Black & Decker BCRK17 Series

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Summary

Safety Information

Important Safety Instructions

Essential guidelines to reduce risks of fire, electric shock, and injury.

Refrigerant Gas Warnings

Hazards related to flammable refrigerant and safety precautions.

Grounding Instructions

Electrical requirements and proper grounding procedures for safe operation.

Set Up & Use

Installation Guide

Steps for unpacking, cleaning, and positioning the refrigerator.

Protection from Heat and Moisture

Starting Your New Refrigerator

Cleaning and Care

Cleaning and Maintaining

Recommended schedule and method for cleaning the refrigerator.

Troubleshooting & Warranty

Before You Call For Service

Initial checks to perform if the refrigerator fails to operate.

Troubleshooting

A chart detailing common problems, their causes, and solutions.

This document is an instruction manual for the BLACK+DECKER 1.7 CU. FT. COMPACT REFRIGERATOR, model number BCRK17*. It provides comprehensive information on safety, setup, usage, cleaning, care, troubleshooting, and warranty.

Function Description:

The BLACK+DECKER 1.7 CU. FT. COMPACT REFRIGERATOR is designed for freestanding installation and is suitable for home or office use. Its primary function is to cool and store food and beverages, with a small freezer compartment for short-term storage of frozen items and ice cubes. The refrigerator is not designed for recessed or built-in installation in an enclosed cabinet. It operates on a 115 volt 60 Hz, AC only, 15 amp electrical supply and requires proper grounding for safe operation.

Important Technical Specifications:

Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet.
Electrical Requirements: 115 volts, 60 Hz, AC only, 15 amps. A separate circuit is recommended.
Grounding: Equipped with a 3-wire cord and a 3-prong grounding plug, requiring a properly installed and grounded wall receptacle.
Refrigerant: Flammable refrigerant is used. Defrosting should not involve mechanical devices or puncturing refrigerant tubing. Servicing should only be performed by trained service personnel.
Minimum Clearance: Recommended minimum clearance behind the refrigerator for proper air circulation is 2 inches (50mm).
Operating Temperature: Not designed to operate in temperatures below 55° Fahrenheit.

Usage Features:

Installation:
- Unpack all packaging materials, including carton, base, foams, and adhesive tape.
- Remove internal packaging and accessories like shelves and ice tray.
- Clean any adhesive residue and remove printed materials.
- Install in a convenient location away from extreme heat and cold, ensuring sufficient clearance for door opening.
- Place on a flat, hard, solid, and even floor.
- Level the refrigerator using the two leveling legs on the bottom front; turning counter-clockwise raises, clockwise lowers. Extending the legs aids door closure.
- Allow 24 hours after horizontal or tilted transport before plugging in.
Door Alignment:
- Remove the top hinge cover.
- Loosen top hinge screws with a Phillips head screwdriver.
- Adjust the door or add a spacer, then tighten screws.
Starting the Refrigerator:
- After cleaning, insert the power supply cord into the socket.
- Turn the thermostat dial to an initial setting of "7" for 15-20 minutes.
- If the door gasket is pressed in from shipping, gently pull it out of the seal gap to reset it and prevent cool air from escaping.
Temperature Control:
- Settings range from "O" to "7". "3" is recommended for home/office use.
- Setting to "O" shuts off the cooling cycle but not electrical power.
- Wait 3-5 minutes before restarting after unplugging to avoid improper operation.
- Adjust thermostat control one increment at a time, allowing several hours for stabilization between adjustments.
- Avoid placing large amounts of food on the air outlet to ensure proper airflow and cooling efficiency.
Food Storage:
- Wrap or store fresh food in airtight, moisture-proof material to ensure shelf life and prevent odor/taste transfer.
- Wipe containers dry before storing.
- Store eggs upright in their original carton.
- Wash and dry fruit, then store in sealed plastic bags.
- Store vegetables with skins in plastic bags or containers.
- Wash, drain, and store leafy vegetables in plastic bags or containers.
- Allow hot food to cool to room temperature before refrigerating to save energy.
- Use fresh seafood the same day as purchased.
- Keep meats in original packaging or rewrap as necessary in the fresh food section.
- Freezer Compartment: Foods must be consumed within 5 days. Not suitable for long-term storage. To release ice cube trays, pour warm water around them (not boiling water). Do not use metal objects to remove frost. Do not wash ice cube trays in a dishwasher.
Refrigerator Interior Shelf: Easily removed by tilting up and sliding forward, and replaced by sliding back.
Reversing the Door Hinge: Detailed 12-step instructions are provided for changing the door swing direction, involving removing and reattaching hinges and plugs.

Maintenance Features:

Cleaning and Maintaining:
- Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning.
- Clean once a month.
- Prepare a cleaning solution of 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda mixed with warm water.
- Wipe down with a sponge or soft cloth dampened with the solution.
- Rinse with clean warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
- Do not use harsh chemicals, abrasives, ammonia, chlorine bleach, concentrated detergents, solvents, or metal scouring pads, as these can damage or discolor the refrigerator.
Door Gasket:
- Clean every three months.
- Apply petroleum jelly lightly on the hinge sides of gaskets to keep them pliable and ensure a proper seal.
Power Interruption:
- Unplug the power cord during an outage.
- Replug once power is restored.
- Inspect and discard spoiled or thawed foods after prolonged outages.
- Clean the refrigerator thoroughly before using again.
Defrosting (Freezer Compartment):
- Defrost when frost accumulates to about 1/8 inch thick.
- Set temperature control to "O".
- Remove all contents from the freezer compartment.
- Leave the door open until ice and frost dissolve.
- Ensure the drip tray is in place and unplug the unit.
- Empty water from the drip tray and wipe the compartment dry.
- Do not heat the evaporator directly with hot water or a hair dryer, as this can damage the freezer compartment.
- Never use sharp or metallic instruments to remove frost to avoid damaging cooling coils and voiding the warranty; a plastic scraper is recommended.
Vacation and Moving Care:
- For vacations, empty food, set temperature to "O", unplug, clean, and leave the door open to prevent odors.
- When moving, transport the unit vertically to avoid damage to the refrigerator and/or compressor.
Energy Saving Tips:
- Locate in the coolest area of the room, away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
- Allow hot foods to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
- Avoid overloading the refrigerator.
- Wrap foods properly and wipe containers dry.
- Do not line shelves with aluminum foil, wax paper, or paper towels, as this interferes with air circulation.
- Organize food to reduce door openings and extended searches.