Modern refrigerators Atlant are reliable assistants in the kitchen, but sometimes situations arise when you need to change their standard operating mode. Owners of two-compartment models often wonder if it is possible to completely turn off the lower freezer compartment while leaving the upper refrigerator compartment running. Such a need may arise during a long departure, when there is nothing in the freezer, and the food in the main compartment needs to be kept fresh.
Technically, the design of most household refrigerators does not provide for complete and independent shutdown of the compressor for only one of the chambers without loss of cold in the entire unit. However, there are special operating modes design features that allow you to minimize the production of cold in the freezer compartment or use it as a heating cabinet. It is important to understand the difference between completely turning off the compressor and switching the chamber to “super-freeze” or “rest” mode.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithms of action for various series of equipment Atlant, explain the physics of the cooling process and provide safe ways to achieve the goal. You will learn how to properly set the thermostat, what the “Vacation” mode is and why you can’t just pull the cord out of the socket if you want to store food in the upper compartment.
Design features of two-chamber Atlant models
To competently manage temperature conditions, you need to understand the operating principle of your device. Most two-chamber refrigerators Atlant belong to the class of equipment with one compressor and two evaporators (or one common circuit). This means that the refrigerant circulates through the system, cooling first one chamber and then the other, or being distributed between them.
In such systems it is impossible to physically turn off supplying cold to the freezer compartment, leaving the compressor on to operate the refrigeration compartment. The cold is generated in a single circuit, and if the compressor stops, the temperature will begin to rise throughout the entire volume of the unit. The exception is expensive models with a system No Frost and two compressors, but in the line Atlant they are extremely rare.
However, the engineers have provided for the possibility of translation freezer to a mode close to ambient temperature, or, conversely, to maximum freezing. Control is carried out through mechanical thermostats or an electronic control panel, depending on the series of your refrigerator.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to mechanically interfere with the pipe system or damper to block the cold in the freezer will lead to irreversible damage to the compressor and loss of warranty. Use only standard controls.
Understanding the type of cooling system you have is the first step to proper setup. If you have a model with drip system defrosting, then the defrosting process occurs automatically, but regardless of the user’s wishes. In models with manual defrosting, temperature control lies entirely on the owner's shoulders.
Using the “Vacation” mode and its analogues
Many users are looking for a way to turn off the freezer when they go on vacation, so as not to defrost the unit completely and not leave it on wasted. For such cases, some models Atlant provide a special mode, often called “Vacation” or indicated by a suitcase symbol.
When this mode is activated, the refrigerator compartment switches to operation in economy mode, maintaining a temperature of about +15°C, which prevents the appearance of mold and unpleasant odors, but does not freeze food. At the same time, the freezer continues to work in normal mode, preserving frozen food. This is the opposite of what many people need, but it is important not to confuse the goals.
If your goal is to leave only the refrigerator on and “turn off” the freezer, then the “Vacation” mode will not be enough here, since it, as a rule, keeps the cold in the freezer. You will need to either completely defrost and turn off the appliance, or use tricks with setting the thermostat, which will be discussed below.
Electronic control allows you to more flexibly configure parameters, but it is also limited by the physics of operation of one compressor. In the instructions for models with electronics, you can often find warnings about the minimum possible temperature in the chambers under various external conditions.
Adjusting the mechanical thermostat
In refrigerators Atlant with mechanical control, the temperature is regulated by a rotary thermostat knob, which is usually located inside the refrigerator compartment or on the front panel. The division scale, as a rule, varies from 1 (minimum cold) to 7 (maximum cold).
To minimize the operation of the freezer, you need to set the regulator to the minimum power position (number 1 or Min). In this position, the compressor will turn on less often and the temperature in the freezer will rise. However, it will not become room temperature while the compressor for the upper compartment is running.
There is an important nuance: if you unscrew the thermostat knob to the “0” or “Off” position, the compressor will stop completely. In this case the temperature will rise in all chambers of the refrigerator. Food in the freezer will begin to melt, and food in the refrigerator compartment will begin to spoil. This is the only way to completely “turn off” the freezer without unplugging it from the network, but it makes the operation of the refrigerator compartment pointless.
For models with two thermostats (which is found in some old or specific series Atlant) the situation is different. Here you can control each camera independently. If this is your case, then moving the freezer handle to position “0” will turn it off while the refrigerator handle is working.
☑️ Setting up the mechanical regulator
Do not forget that when setting the minimum value on the thermostat, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment can rise above the safe +5...+7°C, especially in summer. Therefore, this method is only suitable for short-term use or storage of unpretentious products.
Setting up the electronic control panel
More modern models Atlant are equipped with an electronic control unit with a digital display. Here the adjustment is made with an accuracy of a degree. To switch to the minimum cooling mode of the freezer, you must use the temperature adjustment buttons.
Usually the panel has separate indicators or buttons for the refrigerator (Fridge) and freezer (Freezer) chambers. To “turn off” the freezer in the sense of stopping freezing, you need to increase the target temperature in it to the highest possible value that the interface allows (often this is -6°C or -10°C instead of the standard -18°C).
The function "Super Freeze" (Super Freeze) is available on some models. Paradoxically, its inclusion causes the compressor to work non-stop, severely freezing the chamber. We need the opposite. Therefore, make sure that the snowflake indicator or the Super Freeze inscription are not lit.
| Parameter | Standard mode | Minimum cold mode | Mode “Vacation” (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature in the freezer | -18°C | about -6...-10°C | -18°C (working) |
| Temperature in the refrigerator | +3...+5°C | +8...+10°C | +15°C |
| Electricity consumption | Average | Low | Minimum |
| Product safety | Long | Short-term | Empty unit only |
When setting up the electronic panel, it is important to remember the response delay. After changing parameters, the compressor may not immediately change operating mode. Give the equipment 30-40 minutes to stabilize the processes before rechecking the temperature.
⚠️ Attention: In models with electronic control, reset may occur due to a power surge. After turning on the light, check if the factory settings have returned, which will freeze the camera again.
Can the freezer be used as a thermal cabinet
A frequent question from users: is it possible to turn off the freezer in order to store vegetables or canned goods at above-zero temperatures? Theoretically, if you stop supplying cold, the temperature in the chamber will be equal to room temperature. But in a working refrigerator Atlant cold will still come in.
The only way to turn a freezer into a heating cabinet with a positive temperature is to completely turn off the refrigerator from the network. However, then the upper chamber will stop cooling. Some users try to seal the cold supply channels, but this is strictly prohibited interrupts the air circulation, which leads to breakdown.
If it is vital for you to store food in the freezer at temperatures above 0°C, and the refrigerator must work, this is technically impossible in the standard configuration of single-compressor models. A refrigerant cannot heat one chamber and cool another at the same time without a heat pump, which is not found in household refrigerators.
What will happen if you seal the cold supply openings?
If you block the channels through which cold air flows from the freezer to the refrigerator (or vice versa), the balance of pressure and temperatures will be disrupted. The compressor will work hard, trying to catch up with temperature, which will lead to overheating and failure. In addition, an ice plug may form in the overlap areas, which will have to be defrosted for 24 hours.
For storing vegetables, it is better to use the bottom drawers of the refrigerator, where there are special freshness zones with high humidity but positive temperatures.
Safe shutdown and defrosting
If your goal - completely defrost and turn off the freezer for cleaning or repair, you must perform the procedure correctly. First, empty the chambers of food. Then disconnect the device from the power supply.
Open the doors of both chambers. To speed up the process, you can place a container of warm water inside, but do not use hair dryers or heating devices - this will damage the plastic and seals. Wait until the ice has completely thawed.
After defrosting, wipe the internal surfaces with a soft cloth soaked in a weak soda solution. Let the refrigerator dry. If you plan to store it turned off, leave the doors slightly open.
Common mistakes when trying to turn off
Users often make mistakes trying to “deceive” the equipment. One of the common ones is to set the thermostat to minimum and wait for the freezer to become warm and the refrigerator to remain cold. In reality, with the minimum setting, the compressor rarely turns on, and the temperature rises everywhere; food in the refrigerator compartment can spoil.
Another mistake is using external timers to turn on/off the outlet. Cyclic switching on and off of the compressor without a pause (at least 10-15 minutes after stopping) leads to water hammer in the system and combustion of the motor. Compressor time is needed to equalize the freon pressure.
- 🚫 Error: Sealing the temperature sensor in refrigeration chamber so that the compressor thinks that it is warm there and does not turn on. Result: The refrigerator will not turn on at all if the sensor shows “warm”, or it will turn on constantly if you deceive it with cold, but this will break the logic of operation.
- 🚫 Error: An attempt to close the damper between the chambers. Result: Impaired circulation, ice formation in unintended places, damper failure.
- 🚫 Error: Frequent unplugging. Result: Failure of the compressor start relay.
The best way to solve the problem is to use the equipment for its intended purpose. If you need storage at different temperatures independently, consider purchasing a separate freezer or chest.
Why is it warm in the freezer, although the thermostat is at maximum?
If you turn the knob to maximum, but there is no cold, there are several possible reasons: a freon leak, a malfunction of the thermostat (it does not give a command to turn on), or a breakdown compressor. Also check that the drain is not clogged and that the door closes tightly. In No Frost models, the fan or defrost heating element may have failed.
Is it possible to store the Atlant refrigerator on the balcony in winter?
The manufacturer does not recommend operating the refrigerator at temperatures below +10°C and above +32°C. On an unheated balcony in winter, the oil in the compressor will thicken and the engine will burn out when starting. In the summer, in the sun, the refrigerator will overheat and wear out. The best place is a dry room at room temperature.
How long does the refrigerator keep cold when turned off?
In a working refrigerator, fully loaded with food Atlant the temperature remains within safe limits for up to 10-14 hours with the doors closed. An empty refrigerator loses cold faster - in 4-6 hours. The presence of a large amount of frozen products (“thermal inertia”) helps to keep the cold in the chamber longer.
What does the flashing Alarm indicator on the display mean?
A flashing alarm indicator (often red) signals an increase in the temperature in the freezer above the permissible norm. This can happen immediately after switching on, when loading a large amount of warm food, or when the door is not tightly closed. If the indicator is constantly on after stabilization of operation (after 24 hours), diagnostics of the master is required.