Owners of popular Belarusian appliances are often faced with the need to carry out scheduled defrosting, especially if the refrigerator Atlant, an impressive amount of ice formed. Despite the fact that modern models are often equipped with a No Frost system, many budget and time-tested units, such as the lower chamber The Atlant refrigerator formed an impressive amount of ice. Despite the fact that modern models are often equipped with a No Frost system, many budget and time-tested units, such as the Atlant MXM 2808 or MXM 1704series, require manual intervention approximately once every six months. Ignoring this process can lead to a decrease in cooling efficiency, increased energy consumption and even failure of the compressor due to constant operation at the limit.
The process of getting rid of ice seems simple, but incorrect actions can cause serious damage to internal components or plastic parts. Defrosting should occur naturally, without the use of brute physical force or aggressive heating devices. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you safely clean the freezer compartment, maintaining the functionality of your refrigeration equipment for many years.
Before starting any manipulations, you need to make sure that you fully understand the structure of your model. Some Atlant two-chamber refrigerators have separate refrigerant circulation circuits, which simplifies the task, while others require a complete shutdown. Let's look at the preparatory stage, which is often underestimated, but the success of the entire operation depends on it.
Preparation for defrosting and turning off the power
First and most An important step is to completely de-energize the device. You need to unplug the power cord from the outlet. You should not rely on the power button if it is located on the housing, since for safe work a guaranteed break in the electrical circuit is required. If access to the outlet is difficult due to a tight installation, carefully move the unit by grasping the side walls, not the door or handles.
While the equipment is turned off, free up the internal space. All food from the lower chamber should be removed. If you are planning a short-term defrosting and it is winter outside, you can take the supplies to the balcony, having previously packed them. During warmer months, use thermal bags or wrap food in thick blankets to slow down the thawing process.
Be sure to remove all removable elements: shelves, drawers, egg trays and containers. Plastic parts become brittle at low temperatures, and sudden temperature changes during washing can cause them to deform or crack. Let them sit at room temperature for a while before taking them under the tap.
Prepare a place in advance to collect melt water. The volume of liquid can be significant, especially if the ice has been building up for months. Place several layers of old towels, rags or special absorbent diapers under the door of the lower chamber. Some Atlant models have a drainage chute, but relying only on it is risky - water can flow across the floor.
☑️ Preparing for defrosting
Natural thawing: the correct algorithm
The safest method recommended by manufacturers is this natural thawing. Once you have left the lower chamber door open, the process will proceed automatically. Warm air from the room will begin to penetrate inside, starting the ice melting reaction. Depending on the temperature in the room and the thickness of the ice crust, this process can take from 3 to 10 hours.
Do not try to speed up the process by leaving the door wide open if there are small children or pets in the house. This may damage the hinges or contaminate the inside surface. It is enough to leave a gap of 10-15 centimeters. If your model Atlant has a quick freezing function, make sure it is turned off before starting the procedure.
During the thawing process, it is important to regularly check the condition of floors and absorbent materials. Water may leak not only from the front, but also through the drain hole if it is clogged. In this case, it may be necessary to clean the channel with a soft rubber bulb or a special brush, but this must be done extremely carefully so as not to damage the tube.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to leave the refrigerator plugged in with the door open for a long time. This will lead to continuous operation of the compressor, which will try to catch up with the temperature, which is guaranteed to cause it to overheat and break down.
What not to do: common mistakes
The desire to quickly complete an unpleasant procedure often pushes owners to take risky actions. The most common mistake is using sharp objects to chip ice. Knives, screwdrivers, chisels or even metal ice shovels can easily damage evaporator. In Atlant models with a foamed evaporator, a breakdown of the tube will lead to a freon leak and expensive repairs, which are often not economically feasible.
The second dangerous method is using a hairdryer, heater or boiling water. Sudden heating of plastic can cause it to deform, and hot water on cold glass shelves will cause them to instantly crack. In addition, a jet of hot air can melt the rubber seals on the door, breaking the seal of the chamber.
Some users try to break off large pieces of ice by hitting the body or tugging hard on frozen drawers. Mechanical impact on the system of tubes hidden in the walls can disrupt their integrity. Also, you should not use chemical ice removers intended for car windows - they can be toxic and leave an unpleasant odor, which is then difficult to get rid of.
| Action | Risk | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Using a knife | Evaporator tube breakdown | Freon leak, compressor failure |
| Heating with a hairdryer | Plastic deformation | Violation of chamber geometry, burning smell |
| Boiling water | Thermal shock | Cracks in the glass, damage to the seal |
| Strong blows | Displacement of tubes | Impaired circulation refrigerant |
Accelerating the process using safe methods
If time is running out, there are ways to speed up the melting of ice without risk to equipment. One effective method is to use containers of warm water. Pour water at a temperature of about 40-50 degrees into wide basins or bowls. Place them at the bottom of the lower chamber or on shelves, having previously covered the surface with a towel.
Heat from the water will be transferred through the air and walls, causing more intense melting of the ice. When the water in the basin has cooled, it should be replaced with a new portion of warm water. This method is especially effective for models Atlant with large freezer drawers, where air circulation is difficult.
Another option is to use a spray bottle with warm water. You can carefully irrigate the ice crust, being careful not to wet the technical openings and electrical contacts if they are located inside. However, this method requires constant monitoring so that the water does not overflow and fall on the floor.
It is important not to overdo it with the amount of water. If you pour too much boiling water, the plastic may not withstand thermal expansion. Warm water is the optimal balance between speed and safety. After the ice begins to come off, you can carefully help the process with a wooden spatula, but only if the ice has already moved away from the walls.
⚠️ Attention: The technical characteristics of the plastic used in Atlant refrigerators may vary depending on the year of manufacture. Always check the instructions for your specific model for permissible temperature exposures.
Cleaning, drying and disinfection
When all the ice has melted and the water has been collected, the stage of thorough cleaning begins. Mucus may have formed inside the chamber or an unpleasant odor may have appeared due to bacterial growth. Wipe all surfaces with a soft sponge soaked in a weak solution of baking soda or a special refrigerator cleaner.
Pay special attention to the corners and the rubber door seal. This is where dirt and mold most often accumulate. After wet cleaning, be sure to wipe the surfaces dry with a clean rag. The remaining moisture can turn back into ice immediately after turning it on, ruining all your efforts.
Don't forget to wash and dry the previously removed drawers and shelves. While they dry, leave the refrigerator doors open for ventilation. This will help eliminate residual odors and finally dry hard-to-reach places where the rag did not reach.
What is the best way to wash the refrigerator?
A solution of baking soda (1 tablespoon per liter of water) or a weak solution of vinegar is ideal. Avoid abrasive powders and chlorine-containing products, which can damage the coating and leave toxic traces.
Starting the refrigerator after defrosting
After complete drying, reassemble the structure in the reverse order. Place shelves, drawers and containers in their proper places. Make sure that all parts fit smoothly and that nothing prevents the door from closing freely. Now you can connect the unit to the power supply.
Do not rush to load products right away. Let the refrigerator run idle for at least 2-3 hours, or better yet, until the compressor automatically turns off. This will allow the system to stabilize the temperature regime and enter the operating cycle. Loading warm food into a refrigerator that has not accelerated will cause the compressor to overload.
Check the operation of the thermostat. Set the temperature regulator to the middle position (usually this value 3 or 4 on mechanical models, or +4°C on electronic ones). If after a few hours the chamber becomes stable and cold, and there is no condensation on the walls, then the defrosting was successful.
How often do you need to defrost the Atlant refrigerator?
The frequency of defrosting depends on the model and operating conditions. For drip-type systems (crying evaporator), defrosting occurs automatically in the refrigerator compartment, but a freezer with manual defrosting must be cleared of ice 1-2 times a year. If you notice that the layer of frost is growing faster, the door seal may be broken.
What to do if the refrigerator does not freeze after defrosting?
If, after turning it on and waiting for 5-6 hours, the temperature does not drop, check whether the door closes tightly. The seal may have been dislodged during cleaning. If the problem persists, there could be a malfunction of the thermostat or a freon leak, which requires calling a technician.
Is it possible to defrost the refrigerator without removing the food?
Theoretically, it is possible if you use the local defrosting method using a hairdryer (with extreme caution) or leave the refrigerator running with the door slightly open. However, this is ineffective and risky for the compressor. Complete defrosting with unloading of products is the only correct method of maintenance.
Why does the “fur coat” freeze in the lower chamber of Atlant?
The main reasons: loose door fit (wear of the seal), frequent opening of the door, loading hot products or malfunction of the defrost sensor. Also, the cause may be a clogged drainage hole through which moisture should escape.