How do freezers actually work; here’s everything you need to know

A freezer is one of the essential home appliances that help preserve food by keeping it at subzero temperatures. While their use is well documented, have you ever wondered how freezers work and how they are different from regular refrigerators? Well, it’s all about heat transfer and refrigeration cycles, and here’s what you need to know.

How freezers work: Heat and refrigeration

Freezers operate on the principle of heat transfer and refrigeration cycles to keep your food frozen. It relies on a compressor that pressurises a refrigerant gas and makes it hot. This gas is then moved through condenser coils to release heat, which is then turned into a liquid. The liquid refrigerant then flows through an expansion valve, cooling it down rapidly. 

The refrigerant then flows and evaporates inside the evaporator coils to absorb heat from the freezer and lower the temperature in the process. This cycle repeats to keep the inside of the freezer cold at all times.

The most commonly used refrigerant is HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) and the freezer also includes a thermostat to maintain the temperature, while thick insulation keeps cold air trapped inside, reducing energy consumption. Freezers come in no-frost or auto defrost systems to prevent ice buildup, whereas the manual defrost freezer requires periodic cleaning to remove accumulated ice.

How a fridge freezer works: Perfect combo

A fridge freezer combines the refrigerator and a freezer into a single unit to deliver a combo experience. It has separate cooling systems with some models offering dual cooling systems to keep the fridge and freezer compartments at optimal temperature and humidity levels.

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They also rely on fans to circulate cold air between compartments and deliver even cooling. Modern fridge freezer offers smart features such as convertible freezer modes to switch between fridge and freezer settings, Wi-Fi connectivity, app-based controls, and energy-saving technologies.

List of freezers to check out in 2025

From deep freezers, bottom mounted freezers to convertible refrigerators, these are the best freezers to check out in 2025:

Blue Star 457 Litres 3 Star Double Door Deep Freezer

For those looking for a deep freezer with a generous amount of space, the Blue Star 457 Litres 3 Star Double Door Deep Freezer is the answer. It has an ample storage capacity of 457 litres, meaning you can stock up for a month and even preserve seasonal produce. This deep freezer relies on direct cooling technology and its stabiliser-free operation makes it a reliable machine.

Samsung Bespoke 936 Litres French Door Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Refrigerator

If you are looking for a refrigerator with a side-by-side freezer then Samsung’s Bespoke model is for you. It is a premium offering with a capacity of 936 litres and uses triple cooling technology to keep food fresh for an extended period of time. There is a FlexZone compartment with five pre-set modes, including Freeze, Soft Freeze, Meat/Fish, Fruit/Veggies, and Beverage, as well as the Flex Crisper and Crisper+ options.LG 466 Litres 2 Star Double Door Convertible Refrigerator

A conventional refrigerator with ample storage and freezer capacity has to be the LG 466 Litres 2 Star Frost Free Double Door Convertible Refrigerator. It has a capacity of 466 litres and offers features such as a convertible freezer, frost-free operation and a multi-airflow system to keep your food fresh for a long duration. LG has also added smart functionality to automatically diagnose and troubleshoot problems with the machine.

LG 650 Litres Side by Side Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Refrigerator

A side-by-side refrigerator may not have the same appeal as a French door refrigerator but it is a great option for those looking for organisation, especially in the freezer area. The LG 650 Litres Side by Side Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Refrigerator is particularly designed with long and lean shelves so you can keep food fresh and frozen for long while also easily accessing it.

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The reality is that refrigerators have come a long way from a time when they were just a box full of ice. Through efficient cooling and advanced technology, refrigerators and freezers can keep food fresh longer. The decision essentially boils down to choosing between a standalone freezer or a fridge-freezer combo. With smart features, efficient cooling, and energy saving, there is a freezer for every user.