Introduction
Thank you for choosing the ARDESTO refrigerator. This manual provides essential information for the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of your appliance. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.
Note: Illustrations in this manual are for reference only. The actual product may differ slightly.
Safety Information
General Safety Precautions
- ?WARNING: Do not cover ventilation openings on the appliance or in the built-in structure.
- ?WARNING: Do not use mechanical devices or other means to accelerate the defrosting process, other than those recommended by the manufacturer.
- ?WARNING: Do not damage the refrigerant circuit.
- ?WARNING: Do not use electrical appliances inside the food storage compartments unless they are of the type recommended by the manufacturer.
- ?WARNING: Unplug the appliance before performing user maintenance.
- The appliance must be unplugged before cleaning or maintenance.
- ⚠️WARNING: This appliance can be used by children aged 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.
- If the power cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualified persons to avoid a hazard.
- Do not store explosive substances like aerosol cans with flammable propellant in this appliance.
- ⚠️DANGER: Risk of child entrapment. Before discarding an old refrigerator, remove the doors and leave the shelves in place so children cannot easily climb inside.
- Dispose of the refrigerator according to local regulations for appliances containing flammable blowing gas and refrigerant.
- When positioning the appliance, ensure the supply cord is not trapped or damaged.
- Do not locate multiple portable socket-outlets or portable power supplies at the rear of the appliance.
- Do not use extension cords or ungrounded (two-prong) adapters.
Electrical Safety
- ?WARNING: Do not pull the power cord when unplugging. Grasp the plug firmly.
- ?WARNING: Do not damage or use a damaged power cord.
- ?WARNING: Use a dedicated power socket. Do not share it with other appliances.
- Ensure the power plug makes firm contact with the socket to prevent fire hazards.
- Ensure the power socket has a reliable grounding line.
- ⚠️WARNING: In case of gas leakage, turn off the gas valve, open doors and windows. Do not unplug other appliances as sparks may cause a fire.
- ?WARNING: Do not use electrical appliances on top of the appliance unless recommended by the manufacturer.
Warnings for Using
- ?WARNING: Do not arbitrarily disassemble or reconstruct the refrigerator. Maintenance must be conducted by a specialist.
- ⚠️WARNING: Be careful of the small gaps between doors and the refrigerator body to avoid pinching fingers. Close doors gently to prevent falling items.
- ⚠️WARNING: Do not handle foods or containers with wet hands in the freezing chamber, especially metal containers, to avoid frostbite.
- ?WARNING: Do not allow children to climb into or onto the refrigerator.
- ⚠️WARNING: Do not place heavy objects on top of the refrigerator.
- Pull out the plug during power failure or cleaning. Wait five minutes before reconnecting to prevent compressor damage.
Warnings for Placement
- ?WARNING: Do not place flammable, explosive, volatile, or highly corrosive items inside.
- ?WARNING: Do not place flammable items near the refrigerator.
- This refrigerator is intended for household use only. Do not use for storing blood, drugs, or biological products.
- ?WARNING: Do not store beer, beverages, or other fluids in bottles or enclosed containers in the freezing chamber, as they may crack due to freezing.
Warnings for Energy
- Refrigerating appliances may not operate consistently if placed in temperatures below their designed range for extended periods.
- Do not store effervescent drinks or very cold products in freezer compartments.
- Adhere to recommended storage times for food.
- Prevent undue temperature rise of frozen food during defrosting (e.g., by wrapping in newspaper).
- A rise in frozen food temperature during defrosting or cleaning can shorten its shelf life.
- Keep keys for locked doors out of children's reach.
Warnings for Disposal
- Refrigerant and foaming material are flammable. Keep away from fire sources when scrapping.
- When scrapping, disassemble doors and remove gaskets to prevent child entrapment.
- ♻️Correct Disposal: This product should not be disposed of with household waste. Recycle responsibly to promote sustainable reuse of material resources. Contact the retailer for return and collection systems.
Installation
Placement
- Remove all packing materials, including cushions, foam pads, and tapes. Tear off protective film from doors and body.
- Keep away from heat sources (stoves, boilers) and direct sunlight.
- Avoid moist or watery places to prevent rust or reduced insulation.
- Do not spray or wash the refrigerator with water directly.
- Place the refrigerator in a well-ventilated indoor area on a flat, sturdy surface.
- Ensure at least 10 cm clearance on the sides, 10 cm from the rear wall, and 30 cm above the appliance for proper ventilation and heat dissipation.
Levelling Feet
Adjust the levelling feet to ensure the refrigerator is stable and horizontal. Turn clockwise to raise, counterclockwise to lower.
Door Reversal
Follow these steps to change the door opening direction:
- Power off the refrigerator and remove all items from door trays.
- Dismantle the upper hinge cover, upper hinge, and hole cap. Remove the refrigerating door.
- Dismantle the middle hinge, screws, and screw hole caps. Remove the freezer door.
- Dismantle the bottom hinge, hole caps, and screws. Install the bottom hinge shaft and adjust the foot on the opposite side. Install the hinge on the other side.
- Dismantle screws, sleeve pipes, and stoppers from doors. Remove the support from the lower cover of the refrigerating door. Install them on the opposite side of the doors. Exchange sleeve pipe and hole cap positions on the top cover of the refrigerating door. Install the upper hinge sleeve on the freezer door.
- Place the freezer door on the bottom hinge, install the middle hinge, screws, and hole caps.
- Place the refrigerating door on the middle hinge, install the upper hinge, hinge cover, and hole cap.
Operation
Starting to Use
- Before initial start, let the refrigerator stand for half an hour before connecting to power.
- Before loading food, run the refrigerator for 2-3 hours (or 4 hours in summer) to reach the correct temperature.
- Ensure sufficient space for convenient door and drawer opening.
Energy Saving Tips
- Locate the appliance in the coolest part of the room, away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
- Let hot foods cool to room temperature before storing.
- Avoid overloading the appliance, as it forces the compressor to run longer.
- Wrap foods properly and dry containers before storing to reduce frost build-up.
- Do not line storage bins with aluminum foil, wax paper, or paper toweling, as they interfere with cold air circulation.
- Organize food to minimize door opening time. Remove all needed items at once and close the door quickly.
- Do not open the refrigerator doors too often, especially in humid or hot weather.
- Ensure adequate ventilation behind the appliance.
- Set the temperature to a medium setting in normal conditions.
- Defrost the refrigerator when ice thickness reaches 3-5 mm to save energy.
Refrigerating and Freezing Chambers
Refrigerating Chamber: Suitable for fruits, vegetables, beverages, and short-term food storage. Foods should be cooled to room temperature before storing and sealed properly. Shelves are adjustable.
Freezing Chamber: Keeps food fresh for a long time, used for frozen foods and ice making. Suitable for meat, fish, and other foods for long-term storage. Divide meat into portions for easier access.
Note: Overloading with food after initial connection may affect freezing performance.
Functions
Temperature Control
Use the "SET TEMPERATURE" button to adjust the temperature. The display shows temperature settings 1 through 6. The appliance will operate at the selected temperature after 15 seconds.
Air Damper
Adjust the air damper slider to control the temperature inside the freezer. Sliding up lowers the temperature; sliding down raises it.
Display Screen
The display shows the current temperature setting. During normal operation, it indicates the selected temperature. In case of failure, an LED indicator will display a fault code.
Maintenance and Care
Overall Cleaning
- Regularly clean dust from behind and below the refrigerator for better cooling and energy saving.
- Check and clean door gaskets for debris.
- Clean the interior regularly to prevent odors. Turn off power, remove food and shelves. Use a soft cloth or sponge with a baking soda solution (2 tbsp baking soda per quart of warm water), then rinse and wipe dry.
- For hard-to-reach areas, use a soft rag or brush, possibly with thin sticks.
- Do not use harsh cleaning agents like soap, scrub powder, spray cleaners, hard brushes, steel balls, or organic solvents, as they can damage surfaces or cause odors.
- Wipe the outer surface with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water and dry it.
- Do not rinse directly with water or liquids to avoid electrical issues.
Defrosting
The refrigerator has an automatic defrosting function. Frost can also be removed manually by unplugging the appliance or wiping with a dry towel.
Out of Operation
- Power Failure: Minimize door openings. Do not add fresh food.
- Long-time Nonuse: Unplug, clean, and leave doors slightly ajar to prevent odors.
- Moving: Secure all internal parts with tape. Tighten levelling feet. Seal doors with tape. Do not tilt more than 45 degrees during movement.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Causes & Solutions |
|---|---|
| Appliance not operating | Check power connection, voltage, and circuit breakers. |
| Odor | Wrap odorous foods tightly, check for rotten food, clean interior. |
| Compressor running for a long time | Normal in hot weather. Avoid overloading, store cool food, minimize door openings. |
| Light fails to light | Check power connection, replace bulb with specialist. |
| Doors not closing properly | Door stuck by packages, refrigerator tilted. |
| Loud noise | Check floor level, stable placement, accessory placement. |
| Door seal not tight | Remove foreign matter, heat/cool seal for restoration. |
| Water pan overflows | Too much food, high water content, doors not closing properly. |
| Hot housing | Normal heat dissipation. Ensure good ventilation. |
| Surface condensation | Normal in high humidity. Wipe with a towel. |
| Abnormal noise | Buzzing from compressor is normal. Creaking from refrigerant flow is normal. |
Warranty Conditions
The manufacturer guarantees normal operation for 12 months from the date of sale, provided the consumer follows operating and care rules. Service life is 5 years.
Keep the warranty card correctly filled with model, serial number, date of sale, and seller's seal. Changes or erasures invalidate the warranty.
Installation and setup details are in the documentation. The installer is responsible for correct installation.
In case of failure during the warranty period due to manufacturer fault, free repair is provided upon presentation of the correctly filled warranty card and the appliance in original packaging.
Warranty is void if operating rules are violated, or due to misuse, mechanical damage, natural disasters, improper power supply, or unauthorized repairs.
Warranty does not cover consumables and accessories.
