Frigo

Frigo is a term used in several Romance languages to refer to a refrigerator, an appliance that cools food to extend shelf life. In Italian, frigo is an informal short form of frigorifero; in French, frigo is a common slang for réfrigérateur or frigidaire. The device is typically built as a cabinet with a chilled compartment and, in many models, a separate freezer.

Most frigos are freestanding appliances, available in various configurations: top- or bottom-freezer, side-by-side, French-door, or compact under-counter models. Internal layouts include adjustable shelves, door racks, crisper drawers, and humidity controls. Temperature is usually set around 1–5 °C for fresh foods and about −18 °C for frozen items. Energy efficiency labels and smart features vary by region.

History: Domestic refrigeration developed from ice boxes to electrically powered units in the early 20th century. Pioneering companies such as Frigidaire helped popularize home fridges in the 1920s–1930s. Widespread adoption followed postwar prosperity and improving energy efficiency standards. Modern fridges use vapor-compression cycles or advanced technologies such as thermoelectric cooling in small units.

Maintenance and safety: Regular cleaning, door-seal checks, and defrosting (if not frost-free) help performance. Refrigerants have evolved from chlorofluorocarbons to more eco-friendly substances due to environmental concerns. Proper disposal and recycling of old units are advised, and noise, condensation, and odor can indicate faults requiring service.