After delivering new household appliances to the kitchen, owners often make the same mistake - they rush to fill the shelves with products immediately after unpacking. This impatience can cost you expensive repairs or shorten the life of your compressor. Proper preparation of the refrigerator for the first start is not just a recommendation from the manufacturer, but a necessary condition for the correct operation of a complex refrigerant circulation system.
Modern models, whether classic Indesit or high-tech Samsung with the system No Frostrequire compliance with certain time intervals and conditions transportation. The physics of processes inside the unit dictates its own rules, ignoring which leads to failure of expensive components.
In this article we will analyze all the stages: from the moment the box is brought into the apartment to the loading of the first products. You will learn why it is important to wait a certain time, how to check the tightness of the circuit and what temperature mode to set initially for maximum energy efficiency.
Transportation and settling time of equipment
The key factor affecting the durability of the compressor is the position of the refrigerator during transportation. If the unit was transported in a horizontal position or at a strong tilt, oil from the compressor could flow into the cooling system circuits. When installed vertically, it flows back, but this process takes time.
Manufacturers recommend pausing before turning it on. For equipment transported vertically, 2-3 hours is enough. If the refrigerator was in the back of a truck, the settling time increases to 8-12 hours, and in winter - up to a day.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to turn on the compressor before the oil has completely drained can cause water hammer, which will lead to mechanical destruction of the valves.
Particular attention should be paid to the temperature regime when skidding streets. If it’s frosty outside but the apartment is warm, condensation will form inside the housing. Moisture on electronic control boards or contacts can cause a short circuit when first started.
Why can't you turn it on immediately after winter delivery?
A sudden change in temperature causes heavy condensation to form inside the insulation and on electrical components. Turning on wet equipment is equivalent to trying to start the engine of a car that has gotten wet. Allow the unit to warm up to room temperature for 4-6 hours without unpacking it completely to avoid the formation of moisture on the internal components.
After the equipment has warmed up, you must remove all packaging. Foam pads, tape and protective film should be completely removed. Pay special attention to the internal locks of shelves and drawers - they are often forgotten to be pulled out, which leads to breakage of the plastic guides during the first attempt to open the door.
Choice of installation location and ventilation
The efficiency of the refrigeration unit directly depends on the quality of heat exchange. During operation, the compressor and condenser (grid at the back or on the sides) generate heat, which must be freely released into the environment. Impaired air circulation causes the engine to work with overload.
When choosing a location, consider the following requirements for distances from walls and furniture:
- 📏 There must be at least 5-7 cm from the back wall to the kitchen wall for free air circulation.
- 📏 A gap of at least 3 cm must be left on the sides, if the model does not involve embedding.
- 📏 A space of about 10 cm is required on top, especially if a cabinet is planned to be installed on top.
- 📏 The distance to heating devices (batteries, stoves) should be at least 50 cm.
You cannot install the refrigerator in niches without ventilation or close to the kitchen headset, if this is not provided for by the design of built-in models. Built-in appliances have a special heat removal system through the base, while free-standing appliances require air from all sides.
The installation surface must be perfectly flat. Misalignment of the housing leads to improper closing of the doors and disruption of the condensate drainage system. Moisture may begin to accumulate inside or leak out, damaging the floor covering.
Adjusting the supports and checking the level
After installation in place, it is necessary to level the housing. Most models are equipped with adjustable front legs. This is necessary not only for aesthetics, but also for the correct operation of the self-closing door mechanism.
The ideal tilt angle is when the front of the refrigerator is raised 1-2 degrees higher than the back. In this case, the door, if opened 45 degrees, will smoothly close itself under the influence of gravity. If the door falls or, conversely, opens wider, adjustment is required.
Use a building level for leveling. Turn the adjusting screws with a wrench or by hand (depending on the model) until the bubbles of the level are in the center position. Make sure that the refrigerator is stable and does not wobble when pressed lightly.
⚠️ Attention: If the floor is slippery (tiles, linoleum), make sure that the rubber tips of the legs are intact. This will prevent spontaneous movement of the equipment when the compressor vibrates.
Check the tightness of the seals. The door should close with a characteristic bang, but without excessive force. If the rubber band does not fit tightly, warm air will enter the chamber, causing the compressor to work without interruption.
Primary washing and disinfection
The inside of the new refrigerator smells like plastic and factory grease. Before loading food, the interior must be thoroughly washed. This will remove dust collected during assembly and chemical residues.
Use a weak solution of baking soda or a special refrigerator cleaner. Aggressive chemicals, abrasive powders and chlorine-containing products are prohibited - they can damage the plastic housing and rubber seal.
Procedure:
- Remove all removable shelves, drawers and trays.
- Wash them with warm water and a mild detergent separately.
- Wipe the inner walls with a damp cloth, paying attention to the corners.
- Wipe all surfaces dry with a clean cloth.
- Leave the doors open for 30-60 minutes for complete drying and ventilation.
Pay special attention to the system No Frost. Although there is no exposed evaporator, dust in the ventilation ducts can create an unpleasant odor when the fan is first run. Thorough cleaning will prevent the spread of odors throughout the chamber.
First start-up and operation check
The most important moment comes - turning on the network. Plug the cord into a separate grounded outlet. The use of extension cords and tees is not recommended, since the starting currents of the compressor can be high for poor-quality contacts.
After switching on, you will hear the motor running. In the first minutes this is normal. Let the refrigerator run idle (without food) for 2-4 hours. During this time, the unit will reach the required temperature, and the automation will turn off the compressor.
| Parameter | Normal value | Signs of malfunction |
|---|---|---|
| Time until first shutdown | 30 - 90 minutes | Works for more than 3 hours without stopping |
| Temperature in the main chamber | +2...+5 °C | Above +7 °C or below 0 °C |
| Noise level | Uniform hum | Knocking, clanging, whistling, gurgling |
| Heating of the side walls | Warm to the touch | Hot (impossible to hold your hand) |
If after several hours of operation condensation appears on the side walls or between the shelves, or the compressor does not turn off, this is a reason to contact service. However, slight heating of the side walls (heat sinks) is an absolutely normal operating process.
☑️ Check before loading
In models with electronic control (Smart Cooling, Multi Flow), the first cycles can take place in test mode. Do not be alarmed if (the display) flashes or shows different symbols in the first 15 minutes.
Loading products and setting modes
When the refrigerator has entered operating mode and turned off, you can begin loading. Do not fill the chambers with room temperature products in large quantities - this will create excess load on the system.
Distribute the products evenly without closing the ventilation holes. Cold air should circulate freely. It is better to immediately place meat and fish in the freshness zone or lower shelves, where the temperature is lower.
⚠️ Attention: Never put hot or warm foods in the refrigerator. This sharply increases the humidity and temperature inside, causing the compressor to work harder, and also promotes the growth of bacteria on other products.
Adjust the temperature according to the instructions. For the main compartment, +3...+4 °C is optimal. Set the freezer to -18 °C. If the model has the “Super Freeze” function, turn it on in advance if you plan to load a lot of fresh food.
Check the operation of the unit regularly during the first week. If you notice the formation of an ice crust on the back wall (in drip models) or uneven cooling, you may need to re-adjust the thermostat or check the tightness.
How long can you not turn on the refrigerator after transportation?
The minimum settling time is 2-3 hours if the equipment was standing vertically. If the refrigerator has been sitting, you need to wait 8 to 24 hours for the compressor oil to drain into the crankcase. In winter, the time is increased until the equipment is completely warmed up to room temperature to avoid condensation.
Why does the refrigerator hum or click when first started?
A slight hum is normal operation of the compressor. Clicking noises may come from the start relay or the plastic parts of the housing expand/contract due to temperature changes. If the sounds become loud, metallic, or accompanied by vibration, contact a technician.
Do you need to wash the inside of a new refrigerator?
Absolutely. Factory dust, packaging foam particles and the smell of plastic remain on the internal surfaces. Washing with a weak solution of soda will remove dirt and prevent the absorption of foreign odors by the first products.
Can a refrigerator be placed on a balcony?
Only if the balcony is glazed and insulated. The ambient temperature should not fall below +5 °C and rise above +30-35 °C (depending on the climate class of the equipment). Working in the cold or in direct sunlight will damage the compressor.
What to do if the door does not close tightly?
Check if anything is interfering with the seal (packaging, edge of the shelf). Make sure the refrigerator is level and tilted backwards. If the seal is deformed upon delivery, try carefully straightening it with a hair dryer at low temperature or boiling water, but without fanaticism.