Modern household appliances, such as Aristonare often equipped with sophisticated electronics that allow flexible control of temperature conditions. However, in some situations it becomes necessary to completely disable the freezerleaving the refrigeration compartment to operate normally. This may be required for planned defrosting, long-term storage of vegetables that do not tolerate low temperatures, or during vacation when the freezer is not needed.
Equipment owners are faced with different design solutions: from mechanical switches to touch control panels. It is important to understand that physically disconnecting the compressor or cutting the wires is unacceptable and will lead to breakdown. Deactivation process should occur exclusively by software through the control panel or by natural way of increasing the temperature when the operation stops.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithms of action for various series of refrigerators Ariston. You will learn how to correctly switch the appliance to the “vacation” or “refrigerator only” mode, as well as what operating nuances exist when the freezer compartment is idle for a long time. Following the instructions will extend the service life compressors and maintain cooling efficiency.
Electronics capabilities and operating modes
Refrigerators Ariston (often labeled as Indesit or those included in the concern Whirlpool) have different management architectures. Most modern models use a No Frost or Frost Freesystem, where the evaporator is hidden and the air circulates forcibly. It is not possible to programmatically turn off only the freezer in all models, since they often operate from the same compressor.
If your model is equipped with a display and temperature control buttons, it is worth looking for special modes. Engineers have included a Holiday function, which usually turns off the refrigerator compartment, but in some advanced models with two compressors allows you to isolate the freezer compartment. In devices with one motor, complete shutdown of the freezer is possible only by setting the maximum temperature or completely turning off the device.
⚠️ Attention: In models with one compressor and system Full No Frost it is impossible to completely stop the cooling of the freezer while the refrigerator is running. Air circulates through both circuits.
To accurately determine the capabilities of your model Ariston you must refer to the technical documentation. There are often indicators on the front panel indicating the operating mode. If you see a snowflake icon or numbers indicating sub-zero temperatures, the freezer is active. An attempt to “deceive” the sensors with adhesive tape or tape will lead to incorrect operation thermostat and damage to food in the main compartment.
Step-by-step instructions: software shutdown
Before starting any manipulations, make sure that the refrigerator is connected to the network and is in working order condition. The instructions are relevant for models with electronic control. If you have a mechanical regulator (knob), you won’t be able to programmatically separate the cameras - you’ll have to defrost the entire device.
Algorithm of actions for models with a display:
- 🔹 Press the “Menu” or “Mode” button to enter mode settings.
- 🔹 Look for the “Freezer Off” item (Freezer off) or “Single Door”.
- 🔹 If there is no such item, try setting the temperature in the freezer to the maximum value (usually -6°C or “Max”).
- 🔹 Confirm the selection with the “OK” button or hold the setting button for 3-5 seconds.
☑️ Check before shutting down
After executing the commands, the device will need time (from 2 to 6 hours) to stabilize the new temperature regime. During this period compressor he can work more intensely or, conversely, take long pauses. Do not open the doors frequently during the resetting process so as not to disturb the sensors.
Mechanical control and thermostats
In older or budget series Ariston control is carried out by a mechanical thermostat. This is a round regulator with numbers from 1 to 5 or 7. In such systems, the refrigerant passes through both compartments, and it is impossible to separate them programmatically. The only way to “turn off” the freezer is to stop maintaining a low temperature in it.
To do this you need to:
- Unscrew the temperature regulator to the “Min” or “1” position.
- If there is one regulator for both compartments, the temperature will rise in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
- Leave the freezer door slightly open (if the seal design allows) so that the warm air from the room equalizes the temperature.
This method is not standard and requires constant monitoring. Temperature gradient can lead to the formation of condensation on the products in the main chamber. In addition, the compressor will turn on more often, trying to cool the main compartment while heat from outside is entering the freezer.
| Control type | Separate shutdown option | Recommended method | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic (two compressors) | Full | Settings menu | Minimum |
| Electronic (one compressor) | Partial (only increasing t°) | Max t° setting | Instability in the main chamber |
| Mechanical | Absent | Adjusting the thermostat | Icing, motor overload |
Using the “Holiday” mode
Many users confuse the “Vacation” mode with the ability to turn off the freezer. In refrigerators Ariston the function Holiday is most often intended to have the opposite effect: it maintains a minimum temperature (about +12...+15°C) in refrigerator compartmentto prevent the appearance of mold and odor, while the freezer continues to operate as normal.
However, in some premium models with a freshness zone, the algorithm may differ. If your goal is to go away for a month and leave some supplies in the freezer and free up the refrigerator compartment, then the Vacation mode is ideal. But if you need to store vegetables in the main compartment and turn off the freezer, this mode will not help.
⚠️ Attention: Activating the “Vacation” mode without first cleaning the refrigerator compartment will lead to souring of food residues and the appearance of a persistent unpleasant odor after 2-3 weeks.
Check the instructions for your specific models Ariston. If the mode description Holiday says that it only turns off the refrigerator compartment, then it is not suitable for your tasks. Look for functions with names like “Eco Freezer” or “Soft Freeze.”
Physical defrosting and care
If software methods are not available and it is necessary to turn off the freezer (for example, for defrosting or repair), the only safe way is to completely stop the appliance. This is a standard procedure that manufacturers recommend to carry out at least 1-2 times a year.
Procedure:
- 🧊 Disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply (unplug the plug from the outlet).
- 🧊 Remove all food from the freezer and refrigerator cameras.
- 🧊 Open the doors and leave the device for 10-24 hours (depending on the thickness of the ice).
- 🧊 Place towels or install containers to collect melt water.
After the ice has melted, thoroughly wipe the internal surfaces. For disinfection, you can use a weak soda solution or a special care product. Do not use abrasive powders or sharp objects to chip ice - this will damage the evaporator. refrigeration equipment. Do not use abrasive powders or sharp objects to chip ice as this will damage the evaporator.
Why should you not chip ice with a knife?
Using a knife or screwdriver to remove ice is strictly prohibited. Refrigerant tubes run through the walls of the freezer. One awkward movement will lead to a puncture, freon leak and expensive repairs, which are often not economically feasible.
After defrosting and drying is complete, plug in the empty refrigerator. Let it work for 1-2 hours without load so that the temperature regime is formed, and only then load the food.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
Users often make mistakes trying to “cunningly” turn off part of the refrigerator. For example, sealing the temperature sensor in the freezer with electrical tape. This leads to thermostat thinking that the chamber is warm and causes the compressor to work continuously. As a result, food freezes in the refrigerator compartment and the motor overheats.
Another mistake is frequently opening the doors to allow freezing. This creates high humidity in the room, which can lead to corrosion of the metal parts of the case on the outside and condensation inside the electronics. If you see that the refrigerator Ariston does not hold the temperature after trying to set it up, the calibrations may have gone wrong.
⚠️ Attention: If after changing the settings the refrigerator makes extraneous sounds (gurgling, clicking) for more than 20 minutes, return the settings to the factory values. It is possible that the incorrect mode has been selected for the current environmental conditions.
When in doubt, it is always better to leave the equipment in the standard operating mode. Modern refrigerators are energy efficient, and keeping an empty freezer at -18°C will not cause critical damage to the budget, unlike the consequences of improper operation.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to turn off the freezer in the Ariston No Frost refrigerator, leaving the refrigerator running?
In most models Ariston No Frost with one compressor, completely turn off the freezer, leaving the cold in the main chamber, impossible. Cold air is generated in the freezer and distributed by a fan. If you stop cooling there, heat will flow into the refrigerator compartment. The exception is expensive models with two compressors.
What happens if you just pull out the power cord?
This is the only way to completely stop all processes. However, this will cause the food to defrost. If the goal is to save electricity when the freezer is empty, it is more profitable to leave it turned on (the consumption of the empty chamber is minimal) than to defrost and cool it again.
How to switch the freezer to refrigerator mode?
It is impossible to fully convert it due to design features (different temperature ranges and shelf materials). But you can set the temperature -1°C...-3°C through the electronic menu if the model allows fine tuning. Shelves can become fragile at such temperatures.
The alarm indicator lights up after the freezer is turned off, what should I do?
The indicator lights up because the temperature in the chamber is higher than normal. If you did this intentionally (for example, to store watermelons at -2°C), ignore the signal. After a few hours, when the temperature stabilizes at a new level, the alarm may go off or continue to blink, reminding that the mode is different from the standard -18°C.