VA 1 - Freezer INDESIT - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Upright Freezer
Brand	Indesit
Model	VA 1
Temperature Control	Manual knob (adjustable with coin)
Fast Freeze Function	Yes (yellow indicator light)
Power Indicator	Green light (on when mains connected)
Warning Light	Red light (indicates temperature rise or door open too long)
Fast Freeze Indicator	Yellow light (illuminates when fast freeze is active)
Defrost Type	Manual (defrost 1-2 times per year)
Door Reversal	Yes (instructions provided in manual)
Refrigerant	R600a (isobutane)
Insulation Gas	Cyclopentane
Adjustable Feet	Yes (front levelling feet)
Ventilation Requirements	10 cm top clearance, 5 cm side clearance
Installation Standing Time	3 hours before plugging in after transport
Cleaning	Use water and bicarbonate solution; avoid abrasives
Spare Parts	Use only original Indesit spare parts
Recommended Service	Only authorized Service Centers
Safety Standards	Complies with EN60, IMQ, and EC directive 87/308
Maximum Freezing Capacity	As indicated on data plate (specific value not provided in manual)

Frequently Asked Questions - VA 1 INDESIT

How do I adjust the temperature on my Indesit VA 1 freezer?

Use a coin to turn the temperature adjustment knob (C) inside the freezer. Turn clockwise for colder settings; counterclockwise for warmer. For fast freezing, turn to the Fast Freeze setting (yellow light on).

What does the red warning light mean?

The red light indicates the freezer is not functioning properly and the temperature is rising too high. It may briefly come on if the door is left open too long or when fast freeze is activated. If it stays on, contact Service.

How do I defrost the freezer?

Unplug the freezer and leave the door open until frost melts. Use the plastic scraper provided; do not use sharp metal objects. Place a container under the drain (see Fig. 1) to collect water. Optionally, place warm water pots inside to speed up defrosting. Clean inside before restarting.

How can I reverse the door?

Unplug the freezer. Lay it on its back. Remove the bottom hinge pin, slide the door off, then relocate the top hinge pin to the left side. Swap the bushes and blanking plugs on the door. Reattach the door with the bottom hinge pin. Stand upright and check seal. Wait 15 minutes before switching on.

What should I do if the motor runs constantly?

Check if the yellow fast freeze light is on (constant operation setting). Also verify the thermostat setting is not too cold. The motor may run more if the door is opened frequently or if there is heavy frost buildup.

How do I clean the interior?

Unplug the freezer. After defrosting, clean with a water and bicarbonate solution. Rinse with clean water and dry carefully. Do not use abrasive cleaners, detergents, or soap.

What is the fast freeze function and how do I use it?

Fast freeze quickly lowers the temperature to freeze fresh food. Turn the knob to the Fast Freeze setting (yellow light on) 24 hours before adding large amounts of fresh food. After 24 hours, return the knob to a normal setting to save energy.

How long can food be stored in the freezer?

Follow the storage times on frozen food packages. Generally, meat and fish can be stored 2-12 months, fruits/vegetables 6-12 months. Thawed food should be cooked within 24 hours and not refrozen.

What should I do if there is a power failure?

Do not open the freezer door. The food will stay frozen for at least 20 hours if the door remains closed. After power returns, check the food quality.

Why does the green indicator light not turn on?

Check that the freezer is plugged in correctly, the mains switch is on, and the thermostat is not set to 'Off'. Verify the socket works with another appliance. If the problem persists, contact Service.

USER MANUAL VA 1 INDESIT

Installation and use

GB Upright Freezer 9 Instructions for installation and use

To maintain the EFFICIENCY and SAFETY of this appliance, we recommend:

- call only the Service Centers authorized by the manufacturer

- always use original Spare Parts

Fig. 1

PRODUCT SAFETY

ATTENTION

Read your manual carefully since it contains instructions which will ensure safe installation, use and maintenance of your appliance. Your Refrigerator is built to International safety standards (EN60) and has been awarded the European approval mark (IMQ) for compliance with UK electrical safety requirements. It also meets the EC standards on the prevention and elimination of radio interference (EC directive 87/308 - 02.06.89).

1. This appliance is designed to be used indoors and under no circumstances should it be installed outside even if protected by a roof. Leaving the appliance exposed to the rain and weather is exceedingly dangerous.
2. The appliance should be used only by adults and exclusively for storing foodstuffs in compliance with the instructions provided in this manual. Under no circumstances should children be allowed to operate, or tamper with, this product.
3. Do not attempt to operate or handle this appliance when barefoot, or with wet hands or feet.
4. It is highly recommended that you do not operate this appliance by connecting it to the power supply with extensions or multiple socket plugs. If the refrigerator has been installed between two cabinets, make sure that the supply cord is not dangerously crimped or trapped beneath a heavy object.
5. Never pull the cable or the appliance to remove the plug from the socket; this is exceedingly dangerous.
6. Do not touch the internal cooling elements, especially if your hands are wet, since you could burn or hurt yourself. Do

Do not place ice cubes straight from the freezer into your mouth as this may result in burns.

1. Before doing any cleaning, disconnect the appliance from the electricity (by pulling out the plug or turning off the general switch in your home).
2. Before disposing of your old appliance, remember to break or remove the lock as a safety measure to protect children who might lock themselves inside the appliance when playing. In addition, if the appliance is a new one with a lock, keep the key out of the reach of small children.
3. If your appliance is not operating properly, read the chapter entitled, "Trouble Shooting", which might help you resolve the problem, before calling an after-sales service centre. Do not attempt to repair the appliance by tampering with the internal components.
4. If the power supply cord must be replaced, please contact one of our Customer Service Centers. In some cases, the connections are made using special terminals and in others a special tool must be used to access the connections.
5. Do not use electric appliances inside the compartment for food storage, if these are not those recommended by the manufacturer.
6. At the end of the functional life of your appliance – containing cyclopentane gas in the insulation foam and perhaps gas R600a (isobutane) in the refrigeration circuit – the latter should be made safe before being sent to the dump. For this operation, please contact your dealer or the Local Organisation in charge of waste disposal.

INSTALLATION

To ensure that the appliance operates properly and to reduce energy consumption, it is important that the appliance is installed correctly.

Ventilation

The compressor and condenser generate heat and, therefore, need to be ventilated properly. Rooms with less than perfect ventilation are not very suited for installation of the appliance. Therefore, it should be installed in a room with an opening (window or French window) that provides the appropriate amount of air re-circulation. It is also important that the room not be too humid.

During installation, make sure not to cover or obstruct the grates that allow for proper ventilation of the appliance.

For proper ventilation of the appliance, you must leave:

- a space of at least 10 cm between the top part and any cabinets above it;

- a space of at least 5 cm between the sides of the appliance and any adjacent cabinets/walls.

Away from Heat

Avoid positioning the appliance in a place where it is directly exposed to sunlight or near an oven, cook top or the like.

Level

The appliance must be level. If the floor is not level, the adjustable feet located in front can be used to level the appliance.

Electrical Connection and Earthing

Before proceeding with the electrical connection, make sure that the voltage indicated on the rating plate, located within the freezer, corresponds to the mains voltage in your home and that the socket is fitted with a standard earthing wire in accordance with safety standards for 46/90 systems. If the socket is not fitted with an earthing wire, the manufacturer will not be held liability for any damages and or injuries arising out of the use of the appliance. Do not use multiple sockets or adapters.

Position the appliance in such a way that you can access the socket where it is plugged in.

Insufficient power?

The electrical socket must be able to handle the maximum power load of the appliance, which is indicated on the rating plate located within the freezer.

Before making the electrical connection ...

After the appliance has been delivered, place it in the vertical upright position and wait at least 3 hours before inserting the plug into the socket in order to ensure that it functions properly.

GET TO KNOW YOUR APPLIANCE

Power Supply Indicator Light

The green light will come on and stay on while the appliance is connected to the mains and is operating normally.

Fast Freeze Indicator Light

This yellow indicator light will come on when the "C" knob is on the Fast Freeze setting.

Temperature Adjustment Knob

This regulates the temperature inside the appliance automatically.

To adjust the temperature control, use a coin to turn the knob.

Warning Light

When this red warning light comes on for a prolonged period of time, it means that the freezer is not functioning properly and the temperature is rising too much. (Call your Service Centre)

This warning light might come on for a brief period when:

a) the door is left open for an extended period of time (when the freezer is being loaded or unloaded). b) the "C" knob is turned to the "Fast Freeze" setting.

In these two cases, the fact that the warning light comes on does not indicate that the freezer is malfunctioning or there is a defect.

Storage Compartments

Fast freeze Compartment

Levelling feet

GETTING YOUR APPLIANCE READY FOR USE

NOTICE

After transport stand the appliance upright and wait at least 3 hours before plugging the appliance into the mains to ensure proper performance.

Use average temperature settings to ensure optimum performance and to save energy.

Once the appliance is connected to the mains, the green "A" and the red "D" lights will come on. Turn the "C" knob to the Fast Freeze setting (the yellow "B" light will come on). When the red "D" light turns off, turn the "C" knob to one of the normal settings.

At this point, the freezer is ready for use.

How to use your freezer

Tips on Freezing

- Remember that you should never refreeze products you have allowed to thaw, even if only partially. Once thawed, cook the food, then either eat (within 24 hours) or refreeze it.

- Consult a specialized manual when packaging foods for freezing.

- For the best storage and thawing, remember to freeze small portions. This will ensure rapid and uniform freezing. Mark package with a description of the contents and the date it was frozen.

- Freeze only the quantities (in kg) shown on the data plate on the inside of the freezer.

- Turn the "C" knob to the Fast Freeze setting (the yellow "B" light will come on).

- Place the fresh food that is being frozen into the top compartments (F), making sure not to place them near food that has already been frozen, but preferably in contact with the cooling surfaces. In fact, proper food storage depends on the speed at which the fresh food is frozen. For this reason, we suggest that the temperature knob be placed on the Fast Freeze setting 24 hours before fresh food is placed in the appliance to be frozen. This operation is necessary for large quantities of food (up to the maximum capacity indicated on the data plate).

- During the freezing process, avoid opening the door of the freezer.

- Placing substantial amounts of fresh food in the appliance may temporarily raise the temperature within the freezer (the red light will turn on). Since this is a temporary situation, it will not compromise the storage of the food that has already been frozen.

- After 24 hours have passed and the fresh food has been frozen, turn the "C" knob back to one of the normal settings.

Attention: Do not forget to change the temperature setting if you want to avoid useless wastes of energy.

- In the case of power failure or breakdown, do not open the freezer door. This will help maintain the temperature inside the freezer, ensuring that foods are conserved for at least 20 hours.

- Do not place full bottles in the freezer because liquids increase in volume when they freeze and this could cause the bottles to burst.

- Fill the ice cube trays three-quarters of the way full.

Storage

Follow the instructions on the packages of frozen foods scrupulously. If none are provided, do not store the food for more than 3 months from the date of purchase.

When purchasing frozen foods, make sure that they have been stored at the proper temperature and that the package is properly sealed. When purchasing frozen foods, it is best to transport them in appropriate containers to keep them cold and then place them in the freezer immediately.

If the package is damp on the outside or is abnormally swollen, it is likely that the package was stored at an inadequate temperature and the food has deteriorated.

FOOD STORAGE

Meat and Fish

Food Wrapping		Tenderising (days)	Storage (months)	Thawing Time
Beef Roast Tinfoil 2 / 3 9	/ 10 Not required.
Lamb Tinfoil 1 / 2 6 Not required.
Pork Roast Tinfoil 1 6 Not required.
Veal Roast Tinfoil 1 8 Not required.
Veal/Pork Chops	Each piece wrapped in cling wrap and then in tinfoil (4 to 6 slices)		6 Not required.
Veal/Lamb Cutlets	Each piece wrapped in cling wrap and then in tinfoil (4 to 6 slices)		6 Not required.
Minced Meat	In aluminium containers covered with cling wrap.	Freshly minced	2 Slowly in refrigerator.
Heart and Liver Plastic Baggies 3 Not required.
Sausages Cling Wrap or	Tinfoil 2 As necessary.
Chicken and Turkey Tinfoil 1 / 3 9 Very slowly in refrigerator.
Duck and Goose Tinfoil 1 / 4 6 Very slowly in refrigerator.
Pheasant, Partrige and Wild Duck	Tinfoil 1 / 3 9 Very slowly in refrigerator.
Hare and Rabbit	Tinfoil 3 / 4 6 Very slowly in refrigerator.
Venison	Tinfoil or Cling Wrap	5 / 6 9 Very slowly in refrigerator.
Large Fish	Tinfoil or Cling Wrap		4 / 6	Very slowly in refrigerator.
Small Fish	Plastic Baggies		2 / 3	Not required.
Crustaceans	Plastic Baggies		3 / 6	Not required.
Shellfish	Store in salted water in aluminium containers or plastic containers.		3 Very slowly in refrigerator.
Boiled Fish Tinfoil or Cling Wrap		12	In hot water.
Fried Fish	Plastic Baggies		4 / 6	Directly in pan.

FOOD STORAGE

Fruits and Vegetables

Food Preparation		Blanching Time	Wrapping	Storage (months)	Thawing Time
Apples and Pears Peel	and cut into slices. 2'		In Containers (cover with syrup)	12 In refrigerator very slowly
Apricots, Peaches, Cherries and Plums	Peel and pit. 1' / 2'		In Containers (cover with syrup)	12 In refrigerator very slowly
Strawberries Blackberries and Raspberries	Rinse and fry.		In Containers (cover with sugar)	10 / 12 In refrigerator very slowly
Cooked Fruit Cut, cook and strain.			In Containers (add 10% sugar)	12 In refrigerator very slowly
Fruit Juice Wash, cut and crush.			In Containers (sugar to taste)	10 / 12 In refrigerator very slowly
Cauliflower	Remove leaves, cut head into small pieces and blanch in water and a little lemon juice.	2' Plastic Baggies 12 Not required.
Cabbage and Brussel Sprouts	Wash and cut into small pieces.	1' / 2' Plastic Baggies 10 / 12 At room temperature.
Peas Shell and wash.	2' Plastic Baggies 12 Not required.
French Beans Wash and slice if required. 2 Plastic Baggies 10 / 12 Not required.
Carrots, Peppers and Turnips	Peel, wash and slice if necessary.	3' / 4' Plastic Baggies 12 Not required.
Mushrooms and Asparagus	Wash, peel and cut up.	3' / 4'	Plastic Baggies or Containers	6	At room temperature.
Spinach	Wash and mince.	2' Plastic Baggies 12 At room temperature.
Vegetable for Soups	Wash and cut up in small pieces.	3'	Plastic Baggies or Containers	6 / 7	Not required.
Various Foods	Preparation	Blanching Time	Wrapping	Storage (months)	Thawing time
Bread			Plastic Baggies	4	At room temperature and in the oven.
Cakes			Plastic Baggies	6	About 10 minutes at room temperature, cook at 100/200°C.
Cream			Plastic Containers	6	At room temperature or in refrigerator.
Butter			In original wrapping or tinfoil	6	In refrigerator.
Boiled Food or Vegetable Soup			Plastic or Glass Containers	3 / 6	At room temperature or in hot water.
Eggs			Freeze without shells in small containers	10	At room temperature or in refrigerator.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

- Install the Appliance Correctly

This means that the appliance should be installed away from sources of heat or direct sunlight, in a well ventilated room.

- Correct Temperature Settings

Set the freezer temperature knob to one of the medium settings. Very low temperatures will not only consume a great deal of energy, but will neither improve nor lengthen the storage life of the food.

- Shut the Doors

Open your appliance only when strictly necessary - every time you open the door most of the cold air will be lost. In order to restore the correct temperature, the motor will have to run and consume energy.

- Check the Door Seals

Keep the seals clean and pliable so that they fit closely against the door to ensure that no cold air is lost.

- Avoid Frost Buildup

Remember to check the sides of the freezer for frost. When the frost becomes too thick, defrost the freezer immediately (See, "Caring for Your Appliance").

CARING FOR YOUR APPLIANCE

Before doing any cleaning, disconnect the appliance from the electricity (by pulling out the plug or turning off the general switch in your home).

Defrosting

WARNING: do not damage the refrigeration circuit.

Do not use mechanical devices or other tools to speed up the defrosting process, unless they have been recommended by the manufacturer.

It is a good idea to remove the frost buildup from the inside of the appliance from time to time.

Make sure not to use pointed metal objects to do so as this could result in piercing the refrigeration circuits, causing irreparable damage to the appliance. Use the plastic scraper provided with the freezer.

To defrost the freezer completely (which should be done once or twice a year), disconnect the appliance from the power supply and leave the door open until all the frost has melted.

The freezer is equipped with a system to drain the water from the defrosting procedure. Simply, place a container in the position indicated in fig. 1.

Fig. 1

To speed up defrosting, one or more pots of warm water can be placed inside the appliance.

While defrosting the freezer, it is a good idea to wrap the food taken from the freezer in several layers of paper and place it in a cool place. Since the temperature of the frozen food will inevitably rise, it is best to consume it quickly as its storage life will have been shortened.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The inside of the freezer should be cleaned on a periodic basis after it has been defrosted. Only use a water and bicarbonate solution to clean the appliance. Do not use abrasive cleaning products, detergents or soap. After the inside has been cleaned, rinse well with clean water and dry carefully.

Once the appliance has been cleaned, turn on the appliance, following the instructions in "Setting Up Your Appliance."

TROUBLESHOOTING

The Green Light is Off

Have you checked if:

• there is power to the unit? - the main power switch to the house is on? - Check the plug is firmly position in the wall socket and the power supply is switched on. - Check that the thermostat setting is not in the Off position - Check the power supply with another appliance

The Red Alarm Light is Always On

Have you checked if:

• the door is closed properly and the seal is still OK? • the door is being opened too often?
• the temperature knob is on the right setting? • there is too much frost buildup?

The Motor Runs Constantly

Have you checked if:

• the yellow light is on (constant operation setting)?
• the thermostat is on the right setting?

The Appliance Makes Too Much Noise

Have you checked if:

• the freezer is level?
• the appliance has been installed between cabinets that vibrate and make noise?
• it is the noise made by the refrigerant, which occurs even when the compressor is off (this is not a defect).

If after all the checks, the appliance still does not operate or the problem persists, call the nearest Service Centre and inform them of: the type of problem, the abbreviation of the model name (Mod.) and the relative numbers (S/N) written on the rating plate located within the freezer (see examples in the figures below).

Never call on unauthorized technicians and always refuse spare parts which are not originals.

DOOR REVERSAL

Warning: Before attempting to remove the door, switch off the electrical supply and pull out the mains plug.

It is recommended that you remove any loose items/fittings from inside the appliance and place food into insulated containers whilst carrying out this operation.

You may require assistance to carefully lay the appliance onto its back onto suitable protective materials (i.e. original packaging).

Remove the door

1. Lay down the appliance on its back.
2. Unscrew, remove and retain the bottom hinge pin.
3. Slightly open the door and slide downward, remove and carefully place to one side.
4. Unscrew the hinge pin from the top right hand side and refit the pin into the hole in left hand side.
5. Use a thin blunt instrument to remove the top and bottom hinge bushes and blanking plugs from the door, take care not to mark the door handle.

Reposition the blanking plugs and bushes on the opposite side.

Replacing the door

1. Carefully slide the door upward into the hinge pin. 2 .Fit the bottom hinge pin making sure that the door is aligned to the cabinet.
2. Carefully stand the appliance upright in it's required location and make sure it is sitting level on the floor. Open and close the door checking that the gasket makes a good seal without any gaps when the door is closed.

Note: Replace loose items/fittings back into the appliance and leave for at least 15 minutes before switching back on.