CHiQ Refrigerator Operation Manual

Introduction

Dear users, this manual contains the product's basic knowledge, how to use it, fault diagnosis, and basic troubleshooting methods. In order to better understand and use this product, please take good care of this manual and read it carefully.

I. SAFETY

WARNING!

It is hazardous for anyone other than authorized service personnel to carry out servicing or repairs which involves the removal of covers. To avoid the risk of an electric shock, do not attempt to repair this appliance yourself.

WARNING!

Risk of fire / flammable materials.

Safety tips

• Do not use electrical appliances such as a hair dryer or heater to defrost your Freezer.
• Containers with flammable gases or liquids can leak at low temperatures.
• Do not store any containers with flammable materials, such as spray cans, fire extinguisher refill cartridges etc., in the Freezer.
• Do not place carbonated or fizzy drinks in the Freezer compartment. Ice lollies can cause "Frost/Freeze burns" if consumed straight from the Freezer.
• Do not remove items from the Freezer compartment if your hands are damp/wet, as this could cause skin abrasions or "Frost/Freezer burns". Bottles and cans must not be placed in the Freezer compartment as they can burst when the contents freeze.
• Manufacturer's recommended storage times should be adhered to. Refer to relevant instructions.
• Do not allow children to tamper with the controls or play with the Freezer. The Freezer is heavy. Care should be taken when moving it. It is dangerous to alter the specification or attempt to modify this product in any way.
• Do not store inflammable gases or liquids inside your Freezer.
• If the power cable is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard.
• This appliance can be used by children aged from 8 years and above and persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance in a safe way and understand the hazards involved. Children shall not play with the appliance. Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.
• This appliance is intended to be used in household and similar applications such as: staff kitchen areas in shops, offices and other working environments; farm houses and by clients in hotels, motels and other residential type environments; bed and breakfast type environments; catering and similar non-retail applications.
• Keep ventilation openings in the appliance enclosure or in the built-in structure clear of obstruction.

Do not use mechanical devices or other means to accelerate the defrosting process, other than those recommended by the manufacturer.

Do not damage the refrigerant circuit.

Do not store explosive substances such as aerosol cans with a flammable propellant in this appliance.

WARNING: Do not use electrical appliances inside the food storage compartments of the appliance, unless they are of the type recommended by the manufacturer.

WARNING: Refrigerating appliances (in particular a refrigerator-freezer Type I) might not operate consistently (there is possibility of defrosting of contents or temperature becoming too warm in the frozen food compartment) when sited for an extended period of time below the cold limit of the temperature range for which the refrigerating appliance is designed.

WARNING: It is necessary that, for doors or lids fitted with locks and keys, the keys be kept out of the reach of children and not in the vicinity of the refrigerating appliance, in order to prevent children from being locked inside.

WARNING: The refrigerant used in your appliance and insulation materials needs special disposal procedures.

WARNING: When positioning the appliance, ensure the supply cord is not trapped or damaged.

WARNING: Do not locate multiple portable socket-outlets or portable power supplies at the rear of the appliance.

Children aged from 3 to 8 years are allowed to load and unload refrigerating appliances.

To avoid contamination of food, please respect the following instructions:

• Opening the door for long periods can cause a significant increase of the temperature in the compartments of the appliance.
• Clean regularly surfaces that can come in contact with food and accessible drainage systems.
• Clean water tanks if they have not been used for 48 h; flush the water system connected to a water supply if water has not been drawn for 5 days.
• Store raw meat and fish in suitable containers in the refrigerator, so that it is not in contact with or drip onto other food.
• Two-star frozen-food compartments are suitable for storing pre-frozen food, storing or making ice-cream and making ice cubes.
• One-, two- and three-star compartments are not suitable for the freezing of fresh food.
• If the refrigerating appliance is left empty for long periods, switch off, defrost, clean, dry, and leave the door open to prevent mould developing within the appliance.

Electrical Connection

WARNING

This appliance should be properly grounded for your safety. The power cord of this appliance is equipped with a three-prong plug which mates with the standard three prong wall outlets to minimize the possibility of electrical shock.

Do not, under any circumstances, cut or remove the third ground prong from the power cord supplied.

This refrigerator appliance requires a standard 220-240VAC 50Hz electrical outlet with three-prong ground.

This refrigerator appliance is not designed to be used with an inverter.

The cord should be secured behind the appliance and not left exposed or dangling to prevent accidental injury.

Never unplug the refrigerator by pulling the power cord. Always grip the plug firmly and pull straight out from the receptacle.

Do not use an extension cord with this appliance. If the power cord is too short, have a qualified electrician or service technician install an outlet near the appliance. Use of an extension cord can negatively affect the performance of the unit.

Improper use of the grounded plug can result in the risk of electrical shock. If the power cord is damaged, have it replaced by an authorized service center.

Climate Range

The information about the climate range of the appliance is provided on the rating plate. It indicates at which ambient temperature (that is, room temperature, in which the appliance is working) the operation of the appliance is optimal (proper).

Note! Given the limit values of the ambient temperature range for the climate classes for which the refrigerating appliance is designed and the fact that the internal temperatures could be affected by such factors as location of the refrigerating appliance, ambient temperature and the frequency of door opening, the setting of any temperature control device might have to be varied to allow for these factors, if appropriate.

If the power cable is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard.

Locks

If your Refrigerator is fitted with a lock, keep the key out of reach and not in the vicinity of the appliance to prevent children being entrapped. When disposing of an old Refrigerator, break off any old locks or latches as a safeguard.

II. Product features

The refrigerator uses a freon-free refrigerant (R600a) and environmentally friendly foaming insulation material (cyclopentane), which causes no damage to the ozone layer and has a very small impact on global warming. R600a is flammable; while sealed in the refrigeration system, it is safe during normal use. However, in case of refrigerant leakage due to damage to the refrigerant circuit, keep the appliance away from open flames and open windows for ventilation as quickly as possible.

Components:

Diagram showing the interior of a refrigerator with numbered parts:

• 1. Chill door
• 2. Thermostat
• 3. Drip tray
• 4. Glass Shelf
• 5. Adjustable front feet
• 6. Plastic retaining

Due to technological innovation, the descriptions of the product in this manual may not be completely consistent with your refrigerator. Details are in accordance with the material item.

III. Preparations for use

Installation location

1. Ventilation condition

   The position selected for refrigerator installation should be well-ventilated and have less hot air. Do not locate the refrigerator near a heat source such as a cooker or boiler, and avoid direct sunlight, to guarantee refrigeration effect while saving energy consumption. Do not locate the refrigerator in a damp place to prevent rusting and electrical leakage. The total space of the room in which the refrigerator is installed, divided by the refrigerant charge amount of the refrigerator, shall not be less than 8 g/M³.

   Note: The amount of refrigerant charged for the refrigerator can be found on the nameplate.

2. Heat dissipation space

   When working, the refrigerator dissipates heat to its surroundings. Therefore, at least 300mm of free space should be spared at the top, more than 100mm on both sides, and above 50mm at the back of the refrigerator.

   Dimensions (in mm)

   W	D	H	A	B	C(")	E	F
   470	447	496	792	923	130# 5	30	100

   Diagrams (Fig. 1, Fig. 2) illustrate product space demand size schematic diagrams.

Level ground

Place the refrigerator on a solid and flat ground (floor) to keep it stable; otherwise, it may cause vibration and noise. When the refrigerator is placed on flooring materials such as carpet, straw mat, or polyvinyl chloride, solid backing plates should be applied underneath the refrigerator to prevent color change due to heat dissipation.

Unobstructed ventilation shall be maintained around the appliance or in an embedded structure.

Preparations for use

1. Standing time

   After the refrigerator is properly installed and cleaned, do not switch it on immediately. Ensure it stands for more than 1 hour before energizing to ensure normal operation.

2. Cleaning

   Confirm the accessory parts inside the refrigerator and wipe the inside with a soft cloth.

3. Power-on

   Insert the plug into a solid socket to start the compressor. After 1 hour, open the freezer door; if the temperature inside the freezer compartment drops obviously, it indicates the refrigeration system is working normally.

4. Storage of food

   After the refrigerator runs for a period, the internal temperature will be automatically controlled according to the user's temperature setting. After the refrigerator is fully cooled, put in foods, which usually need 2-3 hours to be fully cooled. In summer, when the temperature is high, it takes more than 4 hours for foods to be fully cooled. Try to open the refrigerator door as little as possible before the internal temperature cools down.

   If the refrigerator is installed in a moisture place, check if the ground wire and leakage circuit breaker are normal. If vibration noises are produced due to the refrigerator contacting the wall, or if the wall gets blackened by air convection around the compressor, move the refrigerator away from the wall. Setting up the refrigerator may cause jamming noise or image chaos to mobile phones, fixed-line telephones, radio receivers, or television sets; keep the refrigerator as far away as possible in such cases.

IV. Functions

Temperature setting

The fridge and freezer temperatures are controlled by the thermostat installed on the fridge inner wall. It is strongly recommended to use a cryostat to check whether the freezer temperature is below -18°C before loading any food, which may take 2-3 hours.

Scale marks on the knob switch indicate the temperature mode rather than the exact temperature. "0" indicates "OFF", and "7" the lowest temperature mode.

Make sure to adjust the knob switch to mode "4", and use a suitable thermometer to check the temperature after two hours. The fridge temperature should be between 0°C and +8°C, and the freezer temperature between -16°C and -25°C. To lower the temperature, adjust the knob switch to mode "7" and check the values in one hour.

Note: When the refrigerator/freezer is located in a particularly hot or cold room, or the doors are opened too frequently, it may not be operating under the desirable temperature.

Diagram of a temperature setting dial with numbers 0-7 and "OFF".

V. Instructions for food storage

Precautions for use

• The appliance might not operate consistently (possibility of defrosting or temperature becoming too warm in the frozen food compartment) when sited for an extended period of time below the cold limit of the temperature range for which the refrigerating appliance is designed.
• The information of climate type of the appliance is provided on the rating plate.
• The internal temperature could be affected by factors such as the location of the refrigerating appliance, ambient temperature, and frequency of door opening. Adjusting the temperature control device might be necessary to allow for these factors.
• Effervescent drinks should not be stored in the freezer compartment or the low-temperature compartment. Some products, such as water ices, should not be consumed too cold.

Food storage location

Due to cold air circulation, the temperature of each area in the refrigerator is different, so different kinds of food should be placed in different areas.

• The fresh food compartment is suitable for foods that need not be frozen, such as cooked food, beer, eggs, condiments needing cold preservation, milk, fruit juice, etc. The crisper box is suitable for preserving vegetables and fruits.
• The freezer compartment is suitable for storing ice cream, frozen food, and foods for long-term preservation.

Use of the fresh food compartment

Set the temperature of the fresh food storage compartment between 2°C and 8°C for short-term storage or immediate consumption. When removing or installing a shelf, lift it up first, then pull it out. For two-section shelves, push the first section to the rear end, then pull the second section out. Keep the shelf rear flange upward to prevent foods from contacting the liner wall. Handle shelves carefully to avoid damage.

Crisper box: Pull out the crisper box for access to food. After using or cleaning the cover plate, ensure it is put back onto the crisper to maintain the internal temperature.

Cautions for food storage

• Clean and wipe foods dry before storing. Seal foods to prevent water evaporation and odor transfer.
• Do not overfill or overload the refrigerator. Keep enough space between foods for cold air circulation. Do not store excessive or overweight foods to avoid crushing shelves.
• Keep foods a distance away from the inner wall. Do not place water-rich foods too close to the fridge rear wall to prevent them from freezing onto the wall.
• Store foods by category, with daily-use items at the front to shorten door opening duration and prevent spoilage.
• Energy-saving tip: Allow hot food to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Thaw frozen food in the fresh food compartment to use its low temperature to cool fresh food.

Storage of fruits and vegetables

Some fresh vegetables and fruits are sensitive to cold and not suitable for storage in the chill compartment.

Use of the frozen food storage compartment

The freezer temperature is controlled below -18°C. Store food for long-term preservation, adhering to the storage duration indicated on the packaging. Freezer drawers are for storing food that needs to be frozen. Cut large pieces of fish and meat into small pieces and pack them into fresh-keeping bags before distributing them inside the drawers.

• Allow hot foods to cool to room temperature before placing them in the freezer compartment.
• Do not put glass containers with liquid or sealed canned liquids in the freezer compartment, as they may burst due to volume expansion after freezing.
• Divide food into appropriately small portions.
• Pack food before freezing. Ensure packing bags are dry to prevent bags from freezing together. Foods should be packed or covered by suitable materials that are firm, tasteless, impervious to air and water, non-toxic, and pollution-free to avoid cross-contamination and odor transfer.

Tips for shopping frozen foods

1. When buying frozen food, check the Storage Guidelines on the packaging for storage periods based on star ratings, usually indicated as "Best to use them before".
2. Check the temperature of the frozen food cabinet in the shop.
3. Ensure the frozen food package is in perfect condition.
4. Always buy frozen products last during your shopping trip.
5. Keep frozen food together while shopping and on the journey home to maintain its coldness.
6. Do not buy frozen food unless you can freeze it straight away. Special insulated bags can help keep frozen foods cold longer.
7. For some foods, thawing before cooking is unnecessary. Vegetables and pasta can be added directly to boiling water or steam cooked. Frozen sauces and soups can be heated gently until thawed.
8. Use quality food and handle it as little as possible. Freezing small quantities of food takes less time to freeze and thaw.
9. Estimate the amount of food to be frozen. When freezing large amounts of fresh food, adjust the temperature control knob to the low mode to lower the freezer temperature, allowing food to freeze faster and maintain freshness.

VI. Tips for special needs

Moving the refrigerator/freezer

• Location

  Do not place your refrigerator/freezer near a heat source (e.g., cooker, boiler, radiator) or in direct sunlight, outbuildings, or sun lounges.

• Leveling

  Ensure the refrigerator/freezer is level using the front leveling feet. An unlevel appliance may affect door gasket sealing performance or lead to operating failure. After positioning, wait for 4 hours before using it to allow the refrigerant to settle.

• Installation

  Do not cover or block the vents or grilles of your appliance.

When you are out for a long time

• If the appliance will not be used for several months, turn it off and unplug it.
• Take out all foods.
• Clean and dry the interior thoroughly. To prevent odor and mold growth, leave the door ajar, block it open, or remove the door if necessary.
• Keep the cleaned appliance in a dry, ventilated place, away from heat sources. Place it smoothly and do not put heavy objects on top of it.
• The unit should not be accessible for children's play.

VII. Maintenance and cleaning

Before cleaning, unplug the power plug. Do not plug in or plug out with wet hands due to the risk of electric shock and injury. Do not spill water directly on the refrigerator to avoid rust, electrical leakage, and accidents. Do not reach into the bottom of the refrigerator, as you might be scratched by sharp metal corners.

Internal cleaning and external cleaning

Food residuals can cause bad odors, so the refrigerator must be cleaned regularly, typically once a month for the fresh food compartment. Remove all shelves, crisper box, bottle racks, cover boards, and drawers. Clean them with a soft towel or sponge dipped in warm water or neutral detergent. Clear dust from the rear panel and side plates often. After using detergent, rinse with clean water and wipe dry.

Do not use bristle brushes, steel wire brushes, detergents, soap powder, alkaline detergents, benzene, gasoline, acid, hot water, or other corrosive/soluble items to clean the cabinet surface, door gasket, plastic decorative parts, etc., to avoid damage.

Carefully wipe dry the door gasket. Clean the groove using a wooden chopstick wrapped with cotton string. After cleaning, fix the four corners of the door gasket first, then embed it segment by segment into the door groove.

Interruption of power supply or failure of the refrigerating system

• Take care of frozen foods in the event of extended non-running of the appliance (e.g., power interruption or system failure).
• Try to open the refrigerator door as little as possible to keep food safely and freshly kept for hours, even in hot summer.
• If you receive a power outage notice in advance:
  1. Adjust the thermostat knob to the high mode an hour in advance so foods get fully frozen (do not store new food during this time!). Restore the temperature mode to the original setting when power supply becomes normal.
  2. You can also make ice with a watertight container and place it in the upper part of the freezer to extend the time for fresh food storage.

Note: Once the refrigerator is used, it is better to use it continuously. Under normal circumstances, do not stop its use, as it may affect its service life.

Defrosting

After a period of use, a thin layer of frost may form on the freezer compartment inner wall (or evaporator) surface, which can affect refrigeration if it exceeds 5mm in thickness. Gently scrape the frost off using an ice scraper, not metal or sharp hardware. Frosts should be cleared off every 3 months or so. If frosting affects normal use of drawers or access to food, remove it promptly.

Follow these steps to remove frosts:

1. Take out frozen foods, shut off the mains power supply, open the refrigerator door, and gently remove frosts from the inner wall with an ice scraper. To speed up thawing, place a bowl of hot water inside the refrigerator/freezer. When solid ice frosts become loose, use an ice scraper to remove them.
2. After defrosting, clean the refrigerator/freezer inside and switch on the power supply.

Changing the internal light

1. Before replacing the bulb, turn the thermostat control to "OFF" and disconnect the mains supply.
2. Hold and lift the light bulb cover.
3. Remove the old bulb by unscrewing it counter-clockwise.
4. Replace with a new bulb (10W) by screwing it clockwise, ensuring it is secure in the bulb holder.
5. Refit the light cover, reconnect the power supply, and switch on.

Safety-check after maintenance

• Is the power cord broken or damaged?
• Is the power plug firmly inserted into the socket?
• Is the power plug abnormally overheating?

Note: Electric shock and fire accidents may be caused by damaged or dust-stained power cords and plugs. If any abnormality occurs, unplug the power plug and contact the vendor.

VIII. Simple fault analysis and elimination

For the following minor faults, not every failure requires technical service personnel; you can try to solve the problem yourself.

Note: If the above descriptions are inapplicable to troubleshooting, do not disassemble and repair it yourself. Repairs carried out by inexperienced persons may cause injury or serious malfunctioning. Contact the local store where your purchase was made. This product should be serviced by an authorized engineer and only genuine spare parts should be used.

When the appliance is not in use for long periods, disconnect from the electricity supply, empty all foods, and clean the appliance, leaving the door ajar to prevent unpleasant smells.

IX. Certifications

Electrical information

This electrical appliance must be grounded.

This product is equipped with a plug suitable for all houses equipped with sockets meeting current specifications.

If the fitted plug is not suitable for your socket outlets, it should be cut off and carefully disposed of. To avoid a possible shock hazard, do not insert the discarded plug into a socket.

This product complies with the EEC directives.

X. Safe recovery instructions

Disposal

Old appliances still have some surplus value. An environmentally friendly approach ensures that valuable raw materials are recycled. The refrigerants used in your equipment and insulation materials require special handling procedures. Make sure there is no pipe damage on the back of the equipment before handling. Up-to-date information on options for disposing of old equipment and packaging can be obtained from the local municipal office.

Correct Disposal of this product

This marking indicates that this product should not be disposed of with other household wastes throughout the EU. To prevent possible harm to the environment or human health from uncontrolled waste disposal, recycle it responsibly to promote the sustainable reuse of material resources. To return your used device, please use the return and collection systems or contact the retailer where the product was purchased. They can take this product for environmental safe recycling.

DOOR REVERSAL INSTRUCTIONS

If the appliance is placed on its back or side for any length of time during this process, it must be allowed to remain upright for 6 hours before plugging it in to avoid damage to the internal components.

1. Remove the hinge cover and upper hinge from the top right side of the cabinet. Remove the screw hole covers from the top left side of the cabinet.
2. Remove the freezer door from the cabinet. Move the hinge plug from the top left to the top right side of the door.
3. Remove the center hinge from the right side cabinet. Remove the screw hole covers from the left side of the cabinet.
4. Remove the refrigerator door from the cabinet. Move the hinge plug from the top left to the top right side of the door.
5. Remove the door stop from the lower right side of the refrigerator door. Install the door stop on the lower left side of the refrigerator door.
6. Remove the lower hinge from the bottom right side of the cabinet. Remove both adjustable feet. Remove the lower hinge pin from the hinge, flip the hinge over, and reinstall the hinge pin on the other side. Install the lower hinge on the bottom left side of the cabinet. Install both adjustable feet.
7. Install the refrigerator door. Install the center hinge on the left side of the cabinet. Install the screw hole covers on the right side of the cabinet.
8. Install the freezer door. Install the upper hinge and the hinge cover on the top left side of the cabinet. Install the screw hole covers on the top right side of the cabinet.

Note: Ensure the rubber gaskets are making a good seal with the cabinet all the way around the doors before tightening the hinge screws.