GCO120 - Freezer INDESIT - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL GCO120 INDESIT

Installation and use

Congélateur

Installation etemploi

Vriekast

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

Safety - a good habit to get into.

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) ans 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).

• The manufacturer reserves himself the right to modify the characteristics of the models without prior notice.

• Some models may not have all the accessoires indicated.

• 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 whether is exceedingly dangerous.

• 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.
• Do not attempt to operate or handle this appliance when barefoot, or with wet hands or feet.
• 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 chord is not dangerously crimped or trapped beneath a heavy object.

1. Never pull the cable or the appliance to remove the plug from the socket; this is exceedingly dangerous.
2. Do not touch the internal cooling elements, especially if your hands are wet, since you could burn or hurt yourself. Do not place ice cubes straight from the freezer into your mouth as this may result in burns.
3. Before doing any cleaning, disconnect the appliance from the electricity (by pulling out the plug or turning off the general switch in your home).
4. 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, keeo the key out of the reach of small children.
5. 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.
6. 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.

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 provide 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 10cm 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.

Electrical Connection and Earthing

Before proceeding with the electrical connection, make sure that the voltage indicated on the rating plate, located on the back part of 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.

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 on the back part of the freezer.

A Closer Look

Temperature Adjustment Knob

This knob makes it possible to adjust the internal temperature of the freezer with the following settings:

• Stop: the freezer is off;
• 1: Freezer is on low;
• 4: Freezer is on high;

By turning the knob from setting "1" to setting "4" allows you to lower the temperature.

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 the door is left open for an extended period of time (when the freezer is being loaded or unloaded).

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 freezing switch E is on the setting.

The freezing switch

When in position (yellow light "D" lit), allows the compressor to function continuously in order to reach the low temperatures necessary for the rapid freezing of fresh food. When the appliance is running normally, this switch should be the first setting (opposite "")

Wheels

Setting Up Your Appliance

Once the appliance has been connected to the power source, the green C and red B lights will turn on. Turn the fast freeze switch (E) to the Super setting (the yellow D light will turn on).

When the red LED B turns off, set the freezer switch E to the first setting (yellow LED OFF): you may now use your appliance.

NOTICE

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

Getting the Most Out of Your Appliance

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.

• Never freeze more food than that allowed by the maximum freezing capacity indicated on the data plate which is located on the back of the freezer.

• Turn the E switch to the setting (the yellow D light will come on).

• To freeze food, make sure that the red light is off. Then turn the fast freeze switch (E) to the setting (Super).

Then place the food to be frozen into the freezer, making sure that it is placed, to the furthest extent possible, in direct contact with the side walls of the deepest part of the freezer and not in contact with food that has already been frozen. It should be kept in mind, in fact, that proper storage depends on the speed at which the food is frozen. For this reason, we recommend that the switch be turned to the setting 24 hours before the food to be frozen is placed inside the freezer.

• Avoid opening the freezer door during the freezing process.

• 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.

• When foods are frozen, normally after about 24 hours, always remember to return the fast freezing switch “E” to its original position (yellow light “C” OFF) since this will save energy.

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.

Storage

For best storage of fresh-frozen and frozen foods, do not set the thermostat knob below 1, regardless of the ambient temperature of the room where the freezer is installed. For ambient temperatures of up to 25^ - 27^ , the thermostat knob should be set between 1 and 2, while for temperatures up to 32^ the setting should be between 2 and 3.

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.

Guide to Using the Freezer

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, Partridge 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.

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

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.

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."

When not in use

Should the unit not be used for a long period of time (for example during the summer holidays), disconnect the plug from the mains and leave the door open to avoid the formation of mould and unpleasant odours after completing the defrosting and cleaning operations.

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?

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 on the back part of the freezer (see examples in the figures below).

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

- Attention au joint