The aim of refrigeration is to produce low temperatures, and people have been trying to lower temperatures for millennia. Ancient Egyptians, for example, dipped reed mats in water they’d cooled overnight on their roofs and hung them in their home’s fenestrations. Rich people in ancient Rome pumped cold water from aqueducts into tubes behind their walls for a sort of radiant cooling. People in more temperate climates have always used ice to keep food cool, and a large block of ice covered in sawdust and kept in an ice house could last for months.

Things didn’t get too much more sophisticated until the middle of the 18th century, when Scottish professor William Cullen demonstrated how evaporative cooling could facilitate refrigeration. Evaporative cooling happens because liquids absorb heat as they evaporate. All you need to do to demonstrate this is get hot and sweaty and then sit in front of a fan. The breeze from the fan evaporates the sweat, which in turn, lowers the temperature on your skin.

Invention of the Icebox

Small enough to fit in the kitchen, the icebox descends from the ice house. The icebox that was used in homes from the early 19th to the 20th centuries was invented by Thomas Moore, a farmer who wanted to keep his butter from melting before he could sell it. The way the icebox works is simple. A block of ice is stored at the top of a chest. As cold air is heavier than warm air, it flows down from the block into the lower compartments and thus keeps everything there cool. The icebox often had a drip pan that had to be emptied every day, and eventually the block of ice itself had to be replaced. This was the job of the vaunted iceman.

The Arrival of the Refrigerator

The icebox was popular until the 1930s when it was gradually replaced by the refrigerator. Ironically, many people referred to their fridge as their “icebox.” There used to be three major types of refrigerators in the U.S. They were the:

• Electric refrigerator. Most modern refrigerators are electric refrigerators.
• Gas refrigerator. These refrigerators used a gas flame and liquid ammonia.
• Steam jet refrigerator. These refrigerators only used the heating and cooling of water to keep things cold.

What Is a Smart Refrigerator?

A smart refrigerator is one that’s hooked up to your Wi-Fi. It’s able to show you what’s in your fridge and what foods are about to go bad. It also lets you know if there’s something the matter with the fridge and lets you control the temperature and humidity remotely. Ideally, a smart fridge saves you money when it comes to your energy bill.

Call Us to Learn More About Refrigeration

Refrigeration is in and of itself a fascinating topic. However, if your fridge or freezer needs servicing, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at Pinpoint Appliance Repair of Knoxville, TN.