Changing the kitchen layout or simply the desire to optimize space often dictates new requirements for the location of household appliances. Owners of refrigerators Hotpoint Ariston are faced with the need to change the side of the door opening in order to provide convenient access to the shelves. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand provides the opportunity reversing the doors to the opposite side without complex professional equipment.
This process requires accuracy, a basic set of tools and a clear understanding of the sequence of actions. Improper dismantling can lead to damage to the seals or disruption of the geometry of the canvas, which will affect the tightness. In this article, we will analyze in detail how to safely perform various modifications on Hotpoint Ariston refrigerators. rearranging the doors on Hotpoint Ariston refrigerators of various modifications.
Preparation for work and the necessary tools
Before starting any manipulations with the refrigerator body, it is necessary to completely free the internal space. Food should be temporarily moved to another cold place, and all removable shelves, drawers and containers should be removed. This will not only make the design easier, but will also prevent glass or plastic from breaking when tilting the unit.
To work, you will need a standard home craftsman's kit. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm in size), which often comes with the refrigerator, or a set of screwdrivers. An 8 or 10 mm wrench will also come in handy, depending on the hinge model.
It is important to ensure a stable position technology. Since access to the bottom hinges may be difficult, it is recommended to tilt the refrigerator slightly backwards, leaning it on someone or securing it with stops. Do not forget that an empty refrigerator is lighter than a full one, but still has significant weight.
- 🛠️ A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) for removing handles and plugs.
- 🔧 Hex keys (4 mm, 5 mm) for unscrewing hinge bolts.
- 📏 A level or ruler to check the symmetry of the installation.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
The process starts with the top door if you have a two-chamber model. First you need to remove the decorative plug located on top of the door. It hides the fastening elements of the top hinge. Carefully pry up the plastic cover with a flat screwdriver or knife, being careful not to damage the paintwork of the case.
After removing the plug, you will have access to the bolts that secure it top hinge. They need to be unscrewed, but not completely removed yet, so that the hinge remains in place and holds the door. Then you should loosen the handle fasteners, if the design requires it, or immediately proceed to completely dismantling the hinge.
⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator door is heavy and can fall when the top hinge is completely unscrewed. Be sure to hold it with one hand or ask an assistant.
When the hinge bolts are unscrewed, carefully lift the door up, removing it from the lower pin (if there is one) or simply releasing it from its seat. Place the door in a safe place, placing it on a soft surface with the inside side up, so as not to damage sealing rubber.
☑️ Removing the top door
Working with the bottom door and intermediate strip
If your refrigerator is a two-chamber one, after removing the top door, you need to remove the middle decorative strip separating the freezer and refrigerator compartments. It is secured with latches or bolts, which become accessible after removing the top door. In some models Hotpoint Ariston this bar is part of the hinge design.
Next comes the turn of the lower door. The principle of operation is similar: remove the plug from the top (in this case, middle) hinge, unscrew the fastening bolts. Holding the door, remove it from the lower support sleeve. Pay special attention to the condition of the bushing - if it shows signs of severe wear, it is better to replace it or turn it the other way if the design is symmetrical.
Nuances of the design of the strips
In some models of Ariston refrigerators, the intermediate strip can be secured not only with bolts, but also with clamps that need to be snapped off. Be careful, the plastic on older models can be fragile.
After removing both doors, you will have a free refrigerator body in your hands. Now you need to prepare the holes on the opposite side. At the end of the case there are usually preserved holes closed with plastic plugs. They must be removed and moved to the vacant places on the working side.
- 🔩 Remove the plastic plugs from the back of the case.
- 🚪 Make sure that the threads in the new seats are intact.
- 🧹 Wipe the mounting points from dust before installing the hinges.
- 🔄 Check that all screws and washers are complete before assembly.
Rearranging handles and fittings
One of the most important steps is moving the handles. Depending on the model Hotpoint Ariston, the handles can be integrated (cutout in the body) or overhead. If you have overhead handles, they must be removed from the inside of the door and secured from the outside using the provided holes.
To dismantle the handle, you often need to remove the door itself from its hinges or gain access to the fasteners from the inside. The bolts can be hidden under decorative trims. Use a magnetic screwdriver to avoid dropping the fastener inside the door structure.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper handle | Transfer to the opposite side | Phillips screwdriver |
| Bottom handle | Transfer to the opposite side | Hex 4 mm |
| Plugs | Rearrangement to free holes | Tweezers or knife |
| Hinges | Dismantling and installation mirrored | Spanner 8-10 mm |
If the handles are made in the form of grooves (hidden type), then this stage is skipped. However, it is worth checking if there are any fingerprints or dirt on the old side of the opening that will now be visible. Wipe the surface with a mild detergent.
Installing hinges and hanging doors
Now we move on to reassembly, but with the other side. First, install the lower support sleeve into the prepared hole at the bottom of the housing. Then we hang the bottom door, getting the pin or axle into the hinge hole. It is important to align the door vertically before final tightening of the bolts.
Next, install the intermediate strip (for two-chamber models). It is fixed with bolts to the refrigerator body. Make sure the bar is level and not askew, otherwise the top door may not close tightly. After that, we hang the top door.
⚠️ Attention: Do not tighten the hinge bolts “all the way” immediately. First, tighten all the screws, align the doors, and only then make the final tightening.The final stage is installing the top hinge. Insert it into the grooves, align it with the holes on the end of the door and tighten the bolts. Check that the hinge pin fits correctly into the mating hole on the door. After tightening all the bolts, check the ease of movement of the doors.
Adjusting the position and checking the tightness
After installing the doors, they may hang unevenly or not fit tightly to the body. To adjust the height, adjusting screws on hinges are used (if provided by the design) or by tightening the support bushings. By rotating them, you can achieve perfect alignment of the door joint line.
Pay special attention magnetic seal. It should fit against the body around the entire perimeter without gaps. If you notice a loose fit, try heating the seal with a hairdryer at a low temperature - this will restore the elasticity of the rubber, which could be deformed when stored in a rolled position.
📊 What difficulty did you encounter when rehanging the doors?It was not possible to remove the old ones handles: The threads on the bolts have broken: The door is warped after installation: Everything went smoothlyTo check the tightness, use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet between the door and the body at different points around the perimeter. If the sheet is pulled out with force, the seal is good. If the sheet falls out or is pulled out too easily, additional adjustment of the hinge in this area is required.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
When rearranging doors on their own, beginners often make mistakes that lead to drafts inside the chamber or skewed facade. One common problem is that bolts of different lengths are lost or mixed up. Remember that bolts for hinges and for handles may differ in length and thread pitch.
Another mistake is ignoring the floor level. If the refrigerator is on an uneven floor, even properly hung doors may open on their own or not close completely. Use the adjustable legs of the refrigerator to set the horizon.
⚠️ Attention: If the door does not close tightly after rehanging, do not use force. Check whether there is anything inside (shelf, packaging) and whether the hinges are installed correctly.If you find that the holes on the new side do not match the holes on the door (which happens on some specific models), this may mean that this modification Hotpoint Ariston does not allow for re-hanging, or requires replacing the set of hinges. In such a situation, it is better to contact an authorized service.
What to do if the door creaks?
If a creaking noise appears after installation, lubricate the rubbing parts of the hinges with a small amount of silicone grease. Do not use edible oil or grease - they can spoil the plastic and attract dust.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rearranging the doors?
Yes, this is highly advisable. Defrosting will lighten the weight of the structure, allow you to thoroughly wash the internal surfaces while the doors are removed, and prevent water from leaking when tilting the refrigerator during work.
Is it possible to rearrange the doors without completely removing them from the body?
Theoretically, you can try to turn the hinges in place, but in practice it is almost impossible to do this efficiently without the risk of damaging the coating or tearing it off carving Removing the doors is the only reliable way.
Why does the door open by itself after rearranging?
Most likely, the angle of the refrigerator is broken. The door should open by gravity only when the body is tilted back. Adjust the front legs of the refrigerator, lifting the front part slightly higher than the back.
Where can I get new plugs if the old ones are lost?
Plastic plugs can be ordered at the Hotpoint Ariston service center or you can pick up universal analogues in furniture fittings stores, selecting them according to the diameter of the hole.
Does re-hanging the doors affect the warranty?
Re-hanging the doors yourself, as a rule, does not void the warranty on the compressor and electronics, unless the tubes, wiring or housing were damaged in the process. However, if you damage the hinges or glass, this will not be a warranty case.