Refrigerator system having a function capable of fermenting food

A refrigerating system having a cold storage function and a fermenting function, comprising

• a first compartment constituting a cold storage compartment, said first compartment including a first heat exchanger for cooling said first compartment;
• a second compartment selectively constituting a cold storage compartment and a fermentation compartment, said second compartment including a second heat exchanger for cooling said second compartment and a heater for heating said second compartment;
• refrigerating means for cooling and circulating a refrigerant;
• a first flow passage for conducting the refrigerant to said first heat exchanger;
• a second flow passage for conducting the refrigerant to said second heat exchanger;
• refrigerant distributing means including valve means movable between:
• a first position for directing some refrigerant to said first flow passage, and some refrigerant to said second flow passage, and
• a second position for directing refrigerant to said second flow passage and blocking the flow of refrigerant to said first flow passage;
• a conduit for conducting refrigerant exiting said second heat exchanger to an inlet of said first heat exchanger;
• and control means connected to said valve means and said heater and selectively actuable for:
• positioning said valve means in said first position while at least periodically actuating said heater, to effect a fermentation operation in said second compartment, and
• positioning said valve means in said second position while keeping said heater deactivated, to effect cold storage operations in said first and second compartments.