Situations when it is necessary to completely turn off an electrical appliance regularly arise among owners of household appliances. This could be scheduled cleaning, moving, a long absence of owners, or the need to defrost the No Frost system. Refrigerators Gorenje are known for their reliability, but even they require a certain algorithm of actions to be followed when turning off so that the compressor and electronics remain in good working order for years.
Incorrect shutdown can lead to an unpleasant odor, damage to the seals, or even breakdown of the compressor when restarted. In this article, we will look at all the nuances: from removing the plug from the socket to preserving equipment for long periods of inactivity. Following the procedure is critical to maintaining the warranty and service life of the unit.
Before you begin manipulating the power supply, you must empty the chambers of food. This is an obvious but often overlooked step. If you plan to defrost, it is better to transfer the food to a cold place or use thermal containers with ice to keep them fresh during the procedure.
Correct sequence of unplugging
The first thing to do is unplug the plug from the socket. However, many users make the mistake of pulling the wire. You only need to grab the plug body, otherwise you can damage the internal contacts or the cable itself. For models with electronic control, it is important to wait until the display goes completely dark after removing the cord.
If your refrigerator Gorenje is connected through a surge protector or stabilizer, first turn off the button on the filter itself, and only then remove the plug. This is especially true for models with inverter compressors, which are sensitive to power surges when the circuit breaks.
⚠️ Attention: Never turn off the refrigerator by simply unplugging the cord from the outlet under load if the indicators of active compressor operation are on on the panel. Give the equipment a couple of minutes of rest or wait for a pause in operation, if possible, to avoid sparking the relay contacts.
After a physical disconnection from electricity, do not rush to immediately open the defrosting doors unless there is an urgent need. Allow the electronics reset residual charge for 1-2 minutes. This is especially important for modern models with “smart” control systems, such as IonAir or MultiFlow.
Defrosting process: manual and automatic systems
Refrigerators Gorenje can be equipped with two types of defrosting systems: drip (for the refrigerator) and manual (for the freezer), or a complete system No Frost. Understanding your model type will determine your next steps. In a drip system, moisture flows down the back wall into a special trench, from where it evaporates, but the freezer often has to be defrosted manually.
If you have a model with a manual freezer defrost, open the doors and leave them in that position. To speed up the process, you can put a container with hot water inside, but not boiling water. Use of hair dryers or heating devices is strictly prohibited, since a sharp temperature change can damage the plastic box and evaporator tubes.
- ❄️ Place wide flat containers to collect melting water to prevent flood the floor.
- 🧹 Prepare a soft rag in advance for wiping the shelves and walls of the chamber.
- 🚫 Do not use sharp objects (knives, screwdrivers) to chip ice - there is a high risk of breaking through the circuit.
In models with the system No Frost ice does not accumulate, but once every year and a half it is recommended to carry out a preventive shutdown for washing. In this case, it is enough to simply turn off the device, wash it and turn it on again after the allotted time.
☑️ Checklist before defrosting
Washing and treating the internal chambers
While the refrigerator is defrosted, it’s time to do some general cleaning. To wash internal surfaces, use warm water with the addition of a mild detergent or soda. Aggressive chemistry and abrasive powders can damage the coating of shelves and plastic elements.
Pay special attention to the rubber seals on the doors. Dirt and mold often accumulate in folds, which become a source of unpleasant odors. Wipe them with a cotton pad soaked in a weak vinegar solution or a special rubber care product.
| Cleaning area | What to wash | What not to do | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal walls | Soda solution or soft SMS | Chlorine, abrasives | When defrosting |
| Seals | Warm water, vinegar | Oils, solvents | Once every 3 months |
| Shelves and drawers | Warm water | Steep boiling water | When defrosting |
| Outer body | Special product for stainless steel | Hard sponges | Once a week |
After washing, be sure to wipe all surfaces dry. The remaining moisture when closing the doors will create an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. Let the chambers dry completely, leaving them open for 15-20 minutes.
Preparation for transportation or long-term storage
If you turn off the refrigerator Gorenje for transportation to another house or country house, the rules change. The main danger during transportation is the leakage of compressor oil into the system circuit. To avoid this, the refrigerator must stand in a vertical position after switching off for at least 2-4 hours, and preferably a day.
Before transportation, you must lock the doors. Use masking tape or special transport bolts, if they are still available. It is better to glue the tape onto a paper baseto avoid leaving traces of glue on a glossy surface or stainless steel.
⚠️ Attention: When transporting in a horizontal position (which is extremely undesirable) the angle of inclination should not exceed 40 degrees. If you had to transport it lying down, after installing it in place, turn on the device no earlier than 12-24 hours later, so that the oil flows back into the compressor crankcase.
For long-term storage without operation (for example, at the dacha in winter), the refrigerator must be washed, dried and the doors left opened 2-3 cm. This will ensure air circulation and prevent the appearance of mold and musty smell inside the chambers.
Can the refrigerator be stored in the cold?
Storing the refrigerator at temperatures below +5°C is not recommended. Plastic parts become brittle and the lubricant in the compressor thickens. If cold storage is unavoidable, wrap the unit in thick fabric and let it warm to room temperature (at least 24 hours) before turning it on.
Typical mistakes when turning off equipment
Many users consider the shutdown process trivial, but statistics from service centers indicate the opposite. One of the common mistakes is immediate restart. If you turn off the refrigerator and then decide to turn it on again a minute later, the compressor may not start or may burn out. The electronics blocks the start for 5-10 minutes to equalize the pressure in the system.
Another mistake is leaving the doors closed in the off state for a long time. Condensation quickly forms inside, which leads to corrosion of metal parts and the appearance of fungus. Always leave a gap for ventilation if the device is not working.
- 🔌 Trying to turn on the device with wet hands or a damp fork.
- 🧊 Speeding up defrosting using a hair dryer or hot heating pad.
- 🚪 Closing dirty or wet storage doors.
Ignoring the operating instructions for a specific model Gorenje can also lead to a problem. Different series may have their own characteristics, for example, the location of the drain hole or the type of refrigerant.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How long should you wait before turning on the refrigerator after defrosting?
After defrosting is completed, washing and drying the chambers, it is recommended to wait another 1-2 hours before inclusion in the network. This ensures that all internal components are completely dry and warmed up to room temperature, which will reduce the load on the compressor when starting.
Is it dangerous to turn off the Burning refrigerator at night?
Short-term shutdowns at night do not pose a critical danger to the equipment, but also do not provide significant savings, since when turned on again, the refrigerator will work harder to restore temperature. In addition, this may disrupt the food storage mode.
What to do if after turning on the refrigerator does not freeze?
If after turning on the indicators are on, but there is no cold for 2-4 hours, check the tightness of the doors and the position of the thermostat. If the problem persists for more than 6 hours, there may have been damage during defrosting or an electronics failure - a call to a technician is required.
Do the seals need to be lubricated after shutdown?
Yes, after washing and drying, it is advisable to wipe the rubber seals with a special rubber care product or silicone grease. This will preserve their elasticity, especially if the refrigerator is turned off for a long time, and will prevent cracking.
Is it possible to transport the Gorenje refrigerator sideways?
Manufacturers recommend transporting it only vertically. Transportation sideways is possible only in extreme cases and over short distances, strictly on the side opposite to the exit of the tubes from the compressor (usually the left side when viewed from the rear, but it is better to check in the manual of the specific model). After such transportation, you need at least 12-24 hours of rest.