ZRB31L - Refrigerator Zanussi-Electrolux - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Fridge-Freezer
Brand	Zanussi-Electrolux
Model	ZRB31L
Height	1760 mm
Width	600 mm
Depth	600 mm
Net Fridge Capacity	225 L
Net Freezer Capacity	78 L
Energy Efficiency Class	A
Energy Consumption	0.91 kWh/24h (334 kWh/year)
Freezing Capacity	4 kg/24h
Rising Time	20 h
Climate Class	SN, N, ST, T
Temperature Control	Thermostat knob with settings 1-6
Ambient Switch	For room temperatures below +16°C
Shelves	Movable glass shelves with humidity control
Door Shelves	Adjustable height
Freezer Drawers	Upper compartment for freezing
Defrosting	Automatic in fridge, manual in freezer (scraper provided)
Interior Light	Replaceable bulb
Ice Cube Trays	Included
Door Reversibility	Yes (instructions provided)
Refrigerant	Hydrocarbons
Weight (approx.)	Not specified; estimated 60-70 kg
Power Supply	230 V, 50 Hz

Frequently Asked Questions - ZRB31L Zanussi-Electrolux

How do I adjust the temperature in my Zanussi-Electrolux ZRB31L refrigerator?

Turn the thermostat knob (D) clockwise to higher settings (1-6) for colder temperatures. Setting 'O' stops the appliance. The exact setting depends on room temperature, door openings, and food quantity.

What should I do if the ambient temperature is low?

If the room temperature drops below +16°C, press the ambient switch (B). The pilot light (A) will come on. This ensures proper freezer performance.

How do I defrost the freezer compartment?

When frost exceeds 4 mm, use the plastic scraper provided. For heavy ice, unplug the appliance, remove food, leave door open, and place a basin to collect water. Never use sharp metal tools.

Can I change the door opening direction?

Yes. Unplug the appliance, remove the ventilation grille and hinges, reverse the door swing, and reassemble. Detailed steps are in the manual. After reversal, check that the magnetic seal adheres properly.

How do I clean the refrigerator?

Clean the interior with warm water and bicarbonate of soda. Use warm water with mild detergent for the exterior. Clean the condenser and compressor at the back with a brush or vacuum cleaner.

What is the maximum freezing capacity in 24 hours?

The appliance can freeze up to 4 kg of fresh food in 24 hours. For best results, press the ambient switch 12 hours before freezing.

Why is there water inside the refrigerator?

Check the defrost water drain hole in the middle of the fridge channel. Clean it to prevent overflow. If blocked, water may drip onto food.

Is it safe to store fizzy drinks in the freezer?

No. Carbonated liquids can burst due to pressure. Never place them in the freezer compartment.

How do I replace the interior light bulb?

Unhook the moving part of the light cover. Check if the bulb is screwed in properly. If not, replace with a bulb of the same rating (see cover).

What should I do during a power failure?

Keep the freezer door closed. Frozen food stays safe for up to 6-8 hours if the freezer is full. Do not open the door during the outage.

USER MANUAL ZRB31L Zanussi-Electrolux

It is most important that this instruction book should be retained with the appliance for future reference. Should the appliance be sold or transferred to another owner, or should you move house and leave the appliance, always ensure that the book is supplied with the appliance in order that the new owner can be acquainted with the functioning of the appliance and the relevant warnings.

If this appliance featuring magnetic door seals is to replace an older appliance having a spring lock (latch) on the door or lid, be sure to make that spring lock unusable before you discard the old appliance. This will prevent it from becoming a death-trap for a child.

These warnings are provided in the interest of safety. You must read them carefully before installing or using the appliance.

General Safety

• This appliance is designed to be operated by adults. Children should not be allowed to tamper with the controls or play with the product.
• It is dangerous to alter the specifications or modify this product in any way.
• Before any cleaning or maintenance work is carried out, be sure to switch off and unplug the appliance.
• This appliance is heavy. Care should be taken when moving it
• Ice lollies can cause frost burns if consumed straight from the appliance.
• Take utmost care when handling your appliance so as not to cause any damages to the cooling unit with consequent possible fluid leakages.
• The appliance must not be located close to radiators or gas cookers.
• Avoid prolonged exposure of the appliance to direct sunlight.
• There must be adequate ventilation round the back of the appliance and any damage to the refrigerant circuit must be avoided.
• For freezers only (except built-in models): an ideal location is the cellar or basement.
• Do not use other electrical appliances (such as ice cream makers) inside of refrigerating appliances.

Service/Repair

• Any electrical work required to install this appliance should be carried out by a qualified electrician or competent person
• This product should be serviced by an authorized Service Centre, and only genuine spare parts should be used.
• Under no circumstances should you attempt to repair the appliance yourself. Repairs carried out by inexperienced persons may cause injury or

more serious malfunctioning. Refer to your local Service Centre, and always insist on genuine spare parts.

- This appliance contains hydrocarbons in its cooling unit; maintenance and recharging must therefore only be carried out by authorized technicians.

Use

• The domestic refrigerators and freezers are designed to be used specifically for the storage of edible foodstuffs only.
• Best performance is obtained with ambient temperature between +18°C and +43°C (class T); +18°C and +38°C (class ST); +16°C and +32°C (class N); +10°C and +32°C (class SN). The class of your appliance is shown on its rating plate.

Warning: when the ambient temperature is not included within the range indicated for the class of this appliance, the following instructions must be observed: when the ambient temperature drops below the minimum level, the storage temperature in the freezer compartment cannot be guaranteed; therefore it is advisable to use the food stored as soon as possible.

• Frozen food must not be re-frozen once it has been thawed out.
• Manufacturers' storage recommendations should be strictly adhered to. Refer to relevant instructions.
• The inner lining of the appliance consists of channels through which the refrigerant passes. If these should be punctured this would damage the appliance beyond repair and cause food loss. DO NOT USE SHARP INSTRUMENTS to scrape off frost or ice. Frost may be removed by using a plastic scraper. Under no circumstances should solid ice be forced off the liner. Solid ice should be allowed to thaw when defrosting the appliance.

- Do not place carbonated or fizzy drinks in the freezer as it creates pressure on the container, which may cause it to explode, resulting in damage to the appliance. Do not use a mechanical device or any artificial means to speed up the thawing process other than those recommended by the manufacturer. Never use metal objects for cleaning your appliance as it may get damaged.

Installation

- During normal operation, the condenser and compressor at the back of the appliance heat up considerably. For safety reasons, minimum ventilation must be as shown in the instructions.

Attention: keep ventilation openings clear of obstruction.

• Care must be taken to ensure that the appliance does not stand on the electrical supply cable.
  Important: if the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by a special cord or assembly available from the manufacturer or its service agent.
• If the appliance is transported horizontally, it is possible that the oil contained in the compressor flows in the refrigerant circuit. It is advisable to wait at least two hours before connecting the appliance to allow the oil to flow back in the compressor.
• There are working parts in this product which heat up. Always ensure that there is adequate ventilation as a failure to do this will result in component failure and possible food loss. See installation instructions.
• Parts which heat up should not be exposed. Wherever possible the back of the product should be against a wall.

CONTENTS

Warnings 17

Use 19

Control panel 19

Cleaning the interior 19

Operation 19

Temperature regulation 19

Ambient knob 19

Freezing fresh food 19

Storage of frozen food 20

Thawing 20

Fresh food refrigeration 20

Movable shelves 21

Positioning the door shelves 21

Crisp'n fresh 21

Environment Protection

This appliance does not contain gasses which could damage the ozone layer, in either its refrigerant circuit or insulation materials. The appliance shall not be discarded together with the urban refuse and rubbish. Avoid damaging the cooling unit, especially at the rear near the heat exchanger. Information on your local disposal sites may be obtained from municipal authorities. The materials used on this appliance marked by the symbol 🙏 are recyclable.

The symbol 📄 on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product may not be treated as household waste. Instead it shall be handed over to the applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. By ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential negative consequences for the environment and human health, which could otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste handling of this product. For more detailed information about recycling of this product, please contact your local city office, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.

Hints 22

Hints for refrigeration 22

Hints for freezing 22

Hints for storage of frozen food 22

Maintenance 23

Periodic cleaning 23

Periods of no operation 23

Interior light 23

Defrosting 23

Customer service and spare parts 24

Installation 25

Location 25

Shelf holders 26

Electrical connection 26

Changing the opening direction of the doors 27

A. Ambient switch light
B. Ambient switch
C. Pilot light
D. Thermostat knob

Cleaning the interior

Before using the appliance for the first time, wash the interior and all internal accessories with lukewarm water and some neutral soap so as to remove the typical smell of a brand-new product, then dry thoroughly.

Do not use detergents or abrasive powders, as these will damage the finish.

Operation

Insert the power supply plug into the nearest wall socket. Turn the thermostat knob (D), clockwise, beyond the "O" (STOP) position.(the function indicator light (C) will light up.

To turn off the refrigerator, turn the thermostat knob to the «O» position.

Temperature regulation

The temperature is automatically regulated and can be increased to achieve a higher temperature (warmer) by rotating the thermostat knob toward lower (1) settings or reduced (colder) rotating the knob towards higher (6) settings.

However, the exact setting should be chosen keeping in mind that the temperature inside the refrigerator depends on:

• room temperature;
  • how often the door is opened;
  • the quantity of food stored;
• location of appliance.

Important

If the ambient temperature is high or the appliance is fully loaded, and the appliance is set to the lowest temperatures, it may run continuously causing frost to form on the rear wall. In this case the dial must be set to a higher temperature to allow automatic defrosting and therefore reduced energy consumption.

Ambient switch

With a room temperature lower then +16°C, the ambient switch (B) must be depressed. Pilot light (A) will come on.

Freezing fresh food

The 4-star compartment is suitable for long term storage of commercially frozen food, and for freezing fresh food. Do not exceed the storage times shown by the manufacturer on the commercially frozen food packets.

To freeze fresh foods depress the ambient switch at least 12 hours before introducing the food into the freezer in order to ensure better freezing results.

Place the food to be frozen on the upper compartment.

Important

Do not put carbonated liquids (fizzy drinks, etc.) in the freezing compartment as they may burst.

Water ices, if consumed immediately after removal from the freezing compartment, can possibly cause the skin to be freeze burnt.

Remember that, once thawed, frozen food deteriorates rapidly.

Storage of frozen food

When first starting-up or after a period out of use, before putting the products in the compartment depress the ambient switch at least 12 hours before.

To obtain the best performance from this appliance, you should:

if large quantities of food are to be stored, remove all drawers and baskets from appliance and place food on cooling shelves.

Pay careful attention not to exceed load ▼ limit stated on the side of the upper section (where applicable).

Important

If there is a power failure when food is in the freezer, do not open the door of the freezer compartment. The frozen food will not be affected if the power cut is of short duration (up to 6-8 hours) and the freezer compartment is full, otherwise, it is recommended that the food should be used within a short time (a temperature increase of the frozen food shortens its safe storage period).

Thawing

Deep-frozen or frozen food, prior to being used, can be thawed in the refrigerator compartment or at room temperature, depending on the time available for this operation.

Small pieces may even be cooked still frozen, directly from the freezer: in this case, cooking will take longer.

Ice-cube production

This appliance is equipped with one or more trays for the production of ice-cubes. Fill these trays with water, then put them in the freezer compartment.

Do not use metallic instruments to remove the trays from the freezer.

Fresh food refrigeration

To obtain the best performance:

- do not store warm food or evaporating liquids in the refrigerator;

- do cover or wrap the food, particularly if it has a strong flavour.

- Position food so that air can circulate freely round it.

Movable shelves

The walls of the refrigerator are equipped with a series of runners so that the shelves can be positioned as desired.

Positioning the door shelves

To permit storage of food packages of various sizes, the door shelves can be placed at different heights.

To make these adjustments proceed as follows: Gradually pull the shelf in the direction of the arrows until it comes free, then reposition as required.

Line drawing of a hand holding a shelf with a paper tab, no text or symbols present

Diagram of a refrigerated storage unit with wavy insulation and a black arrow indicating airflow direction (no text or symbols)

Humidity control

The glass shelf incorporates a device with slits (adjustable by means of a sliding lever), which makes it possible to regulate the temperature in the vegetable drawer(s).

Close the slots to obtain a warmer temperature and greater humidity.

Open the slots to obtain a cooler temperature and less humidity.

i HINTS

Hints for refrigeration

Useful hints:

Meat (all types): wrap in polythene bags and place on the glass shelf above the vegetable drawer.

For safety, store in this way only one or two days at the most.

Cooked foods, cold dishes, etc.: these should be covered and may be placed on any shelf.

Fruit and vegetables: these should be thoroughly cleaned and placed in the special drawer(s) provided.

Butter and cheese: these should be placed in special airtight containers or wrapped in aluminium foil or polythene bags to exclude as much air as possible.

Milk bottles: these should have a cap and should be stored in the bottle rack on the door.

Bananas, potatoes, onions and garlic, if not packed, must not be kept in the refrigerator.

Hints for freezing

To help you make the most of the freezing process, here are some important hints:

- the maximum quantity of food which can be frozen in 24 hrs. is shown on the rating plate;

- the freezing process takes 24 hours. No further food to be frozen should be added during this period;

- only freeze top quality, fresh and thoroughly cleaned, foodstuffs;

- prepare food in small portions to enable it to be rapidly and completely frozen and to make it possible subsequently to thaw only the quantity required;

- wrap up the food in aluminium foil or polythene and make sure that the packages are airtight;

- do not allow fresh, unfrozen food to touch food which is already frozen, thus avoiding a rise in temperature of the latter;

- lean foods store better and longer than fatty ones; salt reduces the storage life of food;

• water ices, if consumed immediately after removal from the freezer compartment, can possibly cause the skin to be freeze burnt;

- it is advisable to show the freezing-in date on each individual pack to enable you to keep tab of the storage time;

- The symbols on the drawers show different types of frozen goods.

The numbers indicate storage times in months for the appropriate types of frozen goods. Whether the upper or lower value of the indicated storage time is valid depends on the quality of the foods and pre-treating before freezing;

- do not put carbonated liquids (fizzy drinks, etc.) in the freezer compartment as they may burst.

Hints for storage of frozen food

To obtain the best performance from this appliance, you should:

• make sure that the commercially frozen foodstuffs were adequately stored by the retailer;

- be sure that frozen foodstuffs are transferred from the foodstore to the freezer in the shortest possible time;

- not open the door frequently or leave it open longer than absolutely necessary.

- Once defrosted, food deteriorates rapidly and cannot be refrozen.

- Do not exceed the storage period indicated by the food manufacturer.

MAINTENANCE

Unplug the appliance before carrying out any maintenance operation.

Warning

This appliance contains hydrocarbons in its cooling unit; maintenance and recharging must therefore only be carried out by authorized technicians.

Periods of non-operation

When the appliance is not in use for long periods, take the following precautions:

remove the plug from the wall socket;

remove all food;

defrost and clean the interior and all accessories;

leave the door ajar to allow air to circulate to prevent unpleasant smells.

Interior light

The light bulb inside the refrigerator compartment can be reached as follows:

- unhook the moving part as shown in the figure.

If the light does not come on when the door is open, check that it is screwed into place properly. If it still does not light up, change the bulb.

The rating is shown on the light bulb cover.

Defrosting

Frost is automatically eliminated from the evaporator of the refrigerator compartment every time the motor compressor stops, during normal use. The defrost water drains out through a trough into a special container at the back of the appliance, over the motor compressor, where it evaporates.

It is important to periodically clean the defrost water drain hole in the middle of the refrigerator compartment channel to prevent the water overflowing and dripping onto the food inside.

The freezer compartment, however, will become progressively covered with frost. This should be removed with the special plastic scraper provided, whenever the thickness of the frost exceeds 4 mm. During this operation it is not necessary to switch off the power supply or to remove the foodstuffs.

Never use sharp metal tools to scrape off frost from the evaporator as you could damage it.

Periodic cleaning

Many proprietary kitchen surface cleaners contain chemicals that can attack/damage the plastics used in this appliance. For this reason it is recommended that the outer casing of this appliance is only cleaned with warm water with a little washing-up liquid addedClean the inside with warm water and bicarbonate of soda.

Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Clean the condenser (black grill) and the compressor at the back of the appliance with a brush or a vacuum cleaner. This operation will improve the performance of the appliance and save electricity consumption.

Illustration of a hand holding a tool inside a circular frame, with arrows indicating motion direction (no text or symbols)

However, when the ice becomes very thick on the inner liner, complete defrosting should be carried out as follows:

1. pull out the plug from the wall socket or turn the thermostat knob to the «O» setting;
2. remove any stored food, wrap it in several layers of newspaper and put it in a cool place;
3. leave the door open, and insert the plastic scraper in the appropriate seating at the bottom centre, placing a basin underneath to collect the defrost water.
4. when defrosting is completed, dry the interior thoroughly; keep the scraper for future use;
5. turn the thermostat knob back to the required setting or replace the plug in the power socket.
6. After two or three hours, reload the previously removed food into the compartment.

Important:

Never use sharp metal tools to scrape off frost from the evaporator as you could damage it.

Do not use a mechanical device or any artificial means to speed up the thawing process other than those recommended by the manufacturer.

A temperature rise of the frozen food packs, during defrosting, may shorten their safe storage life.

Line drawing of a mechanical assembly with a box and bracket (no text or symbols)

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPARE PARTS

If the appliance is not functioning properly, check that:

• the plug is firmly in the wall socket and the mains power switch is on;
• there is an electricity supply (find out by plugging in another appliance);
• the thermostat knob is in the correct position.
• If there are water drops on the bottom of the cabinet, check that the defrost water drain opening is not obstructed (see "Defrosting" section).

- If your appliance is still not working properly after making the above checks, contact the nearest service centre.

To obtain fast service, it is essential that when you apply for it you specify the model and serial number of your appliance which can be found on the guarantee certificate or on the rating plate located inside the appliance, on the bottom left-hand side.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Energy Efficiency class	A
Net Fridge Capacity lt.	225
Net Frezer Capacity lt.	78
Energy Consumption kWh/24h	0,91
Energy Consumption kWh/year	334
Freezing Capacity kg	4
Rising time h	20
Dimensions mm
High	1760
Width	600
Depth	600

The technical infomation are situated in the rating plate on the internal left side of the appliance.

INSTALLATION

Location

The appliance should be installed well away from sources of heat such as radiators, boilers, direct sunlight etc.

For safety reasons, minimum ventilation must be as shown in Fig.

Appliance positioned under overhanging kitchen wall units.

Appliance positioned without overhanging kitchen wall units.

Attention: keep ventilation openings clear of obstruction.

Two adjustable feet at the cabinet base allow accurate levelling of the appliance.

Rear spacers

In the bag with the documentation, there are two spacers which must be fitted in the two top corners.

Slacken the screws and insert the sp acer under the screw head, then re-tighten the screws.

Attention

It must be possible to disconnect the appliance from the mains power supply; the plug must therefore be easily accessible after installation.

Technical line drawing of a mechanical assembly with a magnified inset showing a component (no text or symbols)

Electrical connection

Before plugging in, ensure that the voltage and frequency shown on the serial number plate correspond to your domestic power supply. Voltage can vary by ±6% of the rated voltage.

For operation with different voltages, a suitably sized auto-transformer must be used.

The appliance must be earthed.

The power supply cable plug is provided with a contact for this purpose.

If the domestic power supply socket is not earthed, connect the appliance to a separate earth in compliance with current regulations, consulting a specialist technician.

The Manufacturer declines all responsibility if the above safety precautions are not observed.

This appliance complies with the following E.E.C. Directives:

• 87/308 EEC of 2/6/87 relative to radio interference suppression.
• 73/23 EEC of 19.2.73 (Low Voltage Directive) and subsequent modifications;
• 89/336 EEC of 3.5.89 (Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive) and subsequent modifications.

Changing the opening direction of the doors

Before carrying out any operations, remove the plug from the power socket.

To change the opening direction of the door, proceed as follows:

1. pull off the ventilation grille (D) which is clipped into place;
2. remove the bottom hinge (E) by unscrewing its three fixing screws;
3. remove the lower door, sliding it out of the middle hinge;
4. unscrew the middle hinge (H);
5. remove the upper door, releasing it from the upper pin (G);
6. unscrew the upper pin (G) and refit it on the opposite side;
7. remove the two plugs of the door (where available), discovering the holes for the hinge pins, assemble them on the opposite side and refit the upper door;
8. reassemble the middle hinge on the opposite side;
9. using a 10 mm spanner, unscrew the hinge pin (E) and reassemble it on the opposite side of the hinge;
10. reassemble the lower hinge (E) on the opposite side, using the screws previously removed. Slide the hole cover (F) out of the ventilation grille (D) by pushing it in the direction of the arrow and reassemble it on the opposite side:
11. reassemble the lower door;
12. refit the ventilation grille (D), clipping it into place.

To line up the doors, it is possible to adjust the middle hinge (H) horizontally by means of a tool, after slackening the two screws (see figure).

Warning:

After having reversed the opening direction of the doors check that all the screws are properly tightened and that the magnetic seal adheres to the cabinet. If the ambient temperature is cold (i.e. in Winter), the gasket may not fit perfectly to the cabinet. In that case, wait for the natural fitting of the gasket or accelerate this process by heating up the part involved with a normal hairdrier.

Technical line drawing of a mechanical component with labeled part G (no text or symbols beyond label)

Diagram showing a hand holding a tool inside a circular component, with arrows indicating direction (no text or symbols present)

From the Electrolux Group. The world's No.1 choice.

The Electrolux Group is the world's largest producer of powered appliances for kitchen, cleaning and outdoor use. More than 55 million Electrolux Group products (such as refrigerators, cookers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, chain saws and lawn mowers) are sold each year to a value of approx. USD 14 billion in more than 150 countries around the world.