The Cool History of Refrigerators

A kitchen is not complete without a refrigerator. To better put it, life is not complete without a refrigerator. Without one, foods will easily spoil. You cannot also be able to gulp down cool and refreshing drinks during a hot day. You cannot produce ice and store your frozen meat for the next day’s meal.

Imagine how your food experience will be if the modern refrigerator has not been invented. Hundreds of years ago, our ancestors relied on ancient methods of food preservation which is may not be as convenient and easily accessible as the modern refrigerators we have in our home. That is why we should take your refrigerators for granted. Likewise, you should call professional commercial refrigerator services if there are repairs needed.

The science of food preservation

You might not imagine how your life will be without a refrigerator. However, food preservation has been around for thousands of years ago. Before freezers and refrigerators were invented, people used to store food in cellars which were usually dug holes lined with straw or wood and filled with ice and snow.

Ancient Indians and Egyptians used earthen pots to make ice by leaving them out during cold evenings. Meanwhile, the ancient Chinese gathered ice from frozen lakes and rivers and stored them in ice cellars.

Fast forward 18th century, a lot of Europeans collected, salted, and wrapped snow ice and then stored in an underground container for a couple of months. A 2004 report from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers mentioned that ice was able to be shipped elsewhere around the world.

Nowadays, the use of a modern refrigerator accounts to almost 20 percent of total energy consumption globally as per 2015 report from the International Journal of Refrigeration. The use of a food preservation appliance such as a refrigerator is a staple among home and commercial use. Commercial refrigerators repairs services are also available in case you need immediate appliance repairs.

The modern concept of a refrigerator was conceived in the 1700s by a Scottish doctor named William Cullen. According to history, Cullen learned about the cooling effects of evaporation which inspired his breakthrough mechanical invention. However, his important invention was not practical for daily use although it showed great potential.

Several years later, a more practical refrigerating machine was developed by Jacob Perkins in 1834. It used vapor compression in creating cool temperatures which circulated within the machine. Over the years, the design concept of the refrigerating machine evolved and became patented and inspired the modern refrigerators we know of today.

Modern refrigerators

Modern refrigerators are now made by various brands and offer a wide variety of designs, features, and size. There are one-door, two-door, and even four-door refrigerators as well as mini-refrigerators. Some even have state-of-the-art features such as a touchscreen, speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Refrigerators are also being used nowadays for home and commercial use. It has basically become a part of people’s lives. Commercial refrigerator services also became available in case of repairs needed for refrigerator units. As mentioned, there are different types of refrigerators that are available to suit the consumer’s needs.

Types of refrigerators

Among common types of refrigerators include the following. Regardless of the type, it is important to keep it well-maintained at all times. In case of any defects, it is best to call commercial appliances repair personnel immediately.

  • Compressor refrigerator (known for its noisy operation)
  • Absorption refrigerator (uses any source of heat to operate)
  • Peltier refrigerators (also uses electricity)
  • Solar/thermal mass refrigerators (uses less electricity and insulation to operate)
  • Top-freezer refrigerators
  • Bottom-freezer refrigerators
  • American/side-by-side refrigerators (freezer on one side, refrigerator on the other)
  • French refrigerators
  • Compact refrigerators

Taking care of your refrigerator

No matter what type of refrigeration unit you have, it is important to have a regular maintenance schedule. Likewise, contact commercial freezer repairs companies in case your freezer or refrigerator unit shows signs of damage. Here are other tips on taking care of your refrigeration unit.

  • Clean the condenser coils at least twice per year.
  • Make sure to clean and replace the rubber door seal (gasket) if necessary.
  • Have a defrosting schedule for your freezer. If applicable, defrost if there is at least 1 inch-thick ice accumulated in the freezer.
  • Wipe the refrigerator’s interiors using a damp cloth to remove spills, food marks, and crumbs.
  • Use a deodorizer to remove unpleasant odor in your refrigerator.
  • Call commercial kitchen appliance repair companies when necessary. You can find companies offering commercial appliances repair in Springfield. Contact one today!

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