A modern kitchen dictates its own ergonomic conditions, and often the standard location of the refrigerator door becomes an obstacle to the comfortable use of appliances. If you purchased a model Hotpoint Ariston, but the direction of opening the sash does not suit you, do not despair. Most modern units of this brand, including series BMF, MBF and BD, structurally allow you to change the opening side without the involvement of expensive craftsmen.
The rehanging process requires accuracy, the presence of a basic set of tools and adherence to a strict sequence of actions. Incorrect installation can lead to misalignment of the sash, disruption of the seal and, as a result, increased energy consumption. In this article, we will look in detail at how to safely and efficiently perform this procedure yourself.
Before you begin dismantling, it is important to understand that the design of your specific unit may have nuances. Always check the official documentation, if available, or carefully inspect the hinge attachment points. The main task is to move hinged elements to the opposite side of the case, maintaining the integrity of all mechanisms.
Preparation of tools and workplace
You should start with organizing the space. The refrigerator is a heavy unit, so for operation you will need to clear an area around it with a radius of at least one meter. This will provide free access from all sides and prevent accidental damage to the cabinet or walls of the room. It is advisable to cover the floor with a soft material, such as cardboard or thick fabric, to protect the coating from scratches if small parts fall.
To perform the work, you will need a standard home handyman's kit. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 or 5 mm in size) and a set of screwdrivers, including Phillips and flathead. You may also need 8 or 10 mm wrenches, depending on the type of bolts used in your model.
☑️ Door Reversing Tools
Special Pay attention to the presence of an assistant. The refrigerator door, especially the bottom one, can weigh from 15 to 25 kilograms, and holding it with one hand while unscrewing the bolts is extremely difficult and dangerous. If a second person is absent, make sure that you have a reliable support or stand to fix the door in a vertical position.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Unplug the cord from the outlet to eliminate the risk of a short circuit or electric shock if the wiring is accidentally damaged during the dismantling process.
Removing the top door and handle
The process begins with the top door, since it is the most accessible and often has a more complex design for attaching the handles. The first step is to remove the decorative plug if it covers the screws that secure the handle. To do this, carefully pry it out with a thin screwdriver or a plastic spatula, being careful not to damage the paintwork.
After removing the plugs, you will have access to the mounting screws. In models Hotpoint Ariston they can be hidden under rubber plugs or plastic covers. Unscrew all the screws securing the handle and remove it. If the handle does not come off easily, do not use excessive force - there may be one hidden screw left or a seal is in the way.
Now we move on to removing the door itself. You need to unscrew the top hinge. Please note that on some models, the door sensor or display wiring may be attached to the hinge. If wires are present, they must be carefully disconnected by first photographing or marking the connectors so as not to mix up the contacts during assembly.
After disconnecting the wires and unscrewing the bolts of the top hinge, ask an assistant to hold the door. Remove the hinge and carefully set the sash aside, placing it on a prepared soft surface with the outer side down. Be careful: the inner door shelf may be fragile.
Removing the bottom door and rearranging the hinges
The bottom door is often attached to the middle hinge, which also serves as support for the freezer or refrigerator compartment (depending on the layout). The process is similar: remove the handle, then unscrew the bolts securing the middle hinge. It is important here not to drop the door, as it may be heavy due to food or glass shelves that you may have forgotten to remove.
After removing both doors, we proceed to reinstalling the hinges. On the opposite side of the refrigerator body you will find symmetrical holes closed with plastic plugs. These plugs must be replaced in place of the old holes to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the unit. To remove them, you can use a thin awl or knife.
| Element | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Dismantling and rearrangement | Hexagon, key |
| Middle hinge | Removal and installation on a new side | Set of keys |
| Lower support | Checking the level | Adjustable feet |
| Plugs | Repositioning to the opposite side | Thin screwdriver |
Install the hinges in new places using the holes on the opposite side. Do not tighten the bolts too much yet, leave a slight play for later adjustment. Make sure that the hinge pins fit into the corresponding holes on the doors freely, without distortions.
Features of overhanging in models with NoFrost
In system refrigerators NoFrost, which are widely represented in the line Hotpoint Ariston, the design can be complicated by the presence of air ducts and additional sensors When hanging doors in such models, it is critical not to pinch the corrugated tubes that supply cold air.
If your model is equipped with a display on the door or a smart home system, the wires may run through the entire height of the body. In this case, simply transferring loops is not enough. It will be necessary to carefully pull the wire harnesses through special channels inside the case to the new side. This requires increased care so as not to damage the insulation.
What to do if the wires are short?
In some budget models, the length of the wires can only be designed for one side. If during rearrangement you find that the cable is strained or missing, it is strictly forbidden to connect it with twisting or electrical tape inside the housing. In this case, you will need to order an extension harness from an official service center or abandon the idea of re-hanging it to avoid a fire.
When assembling, make sure that all connectors snap into place until a characteristic click is heard. Poor contact can cause the fan, light or door open sensor to stop working, which will cause an error in the operation of the compressor.
Adjusting the position of doors and gaps
After installing the hinges and hanging the doors, the most important stage begins - adjustment. The doors should close tightly, effortlessly, and the gap between the doors and the body should be uniform around the entire perimeter. If you notice a misalignment, do not try to correct it by force by slamming the door.
To adjust, use the adjusting screws on the hinges (if provided by the design) or the legs of the refrigerator itself. Tilting the body back helps the doors close automatically under the influence of gravity. Check the horizontal installation using a building level.
⚠️ Attention: The gap between the door and the body when closed should be approximately 2-3 mm. If the door fits too tightly, it may not seal; if too far, the thermal insulation will be damaged.
Check the operation of the sealing rubber. It should fit snugly to the body along the entire contour. If, after re-hanging, a gap has formed in some place through which the cold escapes, perhaps the hinge is installed crookedly or the seal itself is deformed during installation.
Common mistakes and ways to make them elimination
Even with instructions, beginners often make mistakes that can lead to equipment breakdown. One of the most common is the loss or confusion of fasteners. The bolts for the top and bottom hinges may differ in length and thread. Using the wrong fasteners can damage the housing or the hinge itself.
Another mistake is not checking the level. If the refrigerator is positioned crookedly, the door will open by itself or, conversely, not close completely. This leads to ice freezing and failure of the defrost system. Always check the position of the unit after completing work.
- 🔧 Thread breakage: Occurs when using a tool of the wrong size or applying excessive force. Use only serviceable keys.
- ❄️ Damage to the seal: Often occurs when the door is handled carelessly during removal. Be careful with sharp corners of furniture.
- ⚡ Forgetfulness: Do not plug in the refrigerator immediately. Let it stand for at least 2-4 hours, especially if you tilted the unit strongly during work, so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.
⚠️ Attention: Technical characteristics and design of refrigerators may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture and the specific modification. Always focus on the visual condition of the fastening components of your device.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Do you need to completely defrost the refrigerator before rehanging?
Full defrosting is not a requirement if you work quickly. However, if there is a lot of ice in the freezer compartment, it is better to defrost the unit in advance to prevent water from leaking when tilting or removing the doors, which can damage the electronics or flooring.
Is it possible to hang the door on a refrigerator with a built-in handle?
Yes, in most models Hotpoint Ariston this perhaps. The mechanism is hidden inside the door leaf, and to rehang it you will need to remove the decorative panels or use a special template, which sometimes comes complete with the equipment.
What to do if after rehanging the door does not magnetize?
Check whether the installation sides of the magnetic seal are mixed up. Also make sure the door is level. If the problem cannot be solved by adjustment, it is possible that the magnetic circuit of the seal itself was damaged during dismantling and will need to be replaced.
Will the warranty remain valid after self-repositioning?
According to the law, the consumer has the right to independently service the equipment if this does not lead to a breakdown. However, if during the rehanging process you break the thread, damage the wiring or break the glass, the warranty claim for these components may not be recognized. Keep all removed parts.