Gorenje Upright Freezer: Instructions for Use

Introduction

Thank you for choosing a Gorenje appliance. This manual provides detailed instructions for the use and installation of your new upright freezer, designed to simplify your life. Please read these instructions carefully to familiarize yourself with your appliance as quickly as possible.

For additional information, tips, troubleshooting, and service details, please visit our website at www.gorenje.com. You can find your appliance model number on the rating plate or warranty sheet.

EU EPREL Database: The QR code on the energy label links to the EU EPREL database. Keep the energy label with your user manual. You can find product performance information at https://eprel.ec.europa.eu by entering the model name and product number from the rating plate. For more details on the energy label, visit www.theenergylabel.eu.

Intended Use: This appliance is intended solely for household use. The refrigerator section is for storing fresh food above 0°C. The freezer section is for freezing fresh food and long-term storage of frozen food (up to one year, depending on the type of food).

Symbols Used:

• INFORMATION! Information, advice, tip, or recommendation.
• WARNING! Warning - general danger.
• ELECTRIC SHOCK! Warning – danger of electric shock.
• DANGER OF FIRE! Warning - danger of fire.

Important Notes and Precautions

Before Using the Appliance for the First Time

• Read the instructions for use carefully before connecting the appliance to the power mains.
• Save this manual for future reference.
• Check for any damage or irregularities. Notify the retailer if the appliance is damaged.
• Before connecting, let the appliance rest in a vertical position for at least 2 hours to prevent operation faults due to transport.

Important Safety Instructions

• DANGER OF FIRE! Do not store flammable materials. Ensure the appliance is connected to a grounded power mains outlet in compliance with standards. Do not use multiple socket-outlets or portable power supplies at the rear of the appliance. Unplug the appliance before cleaning.
• ELECTRIC SHOCK! If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualified persons to avoid a hazard.
• Ensure the supply cord is not trapped or damaged when positioning the appliance.
• If LED lighting does not work, call a service technician. Do not attempt to repair it yourself due to the risk of high voltage.
• Do not use electrical appliances inside the food storage compartments unless they are manufacturer-recommended.
• Do not use mechanical devices or other means to accelerate defrosting, other than those recommended by the manufacturer.
• Ensure the appliance is stable and installed as instructed to avoid hazards.
• Freeze burn hazard: To avoid freeze burn, never put frozen food in your mouth and do not touch frozen food.

Safety of Children and Vulnerable Persons

• The appliance is not intended for use by persons with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless supervised.
• Children should be supervised to ensure they do not play with the appliance.
• Cleaning and user maintenance should not be done by children without supervision.
• Keep packaging material out of reach of children to prevent injury or suffocation.
• When disposing of a used appliance, disconnect the power cord, remove the door, and leave shelves inside to prevent children from locking themselves in.
• For European markets only: Children aged 8 and above, and persons with reduced capabilities, can use the appliance if supervised and instructed on safe use.
• Children aged 3 to 8 years are allowed to load and unload refrigerating appliances.

Warning Regarding the Refrigerant

The appliance contains a small amount of R600a, an environmentally friendly yet flammable gas. Ensure no parts of the cooling system are damaged. A gas leak is not hazardous to the environment but could cause eye injury or fire. In case of a gas leak, ventilate the room, disconnect the appliance from the power mains, and call a service technician.

Important Information on the Use of Appliance

• This appliance is intended for household and similar applications (staff kitchen areas, farm houses, hotels, B&Bs, catering).
• WARNING! Keep ventilation openings clear of obstructions.
• The appliance must not be used outdoors or exposed to rain.
• Do not store explosive substances like aerosol cans with flammable propellant.
• If the appliance is out of use for an extended period, switch it off, unplug it, empty, defrost, clean it, and leave the door ajar.
• In case of error or power failure, do not open the freezer compartment unless it has not operated for over 16 hours.

Technical Information on the Appliance

The rating plate, located inside the appliance, provides data on voltage, volume, refrigerant type and amount, and climate classes. If the language on the rating plate is not suitable, replace it with the supplied language version.

WARNING! Do not damage the refrigerant circuit to prevent pollution.

Environment Protection

Packaging materials are recyclable. Dispose of the appliance at an authorized collection center for waste electric and electronic equipment to prevent negative environmental and health effects. Contact your local municipal body, waste disposal service, or retailer for detailed information.

The symbol on the product or packaging indicates it should not be treated as normal household waste.

Advice for Saving Power with Refrigeration Appliances

• Install the appliance as specified in the manual.
• Do not open the door more often than necessary.
• Ensure air circulation underneath the appliance is unobstructed.
• If the gasket is damaged or does not seal properly, have it replaced.
• Store food in tightly sealed containers or appropriate packaging.
• Allow food to cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator.
• Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator compartment.
• Remove drawers to maximize the use of the freezer compartment's interior volume.
• Arrange shelves uniformly and place food to allow free air circulation.

Installation and Connection

Selecting the Room

• Install the appliance in a dry, well-ventilated room. Optimal operation is achieved within the specified ambient temperature range. The appliance class is indicated on the rating plate.

• INFORMATION! Do not place the appliance in rooms where the temperature can drop below 5°C, as this may cause abnormal operation or failure.
• Ensure the appliance's mains plug is accessible after installation.
• Do not place the appliance near heat-radiating devices (cooker, stove, radiator, water heater) or expose it to direct sunlight. Maintain a distance of at least 3 cm from electric/gas cookers or 30 cm from oil/solid fuel stoves. Use an insulating panel if necessary.
• Note: Ensure at least 1 m³ of space per 8 grams of refrigerant.
• For integrated appliances, ensure at least 200 cm² of free space at the base of the kitchen unit for air circulation. Do not obstruct the air outflow at the upper part of the appliance.
• Note: When installing side-by-side, each appliance should be in a separate cabinet.

Connecting the Appliance

• Connect the appliance to the power mains using the power cord. The wall outlet should have a ground contact (safety socket).
• Nominal voltage and frequency are indicated on the rating plate.
• Ensure the appliance is connected to the power mains and grounded according to effective standards and regulations. The appliance can withstand short-term voltage deviations of up to +/- 6%.

Description of the Appliance

The appliance features:

• 1. Control panel
• 2. LED lighting
• 3. Freezing and storage drawers
• 4. Shallow (slim) freezing and storage drawer
• 5. Deep freezing and storage drawer
• 6. Half-size freezing and storage drawer

The drawers are equipped with a system to prevent unintentional removal. To remove a drawer, pull it out completely, lift the front, and then pull it out.

Operating the Appliance

Switching the Appliance On/Off

• Switching on: Plug the power cord into the power mains outlet.
• Switching off: Press and hold the power button (A) for 3 seconds. A beep will sound, and the display (E) will show "--".

Adjusting the Temperature in the Appliance

• INFORMATION! The factory default temperature is -18°C. It may take several hours for the set temperature to be reached after switching on. Do not place food inside until the desired temperature is achieved.
• Use the temperature setting key (D) to adjust the temperature. Each press increases the temperature by 1°C. The setting is automatically saved after three seconds of inactivity.
• The temperature can be set between -16°C and -24°C.
• The recommended temperature setting is -18°C.

Intensive Freezing (Super Freeze) Function

• Use this function after initial setup, before cleaning, or before inserting a large amount of food.
• Power on: Press the intensive freezing key (C). The display will show "FF".
• Power off: Press the key (C) again. If not deactivated manually, it will turn off automatically after approximately 52 hours.
• INFORMATION! When intensive freezing is active, the appliance operates at maximum power and may be temporarily louder. The temperature may be lower in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

Eco Function

• Power on: Press the Eco function key (F). The display will show the Eco symbol.
• Power off: Press the key (F) again until the symbol disappears.

ConvertTotal Function

The entire freezer compartment can be converted into a FridgeZone compartment. Do not store temperature-sensitive food in this compartment as it may freeze. Empty the freezer compartment before switching to FridgeZone to prevent frozen food from defrosting.

• Activating: Press and hold key B for 5 seconds. A beep will sound, and an indicator will light up. You can set the temperature between 2°C and 8°C using key D.
• Deactivating: Press and hold key B for 5 seconds. The indicator will turn off.

Wi-Fi Function (Only in some models)

This appliance can be controlled remotely via a smartphone or tablet if connected to your home network. If not connected, it functions as a regular appliance.

What do you need to connect the appliance?

• Sufficient Wi-Fi signal strength at the installation location.
• A home network router connected to the internet.
• A smartphone/tablet connected to the internet.
• A smartphone/tablet with an operating system compatible with the ConnectLife app.

Connecting your appliance to the ConnectLife application

ConnectLife is a smart home platform. The ConnectLife application offers digital services for monitoring and controlling appliances, receiving notifications, and updating software.

To connect your smart device, you need a home Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz) and the ConnectLife app. Download the app by scanning the QR code or searching for "ConnectLife" in your app store.

1. Install the ConnectLife application and create an account.
2. In the app, go to "Add device", select the appliance type, and scan the QR code (found on the rating plate) or enter the AUID/SN code.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the appliance to your smartphone.
4. Once connected, the appliance can be operated remotely via the mobile app.

For questions, visit www.connectlife.io or contact hello@connectlife.io.

Opening the Wi-Fi menu

• Activating Wi-Fi: Press and hold key H for 3 seconds. A beep will sound, and the Wi-Fi indicator will light up.

Closing the Wi-Fi menu

• INFORMATION! If a special function was active before opening the Wi-Fi menu, it remains active after closing.
• INFORMATION! Alarms or faults are not displayed while the Wi-Fi menu is open; they will be displayed only after closing the menu.

High Temperature Alarm

An acoustic alarm will sound if the temperature inside the appliance becomes too high.

• There is a 24-hour delay in the high temperature alarm operation after the appliance is switched on. If the temperature does not reach a sufficiently low level within this period, the alarm will activate.
• Switching off the alarm: Press key G to acknowledge and switch off the acoustic alarm.
• The alarm indicator will automatically turn off when the appliance reaches the appropriate temperature.
• If the sound alarm is not turned off, it will activate three times per minute and remain active for approximately 10 minutes.

Open Door Alarm

If the refrigerator or freezer compartment door remains open for more than 1 minute, an acoustic alarm (repetitive beep) will activate. If not switched off manually, it will sound for 10 minutes.

• To switch off the alarm: Close the appliance door.
• INFORMATION! If the sound alarm is not turned off, it will activate five times in the first two minutes and then every second thereafter.

Freezing and Storing Frozen Food

Freezing Procedure

• INFORMATION! The maximum amount of fresh food to be frozen at once is specified on the appliance rating plate. Exceeding this amount will reduce freezing quality and may affect already frozen food.
• Remove all drawers to utilize the full freezer volume.
• Activate the super freeze function (press key C) 24 hours before freezing fresh food.
• Lay out packages as described below to ensure quick freezing.
• Ensure fresh food does not contact already frozen food.
• For smaller amounts (1-2 kg), activating super freeze is not required.

Important Warnings on Freezing

• Only freeze food suitable for freezing. Use fresh, quality food.
• Use appropriate packaging and seal it correctly.
• Ensure packaging is air and water tight to prevent food drying out and losing vitamins.
• Indicate food type, amount, and freezing date on the packaging.
• Food should freeze quickly; smaller packages are recommended.
• Refrigerate food before freezing.

Storing Industrially Frozen Food

• Observe manufacturer's instructions for storage and use. Check temperature and expiry dates on packaging.
• Choose food with undamaged packaging, stored at -18°C or lower.
• Do not purchase food covered in frost, as it indicates partial thawing and inferior quality.
• Protect food from thawing during transport. Increased temperature reduces storage time and quality.

Frozen Food Storage Time

Recommended storage time in the freezer:

Thawing Frozen Food

• Thawing is a crucial step for preserving frozen food. Thaw food correctly.
• Suitable thawing methods:
  • In the refrigerator.
  • In cold water.
  • In a microwave or conventional oven with a suitable thaw program.
• Some frozen products can be prepared without thawing; check packaging for manufacturer instructions.
• Pack food in small portions for faster thawing.
• Use partially or completely thawed food quickly, as bacteria reactivate and spoil the food. This is especially true for fruit, vegetables, and ready-made meals.
• Do not refreeze partially or completely thawed food.

Cleaning the Appliance

• WARNING! Before cleaning, unplug the appliance from the power mains.
• Use a soft cloth for cleaning. Avoid abrasive cleaners, acids, or solvents, as they may damage surfaces.
• Clean the exterior with water or a mild soap solution.
• Lacquer-coated and aluminum surfaces can be cleaned with lukewarm water and mild detergent. Cleaners with low alcohol content (e.g., window cleaners) are acceptable for these surfaces. Do not use alcohol-based cleaners on plastic materials.
• The appliance interior can be cleaned with lukewarm water and vinegar.
• Do not wash interior equipment parts in a dishwasher, as they may be damaged.
• After cleaning, switch the appliance back on and insert food.

Troubleshooting

Information about Appliance Noise

Cooling systems, including compressors and fans, generate some noise. Noise level depends on installation, usage, and age.

• Initial noises from compressor operation or flowing liquid are normal and will quieten over time.
• Unusual or loud noises are often due to improper installation:
  • Ensure the appliance is level and stable on a solid base.
  • Ensure the appliance does not contact walls or adjacent furniture.
  • Make sure interior equipment is firmly in place to prevent rattling.
• Increased noise can occur during higher workload periods, such as frequent door openings, adding large amounts of fresh food, or activating intensive freezing/cooling functions.

Declaration of Conformity

Gorenje declares that this device complies with essential requirements and provisions of Directive 2014/53/EU. The detailed Declaration of Conformity can be found at https://auid.connectlife.io.

Your Notes

Use this space for any personal notes regarding your appliance.