Gibson GFU17M4GW1 - User Manual

P/N 216751400 (0006)

Summary

Product Registration

Record Model and Serial Numbers

Record the freezer's model and serial numbers for future reference and warranty purposes.

Register Your Product

Fill out and return the self-addressed product registration card to Frigidaire.

Energy Saving Ideas

Important Safety Instructions

Proper Disposal of Refrigerator;Freezer

Instructions on safely disposing of old appliances to prevent child entrapment and suffocation.

For Your Safety

Warnings about storing flammable vapors and liquids near the appliance.

Child Safety

Precautions regarding packaging and preventing children from crawling into the freezer.

Electrical Information

Guidelines for safe electrical connection, grounding, and operation to prevent hazards.

Other Precautions

General safety tips, including proper unplugging and cord handling.

First Steps

Installation

Guidance on selecting a location and ensuring adequate air circulation for optimal operation.

Leveling

Instructions for leveling the freezer to ensure proper door seal and function.

Cleaning

How to clean the freezer interior and exterior using mild detergent and warm water.

Upright Freezer Door Removal

Step-by-step instructions for removing and reattaching the door on upright freezers.

Door Adjustment

How to adjust the freezer door for a proper seal, illustrating top and bottom adjustments.

Setting the Temperature Control

Cool Down Period

Guidelines for the initial cooling period and loading frozen food safely.

Temperature Control

Instructions on adjusting the temperature control knob for desired cooling levels.

Freezer Optional Features

Rapid Freeze

Feature to lower freezer temperature for faster food freezing.

Power On Light

Indicates freezer is connected to power; check service checklist if off.

Temp Alarm

Alerts if food temperature rises to unsafe levels; can be activated/deactivated.

Slide-Out Basket (Upright Models)

Basket for organizing items on freezer shelves in upright models.

Juice Can Rack (Upright Models)

Door rack designed to store and secure juice cans.

Security Lock with Pop-Out Key

Secures the freezer door; lock/unlock by pushing and turning the key.

Interior Light

Light turns on when the door opens; instructions for bulb replacement.

Adjustable Shelf (Upright Models)

Shelf can be moved between two positions in upright freezers.

Power Defrost

Feature to quickly defrost the freezer by pulling a plunger.

Defrost Drain

Method for draining water during defrosting and cleaning.

Slide-Aside Basket (Chest Models)

Basket for organizing items in chest freezers; can be slid or lifted out.

Divider;Drain Pan (Chest Models)

Doubles as storage and a shallow drain pan for chest freezers.

Fast Freezing Shelves (Upright Models)

Shelves with cooling coils for quick freezing and air circulation.

Tilt-Out Shelf

Shelf in the freezer door for additional storage access.

Drop Front Shelf (Upright Models)

Compartment at the bottom for small or bulky items in upright freezers.

Care and Cleaning

Between Defrostings

Tips for removing frost without frequent defrosting using a scraper.

Care and Cleaning (continued)

Defrosting

Instructions on when and how to defrost the freezer, including different model types.

Cleaning the Inside

How to wash the interior surfaces and removable parts with a baking soda solution.

Cleaning the Outside

How to wash the freezer cabinet exterior with mild detergent.

Vacation and Moving Tips

Advice for short/long vacations and tips for moving the freezer safely.

Power Failure; Freezer Failure

Power Failure Procedures

Steps to take during a power failure, including using dry ice.

Freezer Stopped Operating

Guidance if the freezer stops working, referring to the service checklist.

Avoid Service Checklist

Freezer Does Not Run

Troubleshooting steps for when the freezer is not operating.

Freezer Runs Too Much or Too Long

Reasons why the freezer might run excessively and potential solutions.

Temperatures Too Cold

Causes and solutions for the freezer maintaining excessively low temperatures.

Temperatures Too Warm

Causes and solutions for the freezer not reaching the desired cold temperature.

Warm External Freezer Surface

Explanation for warm external surfaces, which is normal during operation.

Louder Sound Levels

Explanation for normal operational sounds like compressor noise and expansion.

Popping or Cracking Sound

Explanation for popping and cracking sounds when the compressor cycles on.

Bubbling or Gurgling Sound

Explanation for normal refrigerant circulation sounds within the system.

Vibrating or Rattling Noise

Causes and solutions for vibrations or rattling noises from the freezer.

Moisture Inside Freezer Walls

Causes and solutions for moisture forming on the inner walls of the freezer.

Moisture Outside Freezer

Causes for moisture forming on the outside of the freezer, often due to humidity.

Odor in Freezer

Tips for cleaning and covering foods to eliminate odors.

Door Will Not Close

Causes and solutions for the freezer door not closing or sealing properly.

Light Bulb Not On

Troubleshooting steps if the interior light bulb is not functioning.

Gibson Freezer Warranty

Full Two-Year Warranty

Details of the two-year warranty covering parts and labor for defects.

Limited 3 rd-5 th Year Warranty

Covers the sealed refrigeration system for the third through fifth years.

Limited 6 th-10 th Year Warranty

Covers the compressor only for the sixth through tenth years.

Limited Warranty (Alaska)

Specific warranty provisions applicable to the state of Alaska.

Three-Year Limited Food Spoilage Plan

Reimbursement for food loss due to defects within the first three years.

Normal Responsibilities of Consumer

Consumer's responsibilities for proper use, installation, and maintenance.

Exclusions

Items not covered by the warranty, including consequential damages.

If You Need Service

Contact information and process for obtaining warranty service.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

This document is an owner's guide for a Gibson freezer, providing instructions for its operation, care, and maintenance, as well as important safety information and warranty details.

Function Description

The Gibson freezer is designed for the long-term storage of frozen foods. It maintains a low temperature to preserve food quality and prevent spoilage. The appliance is available in both upright and chest models, each offering different storage configurations and features to suit various household needs. The core function of the freezer is to cool and freeze food items efficiently, with some models offering frost-free operation for reduced maintenance.

Usage Features

The freezer incorporates several features to enhance its usability and efficiency:

• Temperature Control: The temperature control, located either inside the freezer on upright models or on the left outside wall on chest models, allows users to adjust the internal temperature. It is factory pre-set to number 4, which is typically suitable for satisfactory food storage. Users can adjust the knob to a higher number for colder temperatures, making incremental adjustments and allowing several hours for stabilization.
• Rapid Freeze: This feature, available on some models, allows the user to quickly lower the freezer's temperature to its lowest possible setting. It is activated by pushing a switch to "ON" and is particularly useful 24 hours before placing a large quantity of unfrozen food into the freezer. To optimize freezing, food should be spread evenly throughout the compartment. The Rapid Freeze function must be manually turned off by pushing the switch to "OFF" to return the compressor to its normal operating mode.
• Power On Light: A Power On Light indicates that the freezer is properly connected to electrical power. This light glows even when the temperature control is turned to "OFF," serving as a quick visual check for power supply.
• Temp Alarm: Some models are equipped with a Temp Alarm, which can be audible only or audible with a warning light. This feature alerts the user if the internal temperature rises to an unsafe level for long-term food storage. The buzzer will sound, and a red light (if equipped) will glow. The Temp Alarm operates on household electricity and will not function during a power failure. It is shipped in the "OFF" position and can be activated after the freezer has run for approximately 4 hours and the red light (if equipped) has gone off. Activation is done by pressing the "ON" switch with a pencil eraser or freezer key, and deactivation by pressing the "OFF" switch.
• Security Lock with Pop-Out Key: For models with this feature, a security lock ensures that stored food is secure. To lock or unlock the freezer, the key is pushed into the lock and turned, then pops out after use.
• Interior Light: An interior light automatically illuminates when the freezer door is opened, providing visibility of the contents. To replace the bulb, the temperature control must be turned to "OFF," and the electrical cord unplugged. The replacement bulb should be of the same wattage.
• Adjustable Shelf (Upright Models): Upright models may include an adjustable shelf that can be moved to one of two positions by lifting it up and out.
• Juice Can Rack (Upright Models): Some upright models feature a juice can rack on the freezer door with ridges designed to prevent cans from rolling off the shelf.
• Slide-Out Basket (Upright Models): Located at the bottom of upright freezers, this basket provides separate storage for items that are difficult to store on shelves. It can be removed by pulling it out and lifting it up.
• Slide-Aside Basket (Chest Models): Chest models may have a slide-aside basket for organizing odd-shaped items. It can be slid aside or lifted out to access other packages.
• Divider/Drain Pan (Chest Models): In chest models, the divider/drain pan serves as both a storage area and a shallow drain pan for defrosting. It can be removed by lifting it straight up from its supports.
• Fast Freezing Shelves (Upright Models): These shelves contain cooling coils to quickly freeze foods and ensure constant cold air circulation. Users are cautioned against using sharp metal objects to clean these shelves to avoid damage and reduced cooling ability. These shelves are not adjustable.
• Tilt-Out Shelf: Located inside the freezer door, this shelf provides additional storage space. To access items, the top or "basket" shelf tilts down.
• Drop Front Shelf (Upright Models): Found at the bottom of upright freezers, this shelf offers a separate compartment for small or bulky items. It can be removed by lifting the shelf front up and out.
• Power Defrost: This feature, available on some models, significantly reduces defrosting time. To use it, all food must be removed. The Power Defrost Plunger is pulled out, and the door is left open. Closing the door will push in the plunger and turn off power defrost. The plunger is pushed in to restart the freezer after defrosting.
• Defrost Drain: Both upright and chest models with a defrost drain provide a method for draining water during defrosting and cleaning. This involves removing a drain plug (inside for upright, outside for chest) and placing a shallow pan or the Divider/Drain Pan (for chest models) beneath the drain outlet. A garden hose adapter can be used to direct water to a floor drain.

Maintenance Features

Regular maintenance is crucial for the freezer's longevity and efficient operation:

• Cleaning: The freezer interior, exterior, and removable parts should be washed with mild detergent and warm water, then wiped dry. Harsh cleaners, razor blades, or sharp instruments should not be used on any surfaces to avoid scratching. Adhesive residue can be removed with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. The serial plate should not be removed.
• Defrosting: Defrosting is recommended when 1/4 to 1/2 inch of frost has accumulated. Frost tends to build up faster on the upper part of the freezer due to warm, moist air entering when the door is opened. All food should be removed, and the door left open during defrosting.
  • For models with a defrost drain: The drain plug is removed, and a shallow pan is placed beneath the drain tube (upright models) or drain outlet (chest models) to collect water. A garden hose adapter can be used for direct drainage.
  • For models without a defrost drain: Towels or newspapers should be placed on the freezer bottom to catch frost. Soft frost can be removed with a plastic scraper. For glazed and hard frost, deep pans of hot water can be placed inside the freezer with the door closed for about 15 minutes to soften the frost.
• Between Defrostings: To minimize the frequency of full defrosting, a plastic scraper can be used occasionally to remove frost with a pulling motion. Metal instruments should never be used.
• Vacation and Moving Tips:
  • Short Vacations (less than three weeks): The freezer can be left operating.
  • Long Vacations (several months): All food should be removed, the power cord unplugged, and the interior cleaned and dried thoroughly. To prevent odor and mold, the door should be left slightly open and blocked.
  • Moving: The power cord should be unplugged, food removed, and the freezer defrosted and cleaned. Loose items like the base panel and baskets should be taped securely. The freezer should be secured in an upright position in the moving vehicle and protected with a blanket or similar item.
• Power Failure/Freezer Failure: In the event of a power failure, frozen foods will remain frozen for at least 24 hours if the door remains closed. For longer outages, 7-8 pounds of dry ice can be placed in the freezer every 24 hours (with caution and gloves). If the freezer stops operating, the "Avoid Service Checklist" should be consulted, and if the problem persists, an authorized servicer should be called. For extended outages, food may need to be moved to a local locker plant.

Gibson GFU17M4GW1 Specifications

General

Brand	Gibson
Model	GFU17M4GW1
Category	Freezer
Freezer Type	Upright
Color	White
Energy Star Certified	No
Temperature Control	Mechanical
Defrost Type	Manual