Ariston BCS 311 T - User Manual

Fridge/freezer combined
Installation and use

Summary

Safety - A Good Habit to Get Into

ATTENTION

Provides crucial safety warnings and considerations before operating the appliance.

Installation

Installation Requirements and Electrical Connection

Covers ventilation, heat avoidance, electrical connection, power load, and pre-connection waiting period.

A Closer Look

Appliance Components Overview

Identifies and describes the various compartments, shelves, and features of the refrigerator.

How to Start the Appliance

Initial Setup and Operation

Instructions for initial positioning, cleaning, and setting the thermostat after delivery.

How to Use the Refrigerator Compartment

Temperature Control and Storage

Guidance on using the thermostat, understanding the cooling area, and storing food items.

Freezing Foods Properly

Freezing Guidelines and Best Practices

Advice on preparing, freezing, and storing food, including tips for optimal results and freezer management.

Guide to Using the Freezer

Meat and Fish Freezing Guide

Provides recommended wrapping, tenderising, storage, and thawing times for various meat and fish types.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and Vegetables Freezing Guide

Details preparation, blanching, wrapping, storage, and thawing for fruits and vegetables.

Tips on Saving Energy

Energy Saving Recommendations

Advice on proper installation, temperature setting, door usage, seals, and avoiding hot foods.

Keeping Your Appliance in Shape

Defrosting the Refrigerator and Freezer

Instructions on how to safely defrost both the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

Cleaning and Special Maintenance

Cleaning Procedures and Light Bulb Replacement

Guidance on cleaning the appliance interior/exterior and replacing the compartment light bulb.

Is There a Problem?

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Helps diagnose and resolve common refrigerator and freezer malfunctions.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Food Storage Guidelines
4. Maintenance Features
5. Tips on Saving Energy
6. Troubleshooting ("Is There a Problem?")

This document provides comprehensive instructions for the installation, use, and maintenance of an Ariston combined fridge/freezer, model BCS 311 T. It emphasizes safety, efficiency, and proper food storage practices to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the appliance.

Function Description

The Ariston BCS 311 T is a combined fridge/freezer designed for refrigerating and freezing foodstuffs. It features two main compartments: a refrigerator compartment for fresh food storage and a freezer compartment for freezing and storing frozen foods. The appliance uses a thermostat knob to regulate the internal temperature, offering settings from "0" (off) to "5" (colder) to suit different needs. The refrigerator compartment operates with natural air circulation, where colder air falls, making the area above the vegetable crisper the coldest. The freezer compartment is designed to reach temperatures below -18°C, ideal for proper food freezing.

Usage Features

The appliance is equipped with several convenient features to enhance usability and food organization:

• Refrigerator Compartment:

  • Removable door shelves with lid: Includes an egg tray and a lidded butter dish for organized storage of smaller items.
  • Removable miscellaneous shelf: Provides additional flexible storage space on the door.
  • Compartment for a 2-litre bottle: Specifically designed to hold larger bottles securely.
  • Removable door shelf for bottles: Offers dedicated space for various bottled products, milk, drinks, and yogurt.
  • Fruit and Vegetable Crispers: Located at the bottom, these drawers are ideal for storing fruits and legumes, helping to maintain their freshness.
  • Meat/cheese storage box: A dedicated area for storing meat and cheese, typically above the vegetable crisper where the air is colder.
  • Removable/Adjustable Shelves: The main shelves inside the refrigerator can be adjusted for height, allowing users to customize the space to accommodate larger containers and foodstuffs.
  • Light for refrigerator compartment: Illuminates the interior for easy visibility of contents.
  • Cooling Area: A "cooling area" is integrated into the back panel of the refrigerator compartment. It may show frost or water droplets during operation, which is normal. To prevent excessive frost formation and increased energy consumption, especially when the refrigerator is heavily filled or the ambient temperature is high, it is recommended to adjust the thermostat to a lower setting.

• Freezer Compartment:

  • Compartment for storing frozen foods: Multiple drawers are provided for organized storage of pre-frozen items.
  • Compartment for freezing fresh foods and storing frozen foods: A dedicated top compartment is used for freezing fresh foods quickly and efficiently.
  • Drain system for drawing off defrost water from freezer compartment: Facilitates the removal of water during manual defrosting.
  • Optimizing Freezer Space: The central drawer can be removed to create a larger storage area, allowing food to be placed directly onto the evaporator plate.

Food Storage Guidelines:

The manual provides specific recommendations for storing various types of food in both compartments:

• Refrigerator:

  • Wrapped meat and cleaned fish: 2-3 days, on the shelf above the vegetable crisper.
  • Fresh cheese: 3-4 days, on the shelf above the vegetable crisper.
  • Eggs: 1 month, in the special egg rack on the door.
  • Butter, margarine: On any shelf.
  • Cooked or precooked food: 3-4 days, in airtight containers on any shelf.
  • Sausages, salami, sandwich meats, fresh pasta, custards, puddings, chocolates, cream pastries, bread, dry pastries, red tomatoes: 3-4 days, on any shelf.
  • Bottled products, milk, drinks, yogurt: On special door shelves.
  • Fruits and legumes: In the vegetable crisper.
  • Foods to avoid storing in the refrigerator: Garlic, onions, leeks (transmit odor), bananas (turn black), citrus fruits, potatoes, and root vegetables (store in dark, dry places).
  • General Refrigerator Tips: Avoid placing liquids in uncovered containers to prevent increased moisture and frost. Do not place food or containers in direct contact with the back wall's cooling area to prevent damage to food, increased energy consumption, and condensate formation.

• Freezer:

  • Freezing Fresh Foods: Place fresh foods in the top compartment "I" for freezing. Ensure they do not touch previously frozen items. Divide food into small portions for quick and uniform freezing, and label packages with content and date.
  • Thawing: Thawed food, even partially, must not be refrozen. It should be cooked within 24 hours or refrozen after cooking.
  • Power Failure: In case of a power failure or malfunction, avoid opening the freezer door. Frozen foods will remain in their state for approximately 9-14 hours.
  • Important Note: Do not place full bottles in the freezer as liquids expand when frozen and can cause bottles to burst. Fill ice cube trays about 3/4 full.
  • Ambient Temperature: If the ambient temperature remains below 14°C for an extended period, the freezer may not reach the optimal temperature for extended food storage, reducing food's shelf life.

Maintenance Features

Regular maintenance is crucial for the appliance's efficiency and hygiene.

• Cleaning:

  • Before Cleaning: Always disconnect the appliance from the electricity supply by pulling out the plug or turning off the main switch.
  • Interior and Exterior: Use a sponge with warm water and baking soda (a good disinfectant) or a neutral soap.
  • Prohibited Cleaners: Never use abrasives, bleach, ammonia, solvents, or similar products.
  • Removable Parts: All removable parts should be soaked in hot water and dishwashing soap, then rinsed and dried thoroughly before being placed back in the refrigerator.
  • Long-Term Storage: If the appliance will not be used for an extended period (e.g., during summer), clean it thoroughly and leave the doors open to prevent mold and unpleasant odors.

• Defrosting:

  • Refrigerator Defrosting: The refrigerator compartment defrosts automatically. Defrost water is channeled to a drain at the back, where it evaporates due to compressor heat. Periodically check and clean the drain hole (located behind the vegetable crispers) to ensure proper water drainage.
  • Freezer Defrosting: Manual defrosting is required when the frost layer exceeds 15 mm.
    • Turn the thermostat knob to "0".
    • Wrap all frozen food in newspaper and place it in the refrigerator or a cool place.
    • Leave the freezer door open until the frost thaws completely. This process can be sped up by placing containers of warm water inside the compartment.
    • The unit has a system to collect defrost water in a container placed beneath the unit.
    • Use the provided scraper to remove frost; do not use knives or metal objects.

• Replacing the Light Bulb:

  • Unplug the unit from the power supply.
  • Replace the used lamp with a new one of no more than 15W.
  • To access the lamp "A", remove the center screw "B" at the back of the lamp cover.

Tips on Saving Energy:

• Proper Installation: Install the appliance away from heat sources and direct sunlight, in a well-ventilated room, adhering to minimum distance requirements.
• Right Temperature Setting: Avoid setting the thermostat too cold, as this increases energy consumption.
• Avoid Overfilling: Ensure cold air can circulate freely within the refrigerator. Overfilling forces the compressor to work continuously.
• Close Doors Promptly: Minimize the time the doors are open to prevent cold air loss, which makes the motor work longer to restore temperature.
• Maintain Seals: Keep door seals clean and ensure they adhere well to prevent cold air from escaping.
• Cool Hot Foods: Allow hot cookware and food to cool to ambient temperature before placing them in the refrigerator.
• Defrost Freezer Regularly: Defrost the freezer immediately if the frost layer becomes too thick, as excessive frost hinders efficiency.

Troubleshooting ("Is There a Problem?"):

The manual provides a troubleshooting guide for common issues:

• Refrigerator not functioning: Check if the main switch is on, the plug is properly inserted, and the outlet is adequate.
• Refrigerator and freezer not cooling properly: Check if doors close well, seals are faulty, doors are left open too long, thermostat setting is incorrect, or the appliance is overfilled.
• Food in refrigerator too cold: Check the thermostat setting and ensure food is not in direct contact with the back wall.
• Motor runs continuously: Check if doors are closed properly, ambient temperature is too high, or thermostat setting is incorrect.
• Appliance makes too much noise: Note that refrigerant gas produces a slight noise. Check if the refrigerator is level and not installed between vibrating cabinets or objects.
• Water on bottom of refrigerator: Check if the drain hole for frost water is clogged.

If problems persist after these checks, contact an authorized Service Centre, providing the model name (Mod.) and serial number (S/N) from the rating plate. Always use original spare parts and refuse unauthorized technicians.

Ariston BCS 311 T Specifications