today it is approximately 65-70% of consumers. This percentage is partly due to the high cost. On average, the freshness zone adds 5-10% of the unit price. As for the positive feedback from customers, for the most part they talk about a long storage time for products, whether it be vegetables or fruits. All this lies for a long time and does not deteriorate. This is due to a zero temperature at which bacteria practically do not develop. Pay attention to how the freshness area is located in the refrigerator. Customer reviews speak of a more preferable lower chamber than the upper. Although if the compartment is located in the freezer, and not the refrigerator, then it does not matter much. As for the negative feedback from customers, for the most part - this is a manufacturer’s marriage. For example, an unpressurized chamber - and as a result an elevated temperature in the zero zone. When buying, be sure to pay attention to the integrity of the compartment and the absence of mechanical damage.
Direct appointment of a freshness zone
As noted above, the zero chamber allows you to store food for a long time. But it is unlikely that someone will overpay 10-15 thousand rubles due to the fact that lettuce leaves lie for a week longer. That is why the zero zone allows you to store fresh meat without freezing for several days. For example, dill, parsley and lettuce will not fade and will fully retain their flavor. In principle, the essence is quite simple, it is to lower the temperature in the chamber as low as possible, but do not freeze everything stored in it. Today, one can increasingly hear that eating meat and fish that have been stored frozen for a long time is harmful, and sometimes even dangerous. Although, on the other hand, such food has always been eaten and, most likely, will be eaten. Now you know what the freshness zone in the refrigerator is for. What kind of system it is and how it works, we also figured out, and now let's move on.
About the advantages and disadvantages
We will not talk much about strengths and weaknesses. This is due to the fact that the zero zone has one big plus and one minus. The advantage is that this is the only optimal solution that will help to maintain the taste, as well as the appearance of a certain group of products. After lying for a week in such a compartment, the greens remain just as tasty and healthy. As for the disadvantage, it lies in the fact that the presence of such a function significantly increases the cost of the unit. For example, a built-in refrigerator with a freshness zone will have a price of 50,000 rubles, and a similar model, but without such a compartment, will already cost 35,000-40,000 rubles. Agree, the difference is palpable. And not everything always works as it should. The appearance of condensation or frost in the zero zone is not uncommon. Here you can give one single piece of advice. If you are not going to constantly and a lot to store greens, unfrozen meat, then you can well do without this privilege.
What should be the temperature in the freshness area of the refrigerator?
As mentioned above, the compartment must be airtight. In addition, the temperature in it should be constant, as a rule, close to zero. Please note that this should not be zero, but a little higher. If you do not keep balance, then there is no sense from such a compartment. This is due to the fact that when the temperature rises, the shelf life of the products decreases, and the freshness zone turns into an ordinary refrigerator, and when it is lowered, it is simply a freezer. But for everything to work correctly, additional equipment is needed. It is advisable to install an additional compressor and temperature sensor. In fact, we will have a small refrigerator in a large refrigerator, which is very expensive. Do not buy devices with a dependent freshness zone. The temperature in the pressurized compartment depends on the temperature in the refrigerator, and this generally makes no sense.
Conclusion
It’s hard to say what is the best fridge with a freshness area. The leaders are Liebher, Bosch, Indesit, Samsung. By the way, pay attention to the fact that in all brands the freshness zone is called differently. So, with the German company Liebher, this is BioFresh, while Indesit has Flex Cool. For a large family, a built-in refrigerator with a freshness zone is preferable, as some products will be stored there for a long time. By the way, you should not abuse it, because a long time does not mean endlessly. Though gradually, bacteria develop there, and the same meat or fruit will deteriorate. Now you know what function the freshness zone in the refrigerator performs, what it is - we also sorted it out. "To buy or not?" - you ask? It all depends on you. If the budget allows, and this compartment will not perform a purely aesthetic function, then why not ...