Frigidaire All about the Use & Care of your Freezer Instruction Manual

Table of Contents

Frigidaire All about the Use & Care of your Freezer Instruction Manual

PRODUCT REGISTRATION

Read and Save These Instructions

This Owner’s Guide provides specific operating instructions for your model. Use your appliance only as instructed in this guide. These instructions are not meant to cover every possible condition and situation that may occur. Common sense and caution must be practiced when installing, operating, and maintaining any appliance.

Record Your Model and Serial Numbers

Record the model and serial numbers in the space provided below.Model Number:Serial Number:Purchase Date:

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING!WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION!CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

IMPORTANTIMPORTANT indicates installation, operation or maintenance information which is important but not hazard-related.

WARNING!

For Your Safety

Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this unit or any other appliance. Read product labels for flammability and other warnings.
Do not operate the unit in the presence of explosive fumes.
Remove and discard any spacers used to secure the shelves during shipping. Small objects are a choke hazard to children.
Remove all staples from the carton. Staples can cause severe cuts, and also destroy finishes if they come in contact with other appliances or furniture.

WARNING!

Child Safety

Destroy carton, plastic bags, and any exterior wrapping material immediately after the unit is unpacked. Children should never use these items for play. Cartons covered with rugs, bedspreads, plastic sheets or stretch wrap may become airtight chambers and can quickly cause suffocation.
An empty, discarded appliance is a very dangerous attraction to children.
Remove the door(s) of any appliance that is not in use, even if it is being discarded.

WARNING!

Proper Disposal of Your Appliance

Risk of child entrapment

Child entrapment and suffocation are not problems of the past. Junked or abandoned appliances are still dangerous – even if they will sit for “just a few days”. If you are getting rid of your old appliance, please follow the instructions below to help prevent accidents.

We strongly encourage responsible appliance recycling/disposal methods. Check with your utility company or visit www.recyclemyoldfridge.com for more information on recycling your old appliance.

Before you throw away your old appliance:

Remove door/lid.
Leave shelves in place so children may not easily climb inside.
Have the refrigerant removed by a qualified technician.

WARNING!

Avoid fire hazard or electric shock. Do not use an extension cord or an adapter plug.Do not remove any prong from power cord.

WARNING!

Electrical Information

These guidelines must be followed to ensure that safety mechanisms in the design of this appliance will operate properly.

Refer to the serial plate for correct electrical rating. The power cord of the appliance is equipped with a three-prong grounding plug for your protection against electrical shock hazards. It must be plugged directly into a properly grounded three-prong receptacle, protected with a 15-amp time delay fuse or circuit breaker. The receptacle must be installed in accordance with the local codes and ordinances. Consult a qualified electrician. Receptacles protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are NOT RECOMMENDED. Do NOT use an extension cord or adapter plug.
If the power cord is damaged, it should be replaced by an authorized service technician to prevent any risk.
Never unplug the appliance by pulling on the power cord. Always grip the plug firmly, and pull straight out from the receptacle to prevent damaging the power cord.
Unplug the appliance before cleaning and before replacing a light bulb to avoid electrical shock.
If voltage varies by 10% or more, appliance performance may be affected. Operating the unit with insufficient power can damage the motor. Such damage is not covered under the warranty. If you suspect your household voltage is high or low, consult your power company for testing.
To prevent the appliance from being turned off accidentally, do not plug unit into an outlet controlled by a wall switch or pull cord.
Do not pinch, knot, or bend power cord in any manner.

WARNING!

Other Precautions

To defrost appliance, always unplug unit first.
Never unplug the unit by pulling on the power cord. Always grip the plug firmly and pull straight out from the receptacle.
Turning the control to OFF turns off the compressor, but does not disconnect power to other electrical components.

FIRST STEPS

This Use & Care Guide provides general operating instructions for your model. Use the unit only as instructed in this Use & Care Guide. Before starting the unit, follow these important first steps.

Location

Choose a place that is near a grounded electrical outlet.

For the most efficient operation, the appliance should be located where surrounding temperatures will not exceed 110°F (43°C). Temperatures of 32°F (0°C) and below will NOT affect operation. Additional compressor heaters are not recommended.

Allow space around the unit for good air circulation. Leave a 3 inch (75 mm) space on all sides of the unit for adequate circulation.

NOTE:The exterior walls of the unit may become quite warm as the compressor works to transfer heat from the inside. Temperatures as much as 30° F warmer than room temperature can be expected. For this reason it is particularly important in hotter climates to allow enough space for air circulation around your appliance.

Leveling

The appliance must have all bottom corners resting firmly on a solid floor. The floor must be strong enough to support a fully loaded unit.

NOTE:It is VERY IMPORTANT for your appliance to be level in order to function properly. If the unit is not leveled during installation, the door/lid may be misaligned and not close or seal properly, causing cooling, frost or moisture problems.

To level Upright Units:After discarding crating screws, use a carpenter’s level to level the appliance from front to back. Adjust the plastic leveling feet in front, ½ bubble higher, so that the door closes easily when left halfway open.

To level Chest Units:If needed, add metal or wood shims between feet pads and floor.

CAUTION!To allow door to close and seal properly, DO NOT let food packages extend past the front of shelves.

Repositioning the Mid-Level Basket (some models):

To remove the support-hanging basket, press upward on underside of front of support to release from shelf rod.
Rotate front under the shelf, and then slide support-hanging basket forward to remove from back shelf rod.
To remove shelf grommet, slide away from wall, then pull from rod.
Repeat steps 1-3 for other side.
With the shelf installed, press the 2 shelf grommets down onto the rod that is anchored into the appliance wall (located in the back only). Be sure to keep the larger end of the shelf grommets away from the wall.
Push the shelf grommets onto the shelf rod until firmly seated.
Slide the shelf grommets into the wall grommets already in the unit wall until they are flush.
Guide the support-hanging basket underneath the shelf, inserting the slotted end of the support onto the rear shelf rod.
Rotate the support-hanging basket up to bring the front end over the front shelf rod. Slide forward to locate front of support-hanging basket over front of shelf rod. Push down on support until it snaps into place.

To install the handle clips to the basket:

Place the basket on a firm, flat surface.
With the narrow side of the handle clip on the inside of the basket, snap the handle clip to the recessed area in the basket.
Once the inside surface snaps in place, continue the process by rolling the handle clip slightly outward and pressing down firmly to snap onto the outside surface. If installed incorrectly, the handle clip will not lay flat.

Door Removal (upright models)

If door must be removed, unplug the unit.

Gently lay the unit on its back, on a rug or blanket.
Remove 2 base screws and base panel.
Unplug connector, if required, by holding the cabinet connector in place, and pulling door connector out. If equipped, pull Harness Retainer from Cabinet.
Remove 4 bottom hinge screws.
Remove plastic top hinge cover.
Remove 2 screws from top hinge.
Remove top hinge from cabinet.
Remove door and bottom hinge from cabinet.
To replace door, reverse the above order and securely tighten all screws to prevent hinge slippage. Ensure the door harness is routed as shown and that the restraint clip is snapped into the cabinet.

Lid Removal (chest models)

See Instructions on hinge label. Unplug the unit.

SETTING THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Cool Down Period

For safe food storage, allow 4 hours for the appliance to cool down completely. The unit will run continuously for the first several hours. Foods that are already frozen may be placed in the unit after the first few hours of operation. Unfrozen foods should NOT be loaded into freezer until freezer has operated for 4 hours.
When loading freezer, freeze only 3 pounds of fresh food per cubic foot of freezer space at one time. Distribute packages to be frozen evenly throughout the freezer. It is not necessary to turn control knob to a colder setting while freezing food.

Electromechanical Temperature Control (chest and some upright models)

The temperature control is located inside the freezer on upright models, and on the left exterior wall on chest models. The temperature is factory preset to provide satisfactory food storage temperatures. However, the temperature control is adjustable to provide a range of temperatures for your personal satisfaction. If a colder temperature is desired, turn the temperature control knob toward COLDEST and allow several hours for temperatures to stabalize between adjustments.

NOTE:Your freezer may have some, or all of the features listed below. Become familiar with these features, and their use and care.

Electronic Temperature Control (some upright frost-free models)

The electronic temperature control is located outside the freezer on upright models. The temperature is factory preset to provide satisfactory food storage temperatures. To adjust the temperature setting, press the + button for a warmer temperature and the – button for a colder temperature on the control panel. Allow several hours for the temperature to stabilize between adjustments.

Electronic Temp Alarm

If a malfunction causes an unsafe temperature inside the freezer, the high temp will display on the control panel and the alarm will sound. To silence the alarm, press the set button next to the “alarm off” indicator on the display or any key on the control panel.

Quick Freeze

Quick freeze can be enabled by entering into the options menu on the control panel and by pressing the “set” button once the indicator is highlighted next to “quick freeze”. The unit will be in quick freeze mode for 72 hours and will show a snowflake indicator on the control panel to indicate that it is in quick freeze mode. To exit quick freeze mode, enter into the options menu on the control panel and press the “set” button once the indicator is highlighted next to “quick freeze”, after which the snowflake indicator will be removed from the control panel. Or quick freeze will end automatically after 72 hours.

Control Lock

Control lock can be enabled by entering into the options menu on the control panel and by pressing the “set” button once the indicator is highlighted next to “control lock”. A control lock icon will be displayed on the control panel to indicate that the control panel has been locked. To unlock, press and hold the set button for 3 seconds, after which the lock indicator will be removed from the control panel and the control panel has been unlocked.

Temperature Conversion

Press and hold both temperature buttons (“+” and “-“) to toggle between °F and °C.

OPTIONAL FEATURES

Power Off

To shut cooling off to the unit and to turn off the interior lights of the unit, enter into the options menu on the control panel and press and hold the “set” button for 3 seconds once the indicator is highlighted next to “power off”. “Power off” will be displayed on the control panel to indicate that the unit is in the powered off mode. To turn power back on to the unit, press and hold the “set” key for 3 seconds. Then the power off indicator will be removed from the control panel and the set point of the unit will be displayed again.

Power Fail

If your unit has lost power, the control panel will display “power fail” and the number of hours that your unit has been without power up to a maximum of 48 hrs. The alarm will sound until the condition is acknowledged by pressing the set button or any other button on the control panel.

Door Ajar

If your door has been left open for more 5 minutes, the control panel will display “door ajar” and will sound an alarm until the door has been closed or any button is pressed on the control panel. If a button on the control panel has been pressed but the door has not been closed, “door ajar” will continue to be displayed on the control panel until the door has been closed.

Sabbath Mode

The Sabbath mode is a feature that disables portions of the appliance and its controls in accordance with observance of the weekly Sabbath and religious holidays within the Orthodox Jewish community.

To turn Sabbath mode on, press and hold the “Options” button and “+” button for 5 seconds, after which “Sb” will be displayed on the control panel indicating that the unit is in Sabbath mode. To exit Sabbath mode, press and hold the “Options” button and “+” button for 5 seconds, after which the display will return to displaying the set point of the unit.

In the Sabbath mode, the High Temp alarm is active for health reasons. If a high temperature alarm is activated during this time, for example, due to a door left ajar, the alarm will sound for about 10 minutes. The alarm will then silence on its own and a “high temp” icon will be displayed on the control panel. The high temp icon will continue to display even if the door is closed until Sabbath mode is exited and the icon reset.

For further assistance, guidelines of proper usage and a complete list of models with the Sabbath feature, please visit the web at http:\\www.star-k.org.

NOTE:While in Sabbath mode, neither the lights nor the control panel will work until Sabbath mode has been deactivated.

The unit stays in Sabbath mode after a power failure recovery. It must be deactivated with the buttons on the control panel.

Power On Light

The Power On Light indicates that the appliance is properly connected to electrical power. The light glows even when the temperature control is turned to OFF. If the light goes out, refer to “Appliance does not run” in the Before You Call section.

Adjustable Shelf (some upright models)

This shelf can be moved to 1 or 2 positions. Move to the right and lift left to move to the desired location.

Slide-Aside Basket (some chest models)

This basket helps organize odd-shaped items. To reach other packages in the freezer, slide the basket aside or lift out.

Fast Freezing Shelves (manual defrost upright models)

These shelves contain cooling coils to freeze foods quickly and allow cold air to constantly circulate throughout the freezer. Do not use sharp metal objects such as ice picks or scrapers to clean the shelves. This could damage the shelves and reduce their cooling ability. These shelves are not adjustable.

Adjustable Door Bins (some upright models)

Adjustable door bins are located inside on the freezer door and provide flexible storage space. The number of bins provided varies by model.

Soft Freeze Zone (some upright models)

Soft Freeze Zone is specifically designed to maintain a higher temperature than the rest of the freezer to store products such as ice cream.

Pizza Shelf (some upright models)

Here is the place to store up to four extra-large boxes of frozen pizza without ever having to dig them out from beneath a pile of other stored goods.

The pizza shelf can be retracted to provide space for larger items on the shelf below and still store up to 2 pizzas.

Mid-Level Basket

This basket keeps things organized and slides out for easy access.

Basket Divider (some upright models)

Use these handy dividers to keep the various items stored in your baskets more organized. To change the location of the divider simply slide your basket out, grab the divider from the center and rotate in a counterclockwise direction until it is desengaged. To assemble, simply align as shown in the figure below and rotate in a clockwise direction until it spans into place.

ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

The appliance should be located in the coolest area of the room, away from heat producing appliances or heating ducts, and out of direct sunlight.
Let hot foods cool to room temperature before placing in the unit. Overloading the appliance forces the compressor to run longer. Foods that freeze too slowly may lose quality or spoil.
Be sure to wrap foods properly and wipe containers dry before placing them in the unit. This cuts down on frost build-up inside the unit.
Shelves and baskets should not be lined with aluminum foil, wax paper, or paper toweling. Liners interfere with cold air circulation, making the freezer less efficient.
Organize and label food to reduce door openings and extended searches. Remove as many items as needed at one time, and close door as soon as possible.

CARE AND CLEANING

CAUTION!Damp objects stick to cold metal surfaces.Do not touch interior metal surfaces with wet or damp hands.

Some upright freezers are frost-free and defrost automatically, but should be cleaned occasionally.

Between Defrosting

To avoid frequent defrosting, occasionally use a plastic scraper to remove frost. Scrape with a pulling motion. Never use a metal instrument to remove frost.

CAUTION!Freezer must be unplugged (to avoid electrical hazard) from power source when defrosting unit.

Defrosting

It is important to defrost and clean freezer when ¼ to ½ inch of frost has accumulated. Frost may tend to accumulate faster on upper part of the freezer due to warm, moist air entering the freezer when the door is opened. Remove food and leave the door open when defrosting the freezer.

On upright models with a defrost drain (Figure 1), remove drain plug on the inside floor of the freezer by pulling straight out. To access external drain tube on models with a base panel, first remove the 2 screws from the base panel. Locate the drain tube near the left center under the freezer. Place a shallow pan under the drain tube. Defrost water will drain out. Check pan occasionally so water does not overflow. A ½ inch garden hose adapter can be used to drain the freezer directly into a floor drain. If your model is not equipped with an adapter, one can be purchased at most hardware stores. Replace the drain plug when defrosting and cleaning are completed. If the drain is left open, warm air may enter freezer.

On chest models with a defrost drain, place a shallow pan beneath the drain outlet (Figure 2). A ½ inch garden hose adapter can be used to drain the freezer directly into a floor drain (Figure 3). If your model is not equipped with an adapter, one can be purchased at most hardware stores. Pull out the drain plug inside the freezer, and pull off the outside defrost drain plug (Figure 4).

Defrost water will drain out. Check pan occasionally so water does not overflow. Replace the drain plugs when defrosting is completed.

On models without a defrost drain, place towels or newspapers on the freezer bottom to catch the frost. The frost will loosen and fall. Remove towels and/or newspapers.
If the frost is soft, remove it by using a plastic scraper. If the frost is glazed and hard, fill deep pans with hot water and place them on the freezer bottom. Close the freezer door. Frost should soften in about 15 minutes. Repeat this procedure if necessary.

Cleaning the Inside

After defrosting, wash inside surfaces of the unit with a solution of 2 tbsp. (25 g) of baking soda in 1 qt. (1 l) warm water. Rinse and dry. Wring excess water out of the sponge or cloth when cleaning in the area of the controls, or any electrical parts.

Wash the removable parts with the baking soda solution mentioned above, or mild detergent and warm water. Rinse and dry. Never use metallic scouring pads, brushes, abrasive cleaners, or alkaline solutions on any surface. Do not wash removable parts in a dishwasher.

Cleaning the Outside

Wash the cabinet with warm water and mild liquid detergent. Rinse well and wipe dry with a clean soft cloth. Replace parts and food.

Do not use razor blades or other sharp instruments, which can scratch the appliance surface when removing adhesive labels. Any glue left from the tape can be removed with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent, or touch the residue with the sticky side of the tape already removed. DO NOT REMOVE THE SERIAL PLATE.

WARNING!If leaving door open while on vacation, make certain that children cannot get into the appliance and become entrapped.

WARNING!Do not open door unnecessarily if unit is off for several hours.

Vacation and Moving Tips

Short Vacations: Leave the appliance operating during vacations of less than 3 weeks.

Long Vacations: If the unit will not be used for several months, remove all food and unplug the power cord. Clean and dry the interior thoroughly. Leave the freezer door open slightly, blocking it open if necessary, to prevent odor and mold growth.

Moving: Disconnect the power cord plug from the wall outlet. Remove food, defrost, and then clean the appliance. Secure all loose items such as base panel, baskets, and shelves by taping them securely in place to prevent damage. In the moving vehicle, secure the unit in an upright position, and secure to prevent movement. Also protect outside of unit with a blanket, or similar item.

POWER/FREEZER FAILURE

If a power failure occurs, frozen foods will stay frozen for over 2 days (upright/convertible) or 3 days (chest) if the appliance is kept closed*. If the power failure continues, pack seven or eight pounds of dry ice into the unit every 24 hours. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Dry Ice,” “Dairies,” or “Ice Cream Manufacturers” for local dry ice suppliers. Always wear gloves and use caution when handling dry ice.

If the appliance has stopped operating, see “Appliance does not run” in the BEFORE YOU CALL section of this manual. If you cannot solve the problem, call an authorized servicer immediately.

If the appliance remains off for several hours, follow the directions above for the use of dry ice during a power failure. If necessary, take the food to a local locker plant until the unit is ready to operate. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Frozen Food Locker Plants.”

*Average cabinet temperature as tested per AHAM standard HRF-1-2007 Section 7.9 at 70º with door remaining closed.