Fisher & Paykel RX256DT7X1 25.6 cu. ft. side-by-side refrigerator

Divide and conquer — the TriSensor system

There's a reason why all refrigerators have separate fresh food and freezer compartments — long-term and short-term storage require different temperature conditions for maximum food preservation. Why, then, do most refrigerators use a cooling system that treats the entire unit as though it were one big, single compartment? When the temp in either the fridge or freezer rises to high, the compressor kicks on, and cools both compartments. Not only do unnecessary temperature fluctuations impair food-preservation performance, but they also dramatically reduce the energy efficiency of the entire appliance. It's time for a different approach to refrigeration, one with a little more sense . . . or sensors, for that matter. Using an advanced TriSensor Control System, the Fisher & Paykel RX256DT7X1 side-by-side refrigerator carefully monitors and regulates temperatures in each compartment individually for superior temperature-control. While a thermostat in the freezer compartment controls the operation of the entire sealed refrigerator system as in most refrigerators, a second thermostat in the fresh food compartment is linked to an automatic damper system that regulates the flow of cool air into the fridge. Accordingly, when the compressor is triggered to cool the freezer, it only cools the freezer unless the second sensor indicates that the fresh food compartment also needs additional cooling. The result is improved temperature control that delivers both enhanced food preservation and increased energy efficiency. Now, if you're wondering about the TriSensor system's third sensor, read on . . .

Intelligent, adaptive, automatic defrost

Defrost cycles are essential to the overall performance level of any freezer. Every time the compressor runs or you open the freezer door, a little bit of the air in the kitchen is able to enter freezer compartment. Water vapor in that kitchen air, then, condenses and forms frost on your frozen goodies. Frost, in turn, can result in freezer burn or can accumulate, obstructing airflow and impairing uniform temperature conditions within the freezer. One way or another, however, frost is not welcome. Now, because the formation of frost is inevitable, freezers must use defrost cycles to remove frost by temporarily raising the temperature, converting the ice into liquid which can be drained away. The challenge, of course, is to maintain food preservation while the freezer is temporarily warmed. In order to achieve this, the RX256DT7X1 calls upon Adaptive Defrost and the third sensor in the TriSensor Control System. Powered by a built-in microprocessor, a defrost sensor in the freezer analyzes compressor run-times and frost loads during defrost periods and automatically adjusts subsequent run-time lengths and defrost-cycle frequency. For example, if the defrost sensor registers a heavy frost load during defrost, it will program the next defrost cycle to occur sooner. Further, future compressor run-times will be shortened to minimize the introduction of humid air. This advanced, sensor-based Adaptive Defrost system helps improve overall system efficiency by continuously adapting and customizing operation to environmental conditions.

Chilled to perfection

Different foods require different storage conditions for optimal preservation . . . and beverages are no exception. Whether you're looking to keep a bottle of champagne chilled to perfection or want to keep a gallon of milk at its peak of freshness, you often need temperature conditions that are slightly lower than those needed in the rest of the fresh food compartment. Hence the innovative Beverage Chiller compartment found in the Fisher & Paykel RX256DT7X1 refrigerator. Located on the door in the fresh food compartment, the Beverage Chiller uses a special control to regulate the amount of cool air entering its enclosed space. Accordingly, you can customize the temperature level inside the Beverage Chiller compartment to ensure optimal freshness, no matter what you're storing.

Thirst. Quenched.

It's hot. But not just any old "hot." We're talking middle-of-July-in-Phoenix hot. And, naturally, you're in dire need of a nice, tall, cool glass water. To get it, you have two choices: 1) Stand at the sink, letting the tap water run over your finger until you're sure that it's as cold as it's going to get. Or 2) go to your RX256DT7X1 refrigerator and fill your glass with fresh, filtered water and ice from the built-in ice and water dispenser system. Not only does the RX256DT7X1's dispenser serve up cool, filtered water, but it also lets you fill your glass with crushed or cubed ice. And when it comes to ice, there's plenty for all — the included removable ice bucket holds up to 310 cubes of ice, and the ice maker can produce up to 4 lbs of ice every 24 hours. So go ahead, have an exquisitely refreshing ice-water party for you and all your sun-parched friends.

"Clean up in Aisle 7!"

it's approximately 12:17 in the A.M., which means you're 17 minutes late for your midnight snack. Standing in the bright glow of the RX256DT7X1's interior light, you're searching frantically for the bottle of chocolate syrup topping for your little dish of ice cream. Finally, you spot it, and your hand shoots forward, indiscriminately knocking through a wall of other bottles and jars. You fix the chocolate syrup bottle in your grasp, and pull it out past the sea of toppled bottles. Then, just as you're about to close the refrigerator door, you notice something peculiar. There appears to be some mysterious brown mass oozing toward the edge of the shelf from which you've just plucked the syrup. After a second glance, your suspicions are confirmed — casualties of your sugar-deprived frenzy included the half-full gravy boat from dinner two nights ago. Now, if we had been talking about your old refrigerator, this story would end with you emptying the entire fridge and mopping up gravy that had flowed onto each and every shelf. But, because we're talking about the RX256DT7X1, the story has a different ending. Sporting a unique design, the RX256DT7X1's glass shelves are capable of containing up to 8.5 oz. of spilled liquid . . . meaning that you just have to quickly wipe up a mess on one shelf and get to more important things, like eating ice cream.

A little TLC for fruits and veggies, meats and cheeses

Fresh fruits and vegetables are great . . . not only are they nutritious and all that, but they're tasty, too. The key word here, however, is "fresh". Whether you buy them at the local farmer's market in the summer or at the grocery store in the winter, chances are your fresh produce isn't going to stay fresh for too long without a little TLC. To complicate the situation just a little, fruits and vegetables need different treatment to maintain optimum freshness. Enter Fisher & Paykel's RX256DT7X1 refrigerator with two humidity-controlled crisper drawers. Use the adjustable controls to set custom humidity levels that meet the unique needs of fruits and vegetables &mdash higher humidity for vegetables, lower humidity for fruits. Further, an adjustable, temperature-controlled drawer is ideal for setting the perfect conditions for foods like deli meats and cheeses.

No surprise here — ENERGY STAR qualified

Given that we've already spent a fair chunk of time discussing the ways in which the RX256DT7X1's TriSensor Control System and Adaptive Defrost optimize temperature control and minimize compressor run-times, it really should come as no surprise that this side-by-side refrigerator has earned the ENERGY STAR qualification for energy-efficient performance. After all, while TriSensor and Adaptive Defrost technology enhance food preservation, they also cut back significantly on energy consumption. Helping contribute even further to its ENERGY STAR status, the RX256DT7X1 sports a Deep Freeze system and improved insulation. First, the Deep Freeze system uses a temperature sensor to detect and react to temperature fluctuations as little as 1.4°F, helping maintain more consistent temperatures for improved preservation and efficiency. Second, the use of fully foamed doors ensures that cold air stays inside the refrigerator, and that warm air stays out. Again, as always, improved temperature control results in enhanced energy efficiency. Finally, there's even a Door Alarm that alerts you when the refrigerator or freezer door has been left ajar, ensuring that a minimum of cool air escapes.