Modern refrigerators LG equipped with many smart functions that are designed to make life easier and extend the shelf life of food. One of the most useful options is the Express Freezemode, which often raises questions among new equipment owners. This function allows you to quickly freeze freshly loaded products, preventing the loss of their beneficial properties and structure.
Many users are faced with a situation where they need to freeze a large amount of meat, fish or berries, but the standard mode is too slow. This is where accelerated freezingcomes to the rescue, changing the algorithm of the compressor. In this material, we will look in detail at how to use this function correctly so as not to harm your appliances and maintain the quality of your food.
Understanding the operating principles of your refrigerator is the key to its long service life. The Express Freeze function forcibly turns on the compressor at maximum power, ignoring standard stop cycles. This creates extremely low temperatures in the freezer compartment in a short period of time, which is critical for proper storage.
The principle of operation of the fast freezing mode
Technology Express Freeze is based on changing the standard cooling cycle. In normal mode, the refrigerator LG maintains the set temperature by periodically turning the compressor on and off. When quick freezing is activated, the system switches to continuous operation at full capacity.
This is necessary in order to pass the critical freezing point of water in products as quickly as possible. If cooling occurs slowly, large ice crystals form inside the cells, which destroy the cell walls. As a result, after defrosting, the product loses juice, taste and texture.
Intensive cooling allows the formation of many microscopic crystals that do not damage the tissue structure. This is especially true for berries, mushrooms and soft fruits. The compressor operates without interruption until the target temperature threshold is reached or the function timer expires.
⚠️ Attention: Prolonged operation of the compressor at maximum load results in increased energy consumption and heating of the outer walls of the case. Do not leave the function turned on unless necessary.
When it is necessary to activate Express Freeze
The use of ultra-fast freezing mode is justified in specific scenarios. First of all, it loading a large volume fresh food at room temperature. If you return from the store with several kilograms of meat or fish, the standard mode may not be enough for their high-quality preservation.
The function is also useful when you plan to stock up for the winter. Vegetables, fruits and berries frozen using shock therapy retain up to 90% of their vitamins. Conventional freezing often leads to the loss of a significant portion of beneficial microelements due to oxidative processes with a slow decrease in temperature.
Another scenario is preparation for a long absence. If you are leaving and want to be sure that the food in the freezer will not suffer from rare defrosting cycles (for example, during power surges), you can pre-activate the mode.
- 🥩 You have purchased a large amount of fresh meat or fish for long-term storage.
- 🍓 It's the season of berries and fruits, and you need to preserve the crop with maximum preservation vitamins.
- ❄️ It is necessary to quickly cool defrosted products that were not needed again in frozen form.
How to turn the function on and off on the control panel
Mode control Express Freeze in refrigerators LG usually carried out via touch panel on the door or through the application SmartThinQ for models with Wi-Fi. On the physical panel you need to find a button with the corresponding inscription or icon, often designated as Freeze or a snowflake with stars.
To activate the mode, press the button once. An indicator will light up on the display to indicate that the function has started. Depending on the model, the system may offer to select a duration or operate in automatic mode. The standard operating time is about 24 hours, after which the mode turns off on its own.
If you need to turn off the function ahead of time, just press the same button again. The indicator will go out and the refrigerator will return to the standard temperature maintenance algorithm. Some electronically controlled models may require you to hold the button for 3 seconds.
☑️ Check before turning on
This is normal behavior of electronics LG.
The influence of the mode on power consumption
Mode Express Freeze is one of the most energy-intensive processes in the operation of the refrigerator. The compressor runs continuously, without rest cycles, which leads to a significant increase in electricity consumption. If in normal mode an A+ class refrigerator consumes about 1 kWh per day, then in fast freezing mode this figure can increase 2-3 times.
However, given that the function operates for a limited time (usually no more than a day), the final impact on the monthly electricity bill remains insignificant. The economic feasibility of using the mode is high, given the cost of spoiled products that could have been saved.
For owners of tariffs differentiated by time of day (day/night), it makes sense to plan to load products and turn on the mode at night, when the tariff is lower. This will slightly compensate for the increased consumption.
| Parameter | Normal mode | Express Freeze mode |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor operation | Cyclic (on/off) | Continuous |
| Temperature in the chamber | -18°C.. -24°C | up to -30°C and below |
| Noise level | Standard | Maximum |
| Energy consumption | Normal | Increased (x2.5) |
⚠️ Attention: During prolonged operation in maximum power mode, the heat exchangers on the rear wall may get very hot. Make sure that the refrigerator is at least 10 cm from the wall for normal ventilation.
Rules for placing food during quick freezing
For the function Express Freeze to work effectively, it is not enough just to press the button. Proper placement of food in the freezer is critical. Cold air should circulate freely, so do not fill the chamber to capacity when the mode is turned on.
It is best to place fresh food on special quick-frozen shelves, which are often marked with a snowflake or star symbol. In refrigerators LG this is usually the top shelf or drawer at the top of the freezer compartment. This is where the temperature drops first.
Products must be packaged airtight. Using vacuum bags or containers with a tight lid will prevent moisture from freezing out (sublimation) and odors from mixing. In addition, flat packaging freezes faster than bulky pieces.
Is it possible to open the door while Express Freeze is running?
Opening the door is possible, but not advisable. Every time you open your freezer, warm, moist air flows in. In fast freeze mode, the system will try to cool this volume, which will increase the operating time of the compressor and may lead to the formation of excessive ice on the evaporator. Try to put all the food in before turning on the mode and do not open the door for the first 2-3 hours.
Do not put warm or hot foods directly into the freezer, even with the mode on. This will create a tremendous load on the compressor and can lead to overheating or failure. Allow the food to cool to room temperature.
Differences between Express Freeze and Smart Cooling and other LG technologies
Refrigerators LG use many technologies, and users often confuse Express Freeze with the system Smart Cooling or DoorCooling+. It is important to understand the difference: Smart Cooling is a temperature monitoring and maintenance system that works constantly and unnoticed by the user, adjusting the operation of the compressor to current conditions.
Express Freeze is a manual or semi-automatic mode that requires user intervention to solve a specific task. This is "turbo mode", while Smart Cooling is "autopilot". They are not mutually exclusive, but complementary: while you manually start quick freezing, the Smart Cooling system continues to monitor the uniformity of cold distribution.
There is also a function Ice Plusthat works on a similar principle, but is aimed exclusively at accelerating the production of ice in the ice maker. If your goal is to get ice for a party, you need to turn on Ice Plus, not Express Freeze, although the principles of their compressor operation are identical.
- 🌡️ Smart Cooling — constant background monitoring and temperature adjustment.
- ❄️ Express Freeze — manual mode for emergency cooling of products.
- 🧊 Ice Plus — specialized mode for accelerated ice making.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of functions may differ depending on the series of the refrigerator (for example, LG Door-in-Door, LG InstaView or classic models). Always check the instructions for your specific model, as the location of the buttons and menu logic may change.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How long does the Express Freeze mode work automatically?
In most refrigerator models LG timer The fast freeze mode is set to 24 hours. After this time has elapsed, the function turns off automatically and the refrigerator returns to standard temperature settings. However, the user can turn off the mode manually at any time.
Is it harmful to frequently turn on Express Freeze for a compressor?
Modern linear inverter compressors installed in refrigerators LGare designed for frequent changes in operating modes. Short-term operation at maximum power does not cause critical harm to the unit if the operating rules are followed. However, constant operation 24/7 without breaks really reduces the service life of the equipment.
Why does the refrigerator hum loudly after turning on Express Freeze?
Increased noise is associated with the operation of the compressor at full speed and the increased rotation speed of the system fans No Frost for intense air circulation. This is the normal situation for maximum performance mode. After turning off the function or reducing the temperature in the chamber, the noise level will return to normal values.
Can Express Freeze be used to defrost food?
No, the function Express Freeze is intended exclusively for freezing. To defrost food, you should use the gentle defrosting modes (if available on your model) or simply leave the food in the refrigerator compartment. Trying to use a freezer for defrosting with the freezing mode turned on will result in food spoilage.