No frost / auto defrost
The appliance defrosts itself: frost is removed without you starting anything and the water drains away automatically. In fan appliances dry cold air is blown round the compartments so ice does not build up. The regulation calls this ‘auto-defrost’; the opposite is ‘manual defrost’.
What the manuals say to do
Nothing to switch on. Keep food wrapped or covered and the air openings clear — Liebherr says never to block the air slits in the fan, because poor ventilation reduces cooling and raises energy use. It no longer needs a defrosting session.
What it does not mean
It does not mean the appliance never needs cleaning, and it is not a function you can turn off. An appliance without it is not faulty when ice builds up: a ‘static’ freezer has to be defrosted by hand.
Makes differ, check your fridge’s manual: the same drawing can mean different things on different brands, and only your model’s manual says exactly what a button does, what temperature it sets and when it switches itself off.
- What it looks like
- Usually a word mark on the door trim or rating plate (“NoFrost”, “Frost Free”) rather than a button; our drawing shows a snowflake struck through.
- Names used
- NoFrost (Bosch, Liebherr, Miele); Auto-defrost (Regulation 2019/2016); New-generation cooling technology (Electrolux); Frost free
Where makers differ
Electrolux explains the difference: in static fridges ice builds up and regular defrosting is required; in its “new-generation cooling technology” a fan blows dry cold air to prevent it. Bosch’s NoFrost text speaks of the freezer section only, so read your manual to see which compartments it covers.
Other symbols with the same shapes
Sources
No public standard defines this panel symbol, so its meaning is taken from the manuals of 3 different maker groups (Bosch, Liebherr, Electrolux), each fetched and read on the date shown; the regulation’s definition is listed first:
- EU / UK law: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 — Annex I, Definitions applicable for the Annexes, on legislation.gov.uk — Point 16: “‘auto-defrost’ means a feature by which compartments are defrosted without user intervention to initiate the removal of frost accumulation at all temperature-control settings or to restore normal operation, and the disposal of the defrost water is automatic”; point 18: “‘manual defrost’ means not having an auto-defrost function”. Checked 2026-09-27.
- Bosch: Bosch — Instructions for use, fridge-freezer KGN.. (9001101173 F, PDF) — “The fully automatic NoFrost system ensures that the freezer section remains free of ice. Defrosting is no longer required.” Checked 2026-09-27.
- Liebherr: Liebherr — User guide, built-in combined fridge-freezer HCB 1060 (7086622-03, 2021-04-09, PDF hosted by a Liebherr parts store) — “6.1 Defrosting with NoFrost … The NoFrost system defrosts the appliance automatically.” Checked 2026-09-27.
- Electrolux: Electrolux — User manual, freezer-fridge RCB732E5MX (PDF) — “Other (static) fridges may experience a build up of ice … regular defrosting is required … In fridges with new-generation cooling technology, a fan blows dry cold air evenly … preventing humidity and ice build-up.” Checked 2026-09-27.
Written in our own words; quotations are the regulation’s or the makers’ wording.