Kimchi refrigerator
| Kimchi refrigerator | |
| Hangul | 김치냉장고 |
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| Hanja | 김치冷藏庫 |
| Revised Romanization | gimchi naengjanggo |
| McCune–Reischauer | kimch'i naengjanggo |
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| This article is part of a series on |
| Korean cuisine 한국 요리 조선 료리 |
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A kimchi refrigerator is a refrigerator designed specifically to meet storage requirements of various kimchi types, including temperature control and different fermentation processes. In a consumer survey aimed at Korean housewives conducted by a top-ranking Korean media agency in 2004, the kimchi refrigerator was ranked first for most wanted household appliance. Kimchi refrigerators have carved out a big niche for this new appliance, which has proven to be the 'most wanted' household item in Korea and other parts of the world as well where kimchi is eaten.
They are also great for storing wine, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and other foods because these refrigerators are designed to offer a constant-temperature environment so that you can store foods fresh much longer than ordinary refrigerators. They can also be used as freezers.
History
The prototype of kimchi refrigerators was created by Billtec in 1992. In December 1995, WiniaMando launched its first commercial brand name of 'DIMCHAE' (hangul: 딤채) into the mass market, after three years of all-comprehensive work on developing software to meet the most ergonomic nature of kimchi fermentation and storage. Now, more than a dozen home appliance manufacturers, such as Samsung and LG, are vigorously involved in commercial production of kimchi refrigerators.
Although the top-loading types were introduced first, this design took up much space and heavy plastic kimchi containers had to be lifted to get to the bottom part. The door-drawer types (the "stand-type" in Korea) are gaining popularity in recent years because of their space-saving ergonomic design. A single door with a wine-bar type design at the top can be opened in full or partially at the wine-bar section to save energy. The top portion can be also be used as a freezer. Two deep drawers make up the bottom portion to store anything from kimchi to wine, beer, etc.
References
- "How to select kimchi fridges" (PDF) (in Korean). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-14.
- "Kimchi refrigerator maintains taste of fermented food". The Korea Times. 2011-11-21. Retrieved 2013-03-23.