Refrigerators Atlant for many years they have remained one of the most popular in the post-Soviet space due to their reliability and maintainability. However, even the highest quality equipment requires periodic maintenance, and one of the most common tasks for the owner is finding and cleaning the drainage system. Many users are faced with a situation where water accumulates at the bottom of the chamber or under the device, and do not know how to get to the condensate collection container. Understanding where the tray of the Atlant refrigerator is is the key to solving problems with leaks and unpleasant odors.
The design of the units of the Belarusian manufacturer has its own characteristics that distinguish them from European or Korean analogues. Depending on the series and year of manufacture, the drain tray can be accessed either through the rear wall or through the space behind the compressor. It is important to understand that drain pan is not just a container, but part of a complex moisture evaporation system, and its correct location directly affects the efficiency of the entire device. In this article we will analyze in detail where to look for this element in various modifications.
If you notice a puddle under the equipment or feel dampness inside, do not panic. Most often, the problem is solved by simply cleaning or correctly installing the misaligned tray. Modern Atlant models designed to minimize user intervention, but knowledge of the unit’s design will help you quickly fix the problem without calling a technician. Let's figure out how the moisture removal system works and where exactly this important unit is hidden.
The main purpose and principle of operation of the drainage system
To understand where to look for a pallet, you must first understand why it is needed at all and how the moisture removal system works. During operation of the refrigerator, condensation forms on the internal walls, especially in the refrigerator compartment with a drip defrosting system. This moisture flows down the back wall into a special hole located at the bottom of the chamber. It is from there that the water enters the tube leading to the liquid collection point.
The main task drain pan is to collect this water and provide conditions for its natural evaporation. In most models Atlant the tray is located in an area of high temperature, usually above the compressor or in close proximity to it. The heat emanating from the motor heats the bottom of the container, causing the water to quickly evaporate into the atmosphere, without requiring manual draining. This engineering solution, ingenious in its simplicity, allows you to forget about the need to regularly bail out water.
However, the system does not always work perfectly. If the tray has moved, cracked or overflowed due to a blockage in the tube, water begins to flow out. In Atlant refrigerators with the No Frost system, the tray is often combined with the evaporator and is located in a hidden compartment, where access is difficult without partially disassembling the case. Understanding this principle helps to localize the problem: if water drips inside the chamber, there is a blockage in the channel; if it flows under the legs, there is a problem with the tray or its overflow.
Where to look for a drip tray in classic two-chamber models
Classic two-chamber refrigerators Atlant, such as the popular series 40, 42 or 45, have the simplest and most affordable drainage system design. In these models, the condensate collection pan is most often located at the bottom of the unit, directly above the compressor. To see it, it is not necessary to disassemble the entire refrigerator; it is enough to gain access to the rear lower part of the case.
You can get to the tray location area by moving the refrigerator away from the wall. In some modifications, access is closed with a decorative cover or cardboard, which is secured with latches or screws. Having removed the protection, you will see the compressor (motor), the condenser grille and, often, itself plastic trayput on top of the motor casing or secured next to it. Water from the refrigerator compartment enters it through a thin tube coming out from the back.
It is important to note that in older models the tray may be fixed quite rigidly, and to remove it you may need to unscrew the fixing screws. New versions Atlant use a system of quick-release fasteners. If you do not see an obvious tray from the outside, it may be integrated into the design of the compressor casing or hidden behind thermal insulation material that folds back neatly.
- 🔍 Rear bottom panel: The main search area where the compressor and often the tray itself is located.
- 🔍 Drainage tube: coming from the back wall inside the chamber, it discharges water precisely into this area.
- 🔍 Motor casing: in some models, the tray is its upper part.
Location features in models with the No system Frost
The situation with finding a tray in refrigerators Atlantequipped with the system No Frost (or “Windy Cold”) is radically different from classic models. In such units, the process of moisture evaporation is automated and occurs in a hidden block. There is no usual open tray above the compressor in the classical sense, accessible for simple visual inspection.
In the No Frost system, moisture from food and air settles on the evaporator, which is located in a special compartment (usually behind the back panel of the freezer or refrigerator). The heating element is periodically turned on, the ice melts, and the water flows into the pan, which is located directly under the evaporator, often in the lower part of the housing, but in an isolated area. Evaporation occurs due to the heat from the compressor to which this hidden compartment is adjacent.
⚠️ Attention: On No Frost models, attempting to locate the tray through the rear wall without removing the internal panels may damage the insulation or plastic fasteners. Access to the drainage unit often requires partial disassembly of the inside of the freezer.
If water appears in your Atlanta No Frost, most often the problem is not the absence of a tray, but that the drainage hole inside the chamber is frozen or clogged with crumbs. Water overflows the internal basin and flows either into the chamber, or, in rare cases, through the cracks of the housing to the outside. To check, you need to defrost the refrigerator completely (for 24 hours) so that the ice in the drainage channel melts.
Why is it more difficult to find a tray in No Frost?
In No Frost systems, the tray is often hidden behind multilayer thermal insulation and plastic panels, since it is located in the low temperature zone inside the case, and not outside. Its design is aimed at maximizing the use of heat from the compressor, which can be located in a separate lower compartment connected to the evaporator area by an air channel.
Instructions for removing and cleaning the tray
If you have determined where the tray is on your Atlant refrigerator and decided to remove it for washing, follow a clear algorithm of actions. Violation of the sequence can lead to damage to the tubes or plastic elements. Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the unit from the power supply.
First, provide access to the rear lower part of the refrigerator. If a decorative panel is in the way, carefully remove it. Find the tube through which the water flows - it usually enters the tray from the top or side. Carefully disconnect the tube if the design allows it, or simply remove the tray if the tube is inserted into it with a gap. On models where the tray is attached to the compressor housing, you simply need to lift it and pull it out.
Wash the container with warm water and a mild detergent. Do not use abrasive powders or hard brushes to avoid scratching the plastic - scratches allow odor-causing bacteria to multiply faster. After washing, thoroughly dry the tray before replacing it.
☑️ Checklist for cleaning the drainage
Typical malfunctions and methods for eliminating them
Even knowing where the tray is located, users often encounter problems that cannot be solved by simple washing. The most common of these is tray offset. If it is installed crookedly, water may overflow and drip onto the floor or compressor, causing corrosion and steaming. In this case, you need to correct its position, making sure that it is horizontal.
The second common problem is cracks in the plastic. Over time, the material ages, becomes brittle and can burst due to temperature changes or mechanical stress. If you find a crack, you can temporarily seal it with silicone sealant, but it is better to order an original spare part. Pan repair Glue or soldering often gives a temporary effect, since plastic is difficult to adhere to.
There is also a situation when the pallet is intact and stands correctly, but there is water still doesn't have time to evaporate. This may be due to excess moisture (for example, if you put a hot pan in the chamber) or to insufficient compressor temperature (if it works intermittently). In hot summers, evaporation may be slower and the tray may overfill.
| Symptom | Possible cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| Water inside the chamber | Clog drainage hole | Clean with a brush or soft wire |
| Puddle under the refrigerator | The tray is displaced or cracked | Adjust the tray or replace it |
| Unpleasant odor | Water stagnation in the tray | Rinse the system with a disinfectant |
| Noise during operation | Water drips onto the hot compressor | Check the angle of inclination tray |
Prevention and care of the drainage system
To prevent the question “where is the tray of the Atlant refrigerator” from arising too often due to emergency situations, it is important to follow the operating rules. Regular maintenance will extend the life of the drainage system. Once every six months, it is recommended to conduct a visual inspection of the rear of the unit and check the cleanliness of the drainage hole inside the chamber.
To clean the hole, use special brushes, which are often included, or a regular cotton swab. You can rinse the channel with warm water by pouring it into the funnel. If the water drains slowly, it means more thorough cleaning is required. It is also useful to wipe the inner walls of the chamber so that food debris does not fall into the drain.
⚠️ Attention: Never use sharp metal objects (knives, knitting needles) to clean the drainage hole inside the chamber. You can pierce the thin plastic tube that is located behind the wall, and then the repair will require disassembling the entire refrigerator.
Monitor the temperature conditions. Do not place unfrozen soups or hot foods in the refrigerator. Excess steam turns into a huge amount of condensate, which the tray may not be able to handle physically, which will lead to leaks. Correct loading products are also important: do not block the air flow at the back wall.
When a part needs to be replaced
There are times when cleaning and adjustment do not help. If the pan has deep cracks, is deformed or has lost its seal at the connection points with the tubes, it must be replaced. Operating a refrigerator with a damaged tray is dangerous: water getting on electrical contacts or the motor can cause a short circuit or metal corrosion.
To replace it, you will need a new part. Look for it by the catalog number of your refrigerator Atlant. The number is usually located on a sticker inside the camera or on the back wall. When ordering, pay attention to compatibility, since the shape of the trays in different series (for example, 338, 442, 622) may differ significantly.
The replacement process is similar to removal: get to the compressor area, remove the old element, move the drain tube to the new tray and install it in place. Make sure that the tube fits tightly into the tray and will not come off when the motor vibrates. After installation, check the operation of the system by pouring a little water into the drainage hole inside the chamber.
Is it possible to operate a refrigerator without a tray?
For a short time - yes, if you put an absorbent rag, but you can’t do this all the time. Water will drip directly onto the hot compressor, causing sudden changes in metal temperature, corrosion and the risk of shorting the wiring. In addition, constant humidity under the refrigerator will lead to deterioration of the floor covering and the appearance of mold.
Why is the tray full, but the water does not evaporate?
This can happen for three reasons: too high humidity in the room (especially in summer), a malfunction of the compressor (it does not heat up strongly enough) or overflow due to the fact that a lot of wet water was placed in the chamber products. It is also possible that the tray is too far from the heat source.
How can you tell that the tray is cracked if it is not visible?
An indirect sign is a constant puddle under the refrigerator, which appears even after thorough defrosting and cleaning the drainage. There may also be rust on the compressor casing or corrosion stains on the floor in the engine area. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by visual examination.
How to wash the tray to avoid odor?
It is best to use warm water with the addition of baking soda, vinegar or a weak solution of chlorhexidine. These products effectively remove fatty deposits and kill odor-causing bacteria. It is better not to use chemicals with a strong fragrance so that the smell is not transferred to the products.