A change in the kitchen layout or simply a desire to make the use of household appliances more convenient often leads to the need to change the opening direction of the refrigerator door. For equipment owners Ariston Hotpoint this procedure is standard and is provided for by the design of most modern models. Unlike old Soviet units, which required brute force and drilling new holes, modern Italian engineers have included the ability to quickly remount in the basic package.
It is important to understand that before starting any manipulations, you must clearly understand the structure of your unit. Models may differ in the presence of additional functions, such as a display on the facade or a system No Frost, which makes adjustments to the process. However, the general principle remains the same: dismantling the old fasteners, moving the hinges and handles to the opposite side and reassembling.
Despite the apparent simplicity, haste is unacceptable here. The refrigerator door is a heavy element, and the hinges are under load. Improper dismantling can lead to damage to the decorative panels or even deformation of the housing. In this article we will analyze each stage in detail so that you can perform the work efficiently and safely for your own Ariston Hotpoint.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
The success of the operation depends 90% on proper preparation. You don't need complex professional tools, but having everything you need on hand will greatly speed up the process. The main requirement is cleanliness and order, since small parts can easily be lost during work.
To complete the task you will need:
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) - the main tool for removing fittings.
- 🔩 A wrench or 8-10 mm socket - for bolts attaching hinges.
- 🧤 Construction gloves - to avoid injuring your hands on sharp metal edges.
- 📦 Container for small parts - a box lid or a magnetic tray.
The first thing to do is to free up space in front of the refrigerator. You will need access to the unit from all sides, as the door will have to be set aside. Remove the rug, move the chairs away, and make sure the floor is level and clean.
A critical step is to turn off the power. Unplug the cord from the outlet. This is not only a safety issue, but also a necessity: when the door is open, the light in the chamber can burn for a long time, heating the interior space, and in some models an overheating alarm may sound.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to carry out work on rehanging the door while the refrigerator is plugged in. This may lead to a short circuit if the sensor wiring is accidentally damaged.
Empty the door shelves in advance. Glass balcony shelves significantly make the structure heavier and can fall out when the door is tilted. It is better to remove them in advance to reduce the load on the hinges at the time of dismantling.
Dismantling the upper part and removing the door
The process begins with the upper hinge, since it is this that holds the main weight of the door leaf. In models Ariston Hotpoint the upper loop is often hidden under a decorative plug. Carefully pry up the plastic cover with a flathead screwdriver or your fingernail and remove it.
Under the cover you will see mounting bolts. Before unscrewing them, make sure that the door is securely locked. Ideally, you need an assistant to hold the door. If you are working alone, you can use a wedge or stand under the bottom of the door, but this is risky due to possible displacement.
Unscrew the bolts of the top hinge and remove the hinge itself. Now you can carefully lift the door by removing it from the bottom pin hinge. Place the door in a safe place, placing a soft cloth or cardboard under it to avoid scratching the enamel.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the door, watch the wires if the cable for indicators or display is connected to the handle. A sharp jerk can break the contacts.
It is better to place the removed door on the floor horizontally with the outer side down, having previously covered the surface with a soft rag. This will prevent accidental falls and make it easier to access the places where handles and plugs are attached.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
Moving fittings and plugs
The most painstaking part of the work is rearranging controls and decor. There will be holes on the free side of the door (where the handle used to be). They must be closed with special plugs, which usually come with the refrigerator.
If you don’t find a bag with plugs, don’t despair. In most models Ariston Hotpoint spare plugs are already installed on the opposite side of the door, where the working holes are now located. You just need to move them.
The door handle also needs to be moved. To do this, unscrew the screws securing it from the inside (usually they are accessible after removing the decorative trim or through the holes for the plugs). Install the handle on the new side and tighten the fasteners securely.
Don't forget about the plastic bushings and pins. The bottom hinge often has a pin that fits into the door body. It needs to be moved to a symmetrical hole on the other side. This often requires force or light tapping.
What to do if the plugs are lost?
If the factory plugs are lost, the holes can be closed with decorative furniture plugs of a suitable diameter and color, purchased at a hardware store. The main thing is to ensure tightness so that moisture does not get inside the door insulation.
Installing the bottom hinge and installing the door
Now we move on to the bottom of the refrigerator. The lower support loop is located here. It must be dismantled from the current side and moved to the opposite side. To do this, unscrew the fastening bolts from the bottom of the case.
An important point: in some models there may be an adjusting screw or washers under the bottom hinge. Remember their position or take a photo before removing them. Install the hinge in a new place, aligning the holes, and tighten the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet.
Install the door on the lower hinge, hitting the pin with the hole. While holding the door, make sure it is level. Now is the time to work on the top loop. Place it in place, align the holes and insert the mounting bolts.
Tighten the bolts consistently and evenly. First, lightly grab the top loop, then finally tighten the bottom one, and only then screw the top fastener all the way. This will ensure correct load distribution.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Dismantling and transfer | Key on 8-10 mm |
| Bottom hinge | Reposition to the other side | Phillips screwdriver |
| Door handle | Removal and installation | Hexagon or screwdriver |
| Plugs | Repositioning into free holes | Tweezers or knife |
Adjusting the tightness and gaps
After When installing a door on a new side, a situation often arises when it does not fit tightly or is skewed. This is normal, since the hinges may not have fit perfectly the first time. Adjustment is a mandatory step to ensure the tightness of the chamber.
Check the gaps around the perimeter of the door. They should be the same on top and bottom. If the door is skewed, loosen the top hinge and, slightly moving the door to the left or right, achieve a level position. Then tighten the bolts again.
Pay special attention to the magnetic seal. Run your hand along the perimeter - the fit should be uniform. If the door moves away in some place, the height of the lower support of the refrigerator itself may need to be adjusted.
To check the tightness, use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Squeeze the sheet with the door and try to pull it out. If the paper is pulled out with noticeable force around the entire perimeter, the seal is good. If the sheet falls freely, further adjustment of the hinges is necessary.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use excessive force when tightening the hinge bolts. An aluminum case or plastic thread may not withstand tightening, which will lead to thread failure.
If the model is equipped with a system No Frost, make sure that after rehanging the door closes completely and does not block the air flow. Failure to close tightly will result in ice freezing and system failure.
Features of models with a display and electronics
Owners of advanced models Ariston Hotpoint with a display on the door need to be careful. In such refrigerators, a cable of wires goes to the handle or top of the door. You can’t just remove the door - you must first disconnect the connector.
Usually the connector is located under the top decorative hinge cover. When you remove the cover, you will see a plastic connector. It must be carefully snapped off by pulling the latch, and not the wires themselves. Remember or photograph the position of the contacts before disconnecting.
When reassembling on the new side, make sure that the wiring is not pinched by the metal elements of the loop. The wires must lie in the provided channels. If the cable length is not enough for comfortable operation, an extension may be required, but in original models the length is usually calculated with a margin.
After connecting, check the operation of the display. If the screen does not light up, check the tightness of the cable connection. Sometimes the contacts become oxidized or dirty, and they need to be wiped with alcohol.
Final check and startup of the refrigerator
When all mechanical work is completed, conduct a visual inspection. Are all plugs installed? Is the handle level? Are there any gaps between the body and the door? Make sure that there are no tools or forgotten parts left in the chamber.
Now you can plug in the refrigerator. Let it run for 10-15 minutes without loading food. Listen to how the compressor works, to see if there are any extraneous sounds that could appear due to door misalignment (for example, body vibration).
Check the operation of the light bulb. The door should open the contact when closed and the light should go out. If the light continues to light when the door is closed, it means that the pressing mechanism does not work due to incorrect adjustment.
A full load of food is possible only after the refrigerator reaches the required temperature. This usually takes several hours. Do not place warm foods immediately after rehanging, so as not to disturb the temperature regime.
Do you need to call a specialist to rehang the door?
In most cases, calling a specialist is not required. The procedure is quite simple and takes about 30-40 minutes. A technician will only be needed if the bolts are rusty, the hinge is broken, or you are afraid of damaging the electronics of the model with a display.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built-in?
With built-in refrigerators Ariston Hotpoint the situation is more complicated. Often it is necessary to dismantle the facade of the kitchen unit. If you do not have experience working with furniture, it is better to entrust this task to professionals so as not to damage the kitchen cabinets.
What to do if after rehanging the door opens by itself?
This is a sign that the refrigerator is not level. The tilt should be slightly backward so that gravity forces the door to close. Adjust the height of the front support legs of the refrigerator.
Where to find the plugs if they are lost?
They can be glued with tape on the back wall of the refrigerator, in a niche for documents, or already installed on the non-working side of the door. You can also order them at a service center or pick up universal ones at a hardware store.