To prevent ice from blocking airflow and ruining cooling efficiency, the fridge enters a (usually 1–4 times per day, lasting 15–30 minutes). A heating element under the evaporator coils warms up, melting the frost into liquid water.
Crucially, this pan sits directly above or adjacent to the and condenser coils , which get hot during operation (up to 60–90°C / 140–194°F). The heat radiates upward into the pan. fridge drain hole where does the water go
So, No plumbing connection needed. It’s a closed-loop, passive system that relies on gravity and waste heat—a simple, elegant piece of engineering you probably never see working, until it breaks. To prevent ice from blocking airflow and ruining
When warm, moisture-laden air hits the freezing evaporator coils, condensation occurs. But because the coils are below freezing, the water doesn’t just bead up—it freezes instantly into frost. Over time (e.g., during normal compressor cycles), this frost builds up. The heat radiates upward into the pan