This document is a user manual for a Zanussi fridge freezer, model ZRT27102WV, providing comprehensive instructions for its safe installation, operation, and maintenance.
Function Description
The Zanussi ZRT27102WV is a fridge freezer designed for household and similar applications, including farmhouses, staff kitchen areas in shops and offices, and residential environments like hotels and bed and breakfasts. Its primary function is to store fresh and frozen food, maintaining optimal temperatures to preserve food quality and extend shelf life. The appliance features separate compartments for refrigeration and freezing, allowing for versatile food storage. The refrigerator compartment is equipped with movable shelves and door shelves, offering flexible storage configurations for various food package sizes. The freezer compartment is suitable for freezing fresh food and storing pre-frozen and deep-frozen items for extended periods. The appliance utilizes isobutane (R600a) as a refrigerant, a natural gas known for its high environmental compatibility.
Usage Features
The fridge freezer is designed for ease of use with several practical features.
Temperature Regulation: The appliance's temperature is automatically regulated. Users can adjust the temperature regulator to achieve desired coldness levels, with lower settings for minimum coldness and higher settings for maximum coldness. A medium setting is generally recommended for optimal performance. The internal temperature is influenced by factors such as room temperature, door opening frequency, food quantity, and appliance location. If the ambient temperature is high or the appliance is fully loaded and set to the lowest temperature, frost may form on the rear wall, necessitating a warmer setting to enable automatic defrosting and reduce energy consumption.
Freezing Fresh Food: The freezer compartment is suitable for freezing fresh food. While the medium setting is generally sufficient, turning the temperature regulator to higher settings can accelerate the freezing process. However, users are cautioned that this might cause the refrigerator compartment temperature to drop below 0°C, requiring a reset to a warmer setting.
Storage of Frozen Food: For initial startup or after a period of disuse, it is recommended to let the appliance run for at least two hours on higher settings before loading food. In case of accidental defrosting due to power failure, if the power has been off longer than the "rising time" indicated in the technical characteristics, defrosted food should be consumed quickly or cooked and then re-frozen after cooling.
Thawing: Deep-frozen or frozen food can be thawed in the refrigerator compartment or at room temperature, depending on the available time. Small pieces of food can even be cooked directly from frozen, though this will extend cooking time.
Positioning Door Shelves: The door shelves are adjustable, allowing users to customize their height to accommodate food packages of different sizes. Shelves can be gradually pulled out and repositioned as needed.
Movable Shelves: The refrigerator walls feature a series of runners, enabling users to position the internal shelves as desired for flexible storage. However, the glass shelf above the vegetable drawer should not be moved to ensure proper air circulation.
Normal Operating Sounds: Users should be aware of normal operating sounds such as gurgling and bubbling from refrigerant coils, whirring and pulsating from the compressor, sudden cracking noises due to thermic dilatation, and faint clicks from the temperature regulator as the compressor switches on or off.
Maintenance Features
Regular maintenance is crucial for the appliance's longevity and efficient operation.
General Cleaning: Before first use, the interior and all internal accessories should be washed with lukewarm water and a neutral soap to remove any new product smell, then thoroughly dried. For periodic cleaning, the interior and accessories should be cleaned with lukewarm water and neutral soap. Door seals should be regularly checked and wiped clean to ensure they are free from debris. The condenser and compressor at the back of the appliance should be cleaned with a brush if accessible, as this improves performance and saves electricity. Harsh detergents, abrasive powders, chlorine, or oil-based cleaners should not be used as they can damage the finish.
Defrosting the Refrigerator: The refrigerator compartment features automatic defrosting. Frost is eliminated from the evaporator when the compressor stops. The defrost water drains into a special container at the back of the appliance, where it evaporates. It is important to periodically clean the defrost water drain hole in the middle of the refrigerator compartment channel to prevent water overflow and dripping onto food.
Defrosting the Freezer: The freezer should be defrosted when the frost layer reaches a thickness of about 3-5 mm. To prepare for defrosting, set a lower temperature approximately 12 hours prior to build up sufficient chill reserve. During defrosting, the appliance should be switched off or unplugged. Stored food should be removed, wrapped in several layers of newspaper, and placed in a cool area. To speed up the process, a pot of warm water can be placed in the freezer compartment. Any pieces of ice that break away should be removed. After defrosting, the interior should be thoroughly dried before switching the appliance back on and reloading food after three hours. Users are warned against using sharp metal tools to scrape off frost or mechanical devices to speed up thawing, as this can damage the evaporator and shorten the safe storage life of frozen food.
Replacing the Lamp: The appliance is equipped with a long-life LED interior light. If replacement is needed, a screwdriver is used to remove the screw from the lamp cover, which is then detached. The lamp should be replaced with one of identical characteristics, specifically designed for household appliances. Only LED bulbs (E14 base) should be used, with the maximum power indicated on the lamp unit. Original spare parts are strongly recommended.
Closing the Door: To ensure proper sealing, door gaskets should be cleaned regularly. If necessary, the door can be adjusted, or defective door gaskets can be replaced by contacting an Authorised Service Centre.
Periods of Non-Operation: If the appliance will not be used for long periods, it should be disconnected from the electricity supply, all food removed, defrosted (if necessary), cleaned, and the door(s) left open to prevent unpleasant smells. If the appliance is to remain switched on, it should be periodically checked to prevent food spoilage in case of a power failure.