look news india
As soon as the summer season arrives, the use of refrigerator increases drastically in every house. To escape from the scorching sun and humidity, many things like cold water, piles of bottles, leftover food from the night, fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits, milk-curd, ice cream and shakes are kept in the fridge. Many people keep everything from spices to dry fruits in the fridge so that they do not spoil.
Often the situation becomes such that not even an inch of space is left for the circulation of cold air inside the refrigerator. Although this may seem very normal or common to you, but according to experts, overloading the fridge beyond its capacity can not only make the machine junk, but it can also prove to be extremely dangerous for your health. Let us know the 4 major disadvantages of overloading the fridge and the science behind it.
1. Food can rot due to stoppage of cold air flow
The simple principle of working of the refrigerator is that cold air continuously comes out from the air vents inside it, which circulates throughout the cabinet and keeps the temperature under control. When you completely block the fridge with stuff, this natural flow of cooling air (air circulation) stops.
The result is that cold air does not reach some parts of the refrigerator at all. In such a situation, milk, curd, cooked food, curry leaves and cut fruits kept inside the refrigerator start rotting or getting spoiled before the stipulated time. Eating such contaminated food significantly increases the risk of food poisoning and stomach upset.
2. Electricity bill will increase at the speed of bullet train
When the refrigerator is filled with goods more than its capacity, the temperature inside starts increasing continuously. To bring this increased temperature back to the cooling level, the refrigerator system has to work twice as hard as normal.
To maintain the temperature, the thermostat continuously sends signals and the refrigerator runs continuously for 24 hours without auto-cut. When the fridge works at full load without any break, its direct and indirect impact will be visible on your household electricity bill every month.
3. Pressure increases on the compressor, life of the fridge decreases
Like AC, the most expensive and main part of the refrigerator is its Compressor It happens. When there is continuous excess pressure on the compressor due to overloading, the internal parts of the machine start overheating.
Keeping the fridge overloaded for a long time can cause the compressor to blow prematurely or cause a short circuit. Due to heavy load, the efficiency of the machine decreases and the fridge which could easily last for 10 to 12 years, within 3-4 years becomes a necessity to call the mechanic again and again.
4. Due to mixing of old and new food, a terrible smell starts coming.
A major disadvantage of stuffing too many things in the fridge is that the things kept at the back often disappear from our sight. Many times, two-three days old leftover food or vegetables like pumpkin and tomato get rotted when kept behind and we don’t even realize it.
The bacteria and fungus of rotten food spread throughout the air of the fridge, due to which a terrible and strange smell starts emanating as soon as the fridge is opened. This smell also gets absorbed in fresh milk or water kept in the refrigerator, due to which the entire hygiene level gets spoiled.
Smart Kitchen Hacks: 3 easy rules to manage the fridge properly
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Follow the 70-30 rule: Always clean your fridge only 70% Fill only and at least Always keep 30% empty So that cold air can easily reach every corner.
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Weekly cleaning is necessary: Do a complete scrutiny of the fridge at least once a week (like Sunday). Throw stale food or rotting vegetables in the dustbin immediately.
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Uses of Fridge Covers and Containers: Instead of keeping things directly in polythene, keep them organized in airtight transparent containers. This will save space inside the fridge and there will be no problem of bad smell.