Modern two-chamber models from the Belarusian manufacturer Atlant are often equipped with a system No Frost or partial automation, which allows the user not to think about regular maintenance. However, even in such devices, situations occur when an ice crust builds up on the walls or door of the freezer compartment, requiring intervention. This can happen due to a loosely closed door, a broken thermostat, or simply scheduled cleaning that you decided to carry out ahead of time.
The main difficulty that owners face is the desire to carry out the procedure locally, without defrosting the main chamber with food. Unlike old single-chamber models, where the entire unit was turned off, in two-compressor Atlantakh you can independently control the cooling circuits. The right approach will keep food fresh in the refrigerator and avoid wasting energy on re-cooling a large volume of air.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for safe and quick defrosting exclusively in the freezer compartment. You will learn how to determine the type of your system, what tools you will need and what absolutely should not be done so as not to damage evaporator or the sealing rubber bands. Following the instructions will help return the equipment to working order in the shortest possible time.
Determining the type of Atlant cooling system
Before taking active steps, you need to clearly understand what modification of the refrigerator you are dealing with. Models Atlant are divided into devices with manual defrosting, system Low Frost (small amount of ice) and full No Frost. The frequency of procedures and the methodology for their implementation directly depend on this. If your model says No Frost, but ice still appears, this is a signal of a malfunction, and not of normal operation.
Visually inspect the back wall of the freezer. If you see a plastic panel with many holes through which air blows, and do not see a metal coil, you have a system No Frost. In such cases, ice can build up only if the seal is broken or the defrost malfunctions. If the back wall is a metal ribbed surface or a smooth sheet behind which the evaporator is hidden, then this is a model with drip or a manual defrosting system.
It is also important to check the number of compressors. Dual-compressor models allow you to turn off only the freezer, leaving the refrigerator to work. This can be determined by two temperature regulators inside the chambers or by the presence of two separate circuits in the technical documentation. For single-compressor models, a complete stop of the refrigeration cycle will lead to an increase in temperature throughout the entire volume, which requires faster action to preserve products.
⚠️ Attention: If a “fur coat” thicker than 5 mm has formed on the evaporator in a model with No Frost, do not try to simply scrape off the ice. This is a sign of a breakdown of the defrost heating element or timer, and mechanical impact can lead to depressurization of the circuit.
Understanding the design of your Atlanta is the foundation of safe maintenance. Incorrect application of methods for manual defrosting to the system No Frost may not produce results, since the cause of icing lies deeper than just the presence of moisture in the air.
Preparing for local defrosting
The preparation process takes no less time than the process itself defrosting, and the success of the operation depends on it. The first step is always to empty the freezer of food. Even if you do not plan to wash the chamber completely, the products must be removed to provide access to warm air to the ice and prevent them from spoiling from dripping water.
Prepare a place to store frozen products in advance. If the main compartment of the refrigerator is empty or you can temporarily transfer some of the supplies there, take advantage of this. Otherwise, use thermal bags, ice packs, or simply wrap food in layers of blankets to slow the melting. It is critical to prevent meat or fish from defrosting to room temperature.
☑️ Preparing for defrosting
Prepare equipment to collect moisture. You will need:
- 🧽 Several large absorbent rags or towels for laying on the floor.
- 🪣 Flat containers (baking trays, pot lids) for installation under the freezer door.
- 🧣 Blanket or thick cloth for wrapping food (if no thermal container).
- 🧴 Warm water spray bottle (to speed up the process).
Remember to move the refrigerator away from the wall if access to the rear panel is necessary for your type of control. Make sure that the floor in the work area is protected from possible overflow of water over the edges of the containers. The water flowing from the drainage may be warm and contain residues of detergents or bacteria, so it is better to avoid contact with the floor covering.
Algorithm of actions for two-compressor models
Owners of two-compressor models Atlantov are the luckiest, since the design allows you to turn off only the freezer. Locate the control panel inside the refrigerator compartment. It is usually located on the upper inner wall or on the ceiling of the main chamber. You need a regulator that is responsible specifically for the freezer (often indicated by a snowflake or numbers in a separate block).
Move the freezer temperature regulator to position 0 or Off. In some models Atlant with electronic control, you must press the freezer on/off button until the corresponding shutdown indicator lights up. The freezer compressor will stop and you will hear a clicking sound. The main compressor will continue to operate, maintaining cold in the refrigerator compartment.
What to do if the regulator does not rotate?
If the temperature regulator is stuck, do not use excessive force. Try to gently turn it in both directions to the minimum angle. If the mechanism is damaged, use the method of temporarily unplugging the power cord, but monitor the temperature in the main chamber as it will also begin to heat up. In this case, it is better to temporarily move the food.
After stopping the compressor, leave the freezer door open. Warm air from the room will begin to circulate inside, starting the process of melting the ice. To speed things up, you can use a hair dryer, but we will talk about this in a special section. The main thing is to control the process and remove melting water in time so that it does not fall on the floor or inside the case.
⚠️ Attention: When only the freezer is turned off, the main chamber continues to work. Make sure that the open door of the freezer compartment does not interfere with the tight fit of the door of the refrigerator compartment, otherwise the cold will escape there too.
Control the temperature in the main chamber. Although the compressor is running, the constant flow of warm air from an open adjacent freezer (if they are connected structurally) or simply from the room can stress the system. Try to keep the door open for the minimum necessary time or close it when checking progress.
Defrosting single-compressor Atlant refrigerators
The situation with single-compressor models is more complicated, since one motor serves both chambers. It is impossible to stop the cooling in the freezer while keeping the refrigerator cold without turning off the unit completely. In this case, the “freezer only” algorithm is implemented due to the speed of action and the isolation of products in the main chamber.
Disconnect the refrigerator completely from the network. Defrosting time will depend on the amount of ice and the room temperature. To minimize the loss of cold in the main chamber, do not open it unless absolutely necessary. The freezer door, on the other hand, should be wide open.
Use the “heat shield” method. If the design allows, cover the refrigerator shelves with thick cardboard or a towel on the freezer side to prevent the cold from blowing out intensely. However, in most models Atlant the partition between the chambers is sufficiently thermally insulated, and the main thing is simply not to open the refrigerator again.
To speed up the process in single-compressor models, it is critical to actively remove melting water and ice. The faster you remove the main body of ice, the sooner you can turn on the device and restore the cold. Use rubber gloves to carefully chip away large pieces of ice by hand (if they do not come off on their own, do not use force!).
After defrosting is complete, wipe the chamber dry and turn on the refrigerator. Let it run for 1-2 hours without loading food to gain temperature, and then quickly load supplies from the main chamber if they have time to warm up.
Methods for accelerating the process and time table
Natural defrosting can take from 3 to 10 hours depending on the thickness of the ice and the temperature in the room. To reduce this time, you can use proven methods. The safest option is to place containers of hot water on the freezer shelves. The steam will intensively melt the ice.
Using a hair dryer is also effective. Direct a stream of warm (not hot!) air onto the ice crust. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of at least 20-30 cm and constantly move it so as not to overheat the plastic or seals. Important: Do not point the hair dryer at the back wall if system elements are visible there No Frostto avoid melting the plastic parts.
Below is a table of estimated defrosting times for various conditions. Remember that the data is averaged and depends on the specific model Atlant.
| Method | Ice thickness | Indoor temperature | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural | 3-5 mm | +22°C | 4-6 hours |
| Natural | 10 mm+ | +22°C | 8-12 hours |
| Bowls with boiling water | 3-5 mm | +22°C | 1.5-2 hours |
| Hair dryer (warm air) | Any | Not important | 30-45 minutes |
| Fan | 3-5 mm | +22°C | 2-3 hours |
Use of chemical defrosters (sprays) for food refrigerators Atlant not recommended, as chemical vapors can be absorbed into food or damage food plastics. It is better to limit yourself to physical methods.
What not to do: safety precautions
Haste is the main enemy when defrosting. Often users try to speed up the process by using sharp objects. This is the most common mistake leading to expensive repairs. Evaporator in refrigerators Atlant often made of thin aluminum and located very close to the inner wall.
Categorically It is prohibited:
- 🔪 Chip ice with a knife, screwdriver or chisel. One wrong move will pierce the tube, the refrigerant will evaporate, and the refrigerator will stop freezing forever without professional sealing and refilling.
- 🔥 Pour boiling water directly onto the ice or plastic. A sudden change in temperature can cause cracks in the plastic of the camera or deformation of the seals.
- 💧 Use steam cleaners. A powerful jet of steam under pressure will drive moisture into the thermal insulation layer of the housing, which will lead to corrosion and the appearance of mold inside the walls.
⚠️ Attention: If you accidentally pierce the wall and hear a hissing sound (freon coming out), immediately ventilate the room (freon can be flammable or displace oxygen) and call a technician. You won't be able to seal the hole with tape yourself - the system is depressurized.
Another mistake is turning on the refrigerator ahead of time. If you haven't dried the camera dry, the residual moisture will instantly turn into a new layer of ice, and all your efforts will be in vain. Use a dry rag to final wipe all corners and seals.
Completing the process and starting the equipment
After all the ice has melted and the water has been removed, carefully wipe the inside surface with soft a cloth soaked in a weak soda solution or a special refrigerator cleaner. This will remove bacteria and unpleasant odors. Then wipe the camera dry with paper towels.
Leave the door open for another 15-20 minutes to allow any remaining moisture to evaporate. Make sure the drain hole (if your model has one) is clear and water is draining away. Only after complete drying can you turn on the equipment.
For two-compressor models: turn on the freezer, set the regulator to the operating position (usually -18°C or the average value). Wait 30-40 minutes for the freezer to reach temperature before loading food. This will prevent thermal load on the compressor.
For single-compressor models: turn on the refrigerator. Let it run idle for about 1-2 hours. When the temperature stabilizes, load the food. If you only defrosted the freezer, check the condition of the food in the main chamber - if they have thawed, use them first.
Why does the Atlant freezer quickly become overgrown with ice after defrosting?
Main reasons: door not closed tightly (check the seal), drainage hole clogged, sensor malfunction defrosting (in No Frost models) or frequent opening of the door in conditions of high humidity in the room.
Is it possible to defrost the freezer without removing food from the refrigerator?
Yes, if you have a two-compressor model. You only turn off the freezer. If there is only one compressor, the refrigerator will also heat up, but more slowly. The main thing is not to open the refrigerator door during the process.
How often does Atlant with the Low Frost system need to be defrosted?
The Low Frost system involves rare defrosting, about 1-2 times a year, or when the layer of ice becomes noticeable (more than 3-4 mm). Frequent defrosting is not required, but monitoring the condition is necessary.
What to do if after defrosting the refrigerator does not freeze?
Check whether the door is tightly closed and whether the compressor is working (listen for a humming sound). If more than 5 hours have passed and there is no cold, the circuit may have been damaged during defrosting or the thermostat may have failed. A specialist diagnosis is required.