Modern household appliances are equipped with many useful options designed to make the user’s life easier and improve the safety of products. One of these modes, often found in models of various brands, is Cool Plus. Many owners, when encountering this button on the control panel for the first time, do not fully understand its purpose and are afraid to press the “wrong” button so as not to spoil the food or disrupt the operation of the compressor.
In fact, everything is much simpler than it seems at first glance. The Cool Plus function is designed for emergency or enhanced cooling of the freezer, which is especially important when loading a large amount of fresh food or before a long absence of the owners. Unlike the standard operating mode, this algorithm forces the compressor and the refrigerant circulation system to work more intensively for a certain period time.
In this article we will analyze in detail the physical principle of the mode, analyze how it affects the temperature balance inside the chambers, and determine in which situations its use is really necessary, and in which - just a waste of electricity. Understanding these nuances will help you operate the refrigerator as efficiently as possible.
The principle of operation of the enhanced cooling mode
To understand the essence Cool Plus, you need to turn to the basic thermodynamics of the operation of the refrigeration unit. In normal mode, the refrigerator maintains the set temperature, turning on and off according to the thermostat signal. However, if the internal temperature rises sharply (for example, after placing hot food, although this is not recommended, or simply a large volume of food at room temperature), the standard cycle may not be enough to quickly reach the mode.
Activating the function Cool Plus forces the compressor to switch to continuous or rapid operation. The system ignores standard motor rest periods, focusing solely on removing heat from the freezer compartment. This allows you to quickly freeze foods, preserving their structure and beneficial properties, since slow freezing leads to the formation of large ice crystals that destroy the cell walls of vegetables, fruits and meat.
It is important to note that in some models of technology this mode may be called differently, but the essence remains similar. You can often find the designations Super Freeze, Quick Freeze or Fast Freeze. Depending on the manufacturer, the algorithm may operate on a timer (automatically switching off after 24–48 hours) or require manual shutdown by the user.
⚠️ Attention: Long-term operation of the compressor in heavy duty mode without interruption leads to increased wear of mechanical parts and increased energy consumption. Do not keep the function turned on constantly unless absolutely necessary.
Technical details of the compressor operation
In the Cool Plus mode, inverter compressors increase the rotation speed, and conventional (on/off) compressors work without stopping for cooling, which creates additional load on the starting relay and windings engine.
When it is necessary to activate Cool Plus
The use of enhanced freezing mode is justified in specific life situations. Understanding these scenarios will help you avoid food spoilage and optimize the performance of your equipment. Let's look at the main cases when pressing this button is appropriate.
First of all, Cool Plus it is indispensable when preparing food for future use. If you return from the store with several kilograms of fresh meat, fish or berries, which you plan to store in the freezer for a long time, the standard mode will not be enough. A large volume of warm food will sharply increase the temperature in the chamber, and neighboring already frozen stocks may begin to thaw. Enhanced cooling compensates for this thermal shock.
This mode is also useful before a long departure. If you are going on vacation and do not plan to open the refrigerator in the next two weeks, it makes sense to turn it on in advance to freeze all the contents as deeply as possible. This will create a kind of “thermal buffer”: even in the event of a short-term power outage, the products will remain frozen longer due to the low initial temperature. Cool Plusto freeze all contents as deeply as possible. This will create a kind of “thermal buffer”: even in the event of a short-term power outage, the food will remain frozen longer due to the low initial temperature.
- 🧊 Preparing seasonal products: quick freezing of berries, mushrooms and vegetables during the harvest period, when it is important to preserve vitamins.
- 🥩 Purchasing meat in bulk: when it is necessary to freeze a carcass or a large amount of minced meat at one time, without defrosting neighboring products.
- ✈️ Preparation for departure: creating a supply of cold before a long absence of users to insure against power outages.
- 🌡️ Temperature recovery: if the freezer door was accidentally left slightly open, and the temperature inside has risen significantly.
How to properly turn on and off the function
Mode control Cool Plus usually does not cause difficulties, but requires care, since the interfaces of control panels may differ from different manufacturers. In most modern models with electronic control, there is a separate button on the front panel with a corresponding inscription or a snowflake icon.
To activate the mode, you need to find the button Cool Plus or Super Freeze on the touch panel or among the control buttons. After pressing, the corresponding indicator should light up on the display. Some models require you to hold the button for 3-5 seconds to activate, to prevent children from accidentally pressing it.
As for turning it off, there are two options. In models with an automatic timer, the refrigerator itself will return to normal operation after a day or two, which will be indicated by the indicator going off. On manual models, you will have to keep track of the time yourself and press the button again to turn the function off. Forgetting to do this means dooming the compressor to work in extreme mode.
☑️ Algorithm for turning on the mode
The influence of the mode on food and energy consumption
Switching on Cool Plus has direct consequences both for the contents of the refrigerator and for your wallet. Intensive compressor operation means increased energy consumption. Depending on the energy efficiency class of the model and the volume of loaded products, energy consumption can increase by 15–25% during the period of operation of the function.
From the point of view of product quality, quick freezing is the most gentle method. When slowly freezing, the water inside the food cells turns into large ice crystals, which, when thawed, flow out along with the juice, taking with them the taste and nutrients. The mode Cool Plus provides a “shock” effect, creating many microscopic crystals, which keeps the structure of the product almost unchanged.
However, it is worth taking into account the temperature regime in the refrigeration chamber. Since cooling systems are often coupled (especially in models with a single compressor and a No Frost system), increased work on the freezer can lead to a decrease in the temperature in the main compartment. This is not critical for most products, but cold-sensitive vegetables (for example, cucumbers or tomatoes) can get a slight “frost burn” if they lie too close to the back wall.
| Parameter | Normal mode | Cool Plus mode |
|---|---|---|
| Operation compressor | Cyclic (on/off) | Continuous or frequent |
| Temperature in the freezer | Stable (-18°C) | Reduced to -24°C and below |
| Electricity consumption | Nominal | Increased (+15-25%) |
| Freezing quality | Standard | Maximum (preserving structure) |
Comparison of Cool Plus with other refrigerator functions
Users are often confused Cool Plus with other modes such as “Vacation” or “Eco”. It is important to clearly distinguish between their purposes so as not to have the opposite effect. The “Vacation” mode, for example, on the contrary, minimizes the operation of the refrigerator compartment (leaving the freezer to work) in order to save energy while the owners are not at home.
The function Super Cool (if it is available separately) is usually aimed at quickly cooling the refrigerator compartment, and not the freezer. While Cool Plus in most implementations it is focused specifically on deep freezing. In some advanced models, these functions can be combined into one “Intensive Cooling” algorithm, which affects both chambers.
It is also worth mentioning the “Quick Defrost” function, which is the exact opposite Cool Plus. If the first reduces the temperature as much as possible, then the second, on the contrary, can briefly turn off the compressor or turn on the heating elements to speed up the defrosting of ice (in systems where this is structurally provided for), although more often they simply wait for the natural process to defrost.
Possible problems and troubleshooting
Despite the reliability of modern systems, certain difficulties may arise when using the enhanced freezing mode. Most often they are associated with the human factor or the peculiarities of operating equipment in extreme conditions.
One of the common problems is the formation of excessive ice. If you frequently use Cool Plus and at the same time do not close the door tightly or load products with high humidity without packaging, moisture from the air will condense intensively and freeze on the evaporator. In No Frost systems, this can lead to clogging of the drainage channel and the need for manual defrosting, even if the manufacturer promised “frost-free” technology.
Another nuance is noise. In Cool Plus mode, the refrigerator can operate noticeably louder than usual. This is due to the maximum rotation speed of the fans and the operation of the compressor at maximum power. If the noise becomes unnaturally loud, accompanied by knocking or vibration, the function should be turned off immediately and the equipment checked.
⚠️ Attention: If, after turning off the mode Cool Plus the indicator continues to light and the temperature does not return to nominal within 6-8 hours, there may be a failure in the electronic control module or a freon leak. Diagnostics by a specialist is required.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to keep the Cool Plus mode on all the time?
It is strictly not recommended. Constant operation at maximum power will lead to rapid wear of the compressor, significant waste of electricity and possible freezing of food, which will make it unsuitable for food.
Does turning on Cool Plus affect the temperature in the refrigerator compartment?
Yes, it does. On models with a single cooling circuit, the temperature in the main compartment may also decrease. Be careful when storing cold-sensitive foods.
How long does the Cool Plus function work?
The operating time depends on the model. Usually this is from 24 to 72 hours in automatic mode. After this, the refrigerator should independently return to the standard operating algorithm. The exact time is indicated in the instructions for your device.
Why is the Cool Plus indicator on, even though I didn’t turn it on?
This may indicate that the mode was activated accidentally (for example, by children), or there was a failure in the system, and the refrigerator is trying to compensate for the loss of cold due to a loose door fit or a faulty sensor.
Is it possible to load hot foods when Cool Plus is turned on?
Although the enhanced cooling mode will handle the heat faster, you still shouldn’t load hot foods into the refrigerator. This creates an enormous load on the compressor and can lead to its breakdown, as well as condensation inside the chamber. Let the food cool to room temperature.