Owners of refrigerators Indesit are often faced with the need to temporarily stop the operation of the lower chamber. This may be required for high-quality defrosting, eliminating unpleasant odors, or in the event of a breakdown of one of the evaporators, when you need to store food in the main compartment. Understanding how to turn off the freezeris a key skill for proper care of equipment.
It is worth immediately noting an important technical nuance. In most classic two-chamber models Indesit with a drip defrosting system it is used one compressor for both compartments. This means that it is impossible to physically turn off the cold supply only to the lower chamber, leaving the upper one operating at full power, using standard controls. However, there are workarounds and specific modes, which we will talk about later.
The situation changes dramatically if you have a modern model with a system No Frost or technology Twin Cooling. In such devices, separate fans or even a second compressor may be responsible for air circulation and the operation of evaporators. The algorithm of actions will depend on the type of your unit. Below we will analyze all possible scenarios, starting with determining the type of your equipment.
Determining the type of Indesit cooling system
Before you begin any manipulations with the control panel or electrical part, you must clearly identify the model of your refrigerator. This determines whether you can programmatically separate the cold flows or whether you will have to resort to mechanical methods. Look at the technical data sheet or sticker inside the chamber.
If the model name or function description mentions Full No Frost, this means that an automatic air defrost system has been implemented in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments. These models often allow you to independently adjust the temperature. If you see on the back wall of the main chamber a plastic box or channels through which water flows, and a “fur coat” freezes in the freezer, then you have a classic drip system.
- 🧊 Drip system: one cooling circuit, it is impossible to separate the operation of the chambers programmatically, they depend on each other.
- ❄️ No Frost (full): possibility of independent settings temperature conditions in each compartment through an electronic module.
- ⚙️ Hybrid system: drip refrigerator, freezer - No Frost, control is often general, but there are nuances.
Determination of the type of system is critically important, since Incorrect operation of the electronics may result in a factory reset. If you are not sure about the characteristics of your model Indesit, it is better to find the exact marking on the nameplate, usually located inside the refrigerator compartment on the side wall.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to programmatically “separate” the circuits in models with one compressor and mechanical control is impossible. Do not try to disassemble the thermostat without special knowledge.
Using the Holiday function in electronic models
For owners of refrigerators Indesit with electronic control and display, there is a normal mode that partially solves the problem of insulating the freezer compartment. It is called "Vacation" or Holiday Mode. This mode is designed specifically for situations when you are leaving for a long time and want to leave only the freezer on, turning off the main department.
Although there is no direct function to “turn off only the freezer”, the “Vacation” mode allows you to minimize energy consumption and compressor operation, maintaining a temperature in the refrigerator compartment of about +12...+15°C, which prevents the appearance of mold, but does not allow storing perishable foods. At this time, the freezer continues to operate normally.
To activate this function, you need to find a button on the control panel with the image of a palm tree or the inscription Holiday. Pressing this button puts the refrigerator into economy mode. Please note that in some advanced models with two compressors (which is rare for the budget segment Indesit, but possible in premium lines), you can set the temperature independently.
It is important to understand the difference: the “Vacation” mode does not turn off the freezer, it, on the contrary, isolates the operation of the refrigerator compartment, leaving the freezer active. If your goal is to defrost the bottom compartment, this mode will not help you directly, but it is useful for understanding the logic of the electronics of your device.
Mechanical shutdown through a thermostat
In classic models Indesit with mechanical temperature control, a thermostat is used. This is a device that closes and opens the electrical circuit of the compressor depending on the temperature in the evaporator. Usually the regulator is located inside the refrigeration chamber or outside on top.
Turning the thermostat knob to position "0" or "Off" leads to complete shutdown of the compressor. At this moment, the both cameras stop working. This is the only safe way to stop the circulation of refrigerant for defrosting. Attempts to jam the regulator contacts so that only one chamber works are doomed to failure due to a single circuit.
There is a myth that you can seal the temperature sensor (thermal bulb) with tape or heat it with a hairdryer in order to “deceive” the refrigerator and make it think that the chamber is warm while it is cold there. Do this strongly not recommended. Such actions lead to incorrect operation of the compressor, its overheating and possible failure of the motor.
☑️ Safe defrosting
If your goal is defrosting, then completely shutting off by turning the regulator to zero or pulling the plug from the socket is the only correct solution. After the ice has melted and you turn the refrigerator back on, let it work for 2-3 hours without loading food to gain operating temperature.
Features of models with the No Frost system
Refrigerators Indesit with the system No Frost are more complex. In them, cold air is pumped by fans through special channels. In such models you can often find separate temperature control for the upper and lower compartments, even if there is only one compressor.
To control the temperature in the freezer compartment of such models, a panel with a digital display is used. You can increase the freezer temperature to the maximum setting (usually -6°C or -9°C), which will effectively stop the deep freeze, but will not turn the freezer off completely. This can be useful for softening the ice before cleaning.
| Parameter | Standard mode | Defrost/Cleaning mode | Vacation mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature freezers | -18°C ... -24°C | Power off | -18°C (working) |
| Refrigerator temperature | +4°C ... +5°C | Power off | +12°C ... +15°C |
| Compressor operation | Cyclic | Stopped | Rare starts |
Some users try to use the function Super Freeze (Super Freeze) in the reverse order, but this only strengthens the work of the compressor. To turn off the freezer in No Frost models without completely turning off the device, standard means are usually not provided, since this will upset the pressure balance in the system.
⚠️ Attention: In No Frost models, sharp objects cannot be used to chip ice. Damage to the evaporator will lead to freon leakage and expensive repairs.
Emergency shutdown and fault diagnosis
There are situations when the freezer needs to be turned off emergencyly - for example, if it has stopped freezing, but is humming, or, conversely, it freezes too much, freezing food in the refrigerator compartment. In the first case, the problem may be a freon leak or a compressor malfunction.
If the refrigerator Indesit has a two-chamber and has stopped cooling in the freezer, but there is cold in the refrigerator compartment, this often indicates a problem with refrigerant circulation or a clogged capillary tube. In such cases, you can only “turn off” the freezer physically by removing the plug from the network, since operating the equipment in this mode is harmful to the compressor.
Fault diagnosis requires care. Check if the alarm indicator (red flashing light) is on. If it is constantly on, it means that the temperature in the chamber is higher than normal. If you hear clicks, but the compressor does not start, the start relay may have burned out.
Signs of a compressor malfunction
The compressor hums, but does not start (clicks). The motor gets very hot at the bottom. The refrigerator does not reach temperature during the day. In these cases, you need to call a technician rather than try to repair it yourself.
It is important not to ignore the signs of breakdown. If your freezer doesn't hold its temperature, food can go bad, and trying to "fix" it by constantly manually adjusting the thermostat will only add to the wear and tear on the engine. In case of serious failures, it is better to contact a service center.
Rules for safe defrosting of the freezer
Proper defrosting is the best way to “turn off” the freezer for servicing. For two-chamber refrigerators Indesit it is recommended to carry out this procedure at least once a year, even if the No Frost system is declared (for hygienic cleaning).
Start by turning off the power. Remove the plug from the outlet. This is the most reliable way to ensure that the compressor does not turn on during your manipulations. Open the doors of all chambers and remove the food. If possible, put them in basins with ice or in a nearby working refrigerator.
- 🧼 Preparation: cover the floor in front of the refrigerator with towels or absorbent diapers, as there will be a lot of water.
- 🚿 Acceleration: you can place bowls with warm (not hot!) water inside the chamber to speed up melting ice.
- 🚫 Prohibition: never use a hair dryer, hot water with a watering can or a knife to break off ice - this will damage the plastic and tubes.
After all the ice has melted, thoroughly wipe the insides of the chamber dry cloth. Let the refrigerator sit open for about 30 minutes to allow the smell to dissipate. Only after this can you plug in the device. The full cooling cycle to operating temperatures will take about 2-4 hours.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to unscrew the thermostat so that only the refrigerator compartment works?
No, in two-chamber refrigerators Indesit with one compressor this is not possible. The thermostat controls the activation of the compressor for the entire system. If you turn it to minimum, the compressor will stop turning on, and the heat will become in all chambers.
Why does the Indesit freezer not freeze, but hums?
This may indicate that the compressor is running idle due to a freon leak or a clogged system. It is also possible that the start relay may fail. Diagnostics by a technician is required.
How long to defrost the freezer?
It is recommended to leave the refrigerator turned off with the doors open for at least 12-24 hours. This will allow moisture to completely evaporate from hard-to-reach places and channels of the No Frost system.
Is it harmful to turn off the refrigerator frequently?
Sharp temperature changes and frequent on/off cycles are harmful to the compressor. Planned defrosting should be carried out 1-2 times a year, but not more often.