Food storage device employing a thermoelectric element as a heat source and sink

A food storage device provided with a food compartment within which the food is contained, the food storage device comprising:

• a circulation tube for providing a fluid with a flow path arranged around the food compartment;
• a heat exchanger connected to both ends of the circulation tube to thereby form a closed flow path for the fluid together with the circulation tube;
• at least a pump mounted to one portion of the closed flow path so as to forcibly circulate the fluid along the closed flow path;
• and
• a thermoelectric element including a first heat transfer plate in thermal contact with said heat exchanger for heating the fluid in a fermenting mode of the food storage device and for cooling the fluid in a refrigerating mode of the food storage device, thermoelectric material and a second heat transfer plate opposed to the first heat transfer plate about the thermoelectric material to be in an external environment, the first and the second heat transfer plates adhering to the thermoelectric material, respectively.