The situation when, after purchasing or rearranging furniture, it turns out that the refrigerator Biryusa would open more conveniently in the other direction, familiar to many owners. This is a standard procedure provided for by the design of most modern models, from compact single-chamber to large double-chamber units. Hanging a door is not just a whim, but often a necessity for the ergonomic use of kitchen space and ensuring free access to shelves.
This process is technically simple, but requires care, accuracy and a minimum set of tools. Improper execution can lead to damage to the seal, skewing of the blade or breakage of the handles. In this article we will analyze a detailed algorithm of actions that will allow you to independently change the opening side, maintaining the warranty and appearance of your refrigerator.
Before you begin, make sure that you understand the structure of your unit. Models Biryusa may have different types of hinge fastenings, hidden or visible screws, as well as different handle designs. Some modern series are equipped with electronics on the door, which makes adjustments to the dismantling process. If you are the owner of a standard mechanical model, the task is simplified significantly.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
To successfully complete the task of hanging doors, you do not need a professional arsenal of tools. In most cases, whatever is in every home craftsman's drawer is sufficient. The main requirement is that the tools must be in good working order so as not to tear off the slots on the screws and damage the decorative plugs.
The main tool will be a screwdriver. Most often, a Phillips screwdriver is required PH2, but some models may contain flat-head screws or even hexagons. If your refrigerator has bolted handles, you may need an open-end wrench or socket of the appropriate size. It would also be useful to have a knife with a thin blade for carefully removing decorative panels.
- 🔧 Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers (preferably with a magnetic tip).
- 🔩 A set of open-end wrenches or a socket with a wrench (size 8-10 mm).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges and grease.
- 🧹 Rags and container for folding fasteners.
Organizing the workspace is a critical stage. The refrigerator Biryusa is a heavy device, and its (stability) may be impaired when the hinges are removed. Clear space around the unit so that you can walk around it from all sides. Prepare in advance the place where you will put the removed parts so as not to lose small screws or plastic plugs.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Design features of doors of different Biryusa models
Refrigerators brands Biryusa have been produced for several decades, and during this time the design of their doors has undergone changes. Understanding your model type will help you avoid mistakes. Conventionally, all units can be divided into classic mechanical and modern models with electronic control or a display on the door.
In classic models, the hinges are simple metal brackets that are screwed to the body and door leaf. Everything here is as transparent as possible: unscrew it from the top and move it down. However, in newer series, such as Biryusa 133 or Biryusa 6there may be hidden loops or special decorative overlays that need to be removed in a certain sequence.
⚠️ Attention: If your door has a display, control panel or open/close button, you won’t be able to simply hang the door. It will be necessary to lengthen the wires or re-solder the contacts, which is a complex procedure that requires skills in working with electricians.
Particular attention should be paid to the No Frost system, if it is provided in your model. In such refrigerators, an air duct runs between the body and the door. When re-hanging the door, it will be necessary to rearrange the duct plugs so that cold air circulates correctly. Ignoring this stage will lead to inefficient operation of the refrigerator compartment.
Nuances of the No Frost system
In models with the No Frost system, plastic flaps or channels are often located on the inside of the door. When rehanging the door, they must be carefully dismantled and installed in symmetrical holes on the opposite side of the door leaf. Do not lose the rubber seals of these channels!
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling the upper door (refrigerator compartment)
The process always starts with the upper door, since it is supported on the upper hinges, which we have to rearrange. Before starting work, it is advisable to defrost the refrigerator and unplug it, although for mechanical re-hanging this is not always strictly necessary if you act quickly and carefully.
The first step is to remove the top decorative panel, if any. It can be secured with latches or screws. Underneath it you will find the top hinge fasteners. It is critically important before unscrewing the top hinge to fix the door in the open position or ask an assistant to hold itotherwise the heavy door leaf may fall and damage the floor or tear off the bottom hinge.
Using the appropriate tool, unscrew screws securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body. Remove the loop and set it aside. The top door can now be removed. Carefully lift it, removing the lower hinge pin (if the design requires it) or simply moving it to the side. Place the door on a prepared soft surface (such as a blanket or cardboard) to avoid scratching the coating.
- ❄️ Remove all products and shelves from the door to make the structure lighter.
- 🔓 Unscrew the top hinge, remembering to hold the door.
- 🚪 Remove the door and put it in a safe place.
- 🛠️ Remove the handle from the door if the design requires its rearrangement (usually the handles are symmetrical and require twisting).
After removing the door, start preparing the holes. There will be holes on the front side of the case where the hinge was previously. They need to be closed. The refrigerator usually comes with plastic plugs. Remove the plugs from the holes on the opposite side (where you will move them) and install them in the vacated holes. If there are no plugs, you can use a piece of plasticine or special stickers in the color of the body to hide the holes. Turkish Usually there are plastic plugs. Remove the plugs from the holes on the opposite side (where you will move them) and install them in the vacated holes. If there are no plugs, you can use a piece of plasticine or special stickers in the color of the case to hide the holes.
Re-hanging the bottom door (freezer)
The bottom door in two-chamber refrigerators Biryusa is usually more massive and heavier than the top. The principle of operation is similar, but there are some nuances. Often the bottom hinge is hidden under a decorative plinth or strip at the bottom of the refrigerator. This bar must be carefully removed by prying it with a knife or screwdriver.
After accessing the lower loop, the algorithm is repeated: unscrew the fasteners, remove the loop. When removing, be careful not to damage the magnetic tape. As in the case of the upper door, we close the holes on the old side with plugs, and on the new side we clear them for installing the hinge.
If your refrigerator has one common door for the freezer and refrigerator (small-sized models), then the process is simplified to working with one door, but the requirements for fixation during dismantling become even stricter due to the weight.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave a refrigerator without doors left open for a long time, especially if there are children or animals in the house. This may result in personal injury or foreign objects falling into the mechanism.
When repositioning the handle on the lower door, make sure you use the correct screws for that side. The length of the threaded part may vary depending on the thickness of the metal in different areas of the door leaf.
Assembly and adjustment of fit tightness
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. First, we install the bottom door (if it was removed), put it on the pin of the bottom hinge (which we previously moved to the new side) and screw the middle partition or hinge. Then we install the upper door and mount the upper hinge.
The key point is adjustment. Do not tighten the screws “all the way” right away. First, tighten all the screws, visually align the doors so that the gaps are symmetrical, and only then tighten the fasteners. The doors should close tightly, effortlessly, but with a characteristic pop when the final pressure is applied.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not fit tightly | Hinges are skewed or the seal is dirty | Loosen the screws, align the door, wash the seal |
| The door creaks | Metal friction or lack of lubrication | Lubricate hinges with silicone grease or machine oil |
| The gap between the doors | Incorrect installation of the middle hinge | Adjust the height of the middle hinge with the screws |
| The door bounces | The seal is too tight or skewed | Check the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself |
After final tightening of the screws, check the operation of the doors several times. They should open freely and be independently attracted by a magnet in the last sector of opening (usually 10-15 degrees before closing). If the door stands still and does not close on its own, the refrigerator may not be level.
Common mistakes and ways to eliminate them
Even following the instructions, beginners can make mistakes. One of the most common is the loss of hole plugs. If you have lost the standard plastic plugs, do not leave the holes open: moisture or dust can get in there, causing corrosion of the metal. Use any plastic dowel of suitable diameter or even a carefully cut, colored wine cork.
Another mistake is overtightening the screws. Aluminum alloys used in some parts Turquelsare soft. It is very easy to break the thread. Tighten the screws with moderate force. If the screw is tight, it is better to lubricate its threads than to press harder.
They also often forget about the level. After re-hanging the doors, be sure to check the position of the refrigerator. The legs should be twisted so that the body is slightly tilted back. This ensures that the doors close naturally under the influence of gravity.
⚠️ Attention: If, after rehanging, you notice that the door is touching the body or shelves inside, stop immediately. Continued operation in this condition will lead to damage to the seal and loss of tightness.
Do not forget about aesthetics. If there were decorative trims on the handles, make sure they are installed correctly on the new side. Sometimes you need to turn the handle itself over if it is asymmetrical.
What to do if the plugs for the holes are lost?
If the standard plugs are lost, you can order a universal set of furniture plugs at a hardware store, choosing the diameter and color. As a last resort, you can carefully seal the holes with a piece of self-adhesive film in the color of the refrigerator or use heat shrink.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen unit?
Technically it is possible, but extremely difficult. It will be necessary to completely dismantle the refrigerator from the niche, since removing the doors and manipulating the hinges requires access from all sides, including the ability to place the door on the floor. Built-in models often have their own nuances of fastening facades, which complicates the process.
Do you need to wait after rehanging before turning on?
No special waiting is required, since the compressor and freon system were not affected. However, if you heavily tilted or laid down the refrigerator during work, it is recommended to let it stand upright for 1-2 hours before turning it on, so that the oil in the compressor can drain into place.
Why does the Biryusa door close poorly after rehanging?
Most likely, the geometry of the installation is broken. Check whether the refrigerator is strictly vertical and plumb. Also check to see if the seal is sticking up in the corners. Sometimes it helps to lubricate the seal with silicone or boiling water (carefully!) to impart elasticity if it has been deformed during storage.