Modern brand refrigerators Indesit are famous for their ergonomics, but sometimes situations arise when it is necessary to remove the bottom drawers completely. This is required for general cleaning, replacing broken parts or eliminating unpleasant odors absorbed into the plastic. Many owners are afraid to make efforts for fear of damaging the fragile guides or the plastic structure of the container itself.
In this article we will look in detail at how to properly and safely dismantle a box in the refrigerator or freezer compartment. You will learn about the nuances of fastening various models, the design features of shelves above drawers, and methods for removing stuck elements. The right approach will avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your equipment.
The disassembly process may differ depending on the series of refrigerator, be it a classic two-chamber Indesit EF 18 or more modern models with the system No Frost. It is important to understand the general logic of the internal space arrangement so as not to act by brute force. Let's look at the main stages of preparation and direct dismantling.
Preparation for dismantling and safety measures
Before starting any manipulations with the internal components of the refrigerator, it is necessary to prepare the workspace. Make sure that there are no foreign objects in the access area that could interfere with the removal of large parts. The lighting should be sufficient so that you can clearly see the fastening points and latches.
The first thing to do is empty the drawer of food. Even if it seems light, the residual weight can play a cruel joke when trying to make a sharp jerk. It is also recommended to check the temperature conditions: if you plan to wash the parts, it is better to do this while the plastic is still at room temperature to avoid thermal shock when in contact with water.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to remove the drawer if it is frozen to the walls or guides due to ice. Allow the ice to melt naturally or use a hairdryer on low power from a distance to avoid melting the plastic.
It is important to have the necessary tools on hand, although disassembly is most often done by hand. However, in difficult cases you may need:
- 🧤 Durable fabric gloves for better grip on smooth plastic
- 🔦 Flashlight for illuminating the internal recesses of the camera
- 🧼 Mild detergent for preliminary cleaning of joints from dirt
- 📏 Plastic spatula (not metal!) for neatly snapping off the clamps
Make sure the refrigerator door is open as wide as possible and locked. In some models Indesit doors have closers that can slam shut at the most inopportune moment, injuring your hands or damaging the part being removed.
Anatomy of a box: structure and types of fastenings
To successfully disassemble a box, you need to understand how it is held inside the chamber. In refrigerators Indesit most often there are two types of designs: drawers on telescopic guides and containers resting on a glass shelf. The first type is typical for freezers, the second - for the lower compartments of the refrigerator.
In models with guides, the key element is the side slides. They can be made of plastic or metal. Plastic slides often have locking latches that must be pressed in at the same time as they slide out. Metal rails are usually held in place by friction and special stoppers that are unlocked at a certain angle of inclination of the box.
If your box is on a glass shelf, the process is simplified, but there is a risk of breaking the glass. In such designs, the drawer itself is simply pushed forward until it stops, and then the front part is raised. The shelf at this moment must either be removed or have special cutouts for the passage of the drawer.
Particular attention should be paid fixing tabs. These are small plastic tabs that prevent the drawer from accidentally falling out when the door is opened suddenly. They are located on the sides in the depths of the niche. To overcome them, a slight upward or sideways movement is often required.
Dismantling a drawer in the refrigerator compartment
Disassembling the bottom drawer in the main compartment of the refrigerator Indesit usually does not cause difficulties if you act sequentially. Most often, a scheme is used here where the box is suspended on brackets or lies on a pull-out shelf. In the first case, you need to lift the front part of the container up.
Grip the front side of the box with both hands. Smoothly, without jerking, pull it towards you until it hits the stops. Then raise the front about 10-15 degrees. At this point, the rear guides should come out of the grooves. If the drawer does not fit, check whether the products on the shelf above are in the way.
In some modifications Indesit with a system Absolute Care or similar, drawers can be part of a single retractable system. It is important here not to confuse the withdrawal order. First, the top shelf-lid is removed (if there is one), and only then the container itself becomes accessible.
☑️ Dismantling checklist
If you encounter resistance, do not use force. Inspect the side walls of the niche. There may be hidden latches that need to be pressed out with your fingers or a plastic spatula. Often such mechanisms are hidden under decorative overlays.
⚠️ Attention: The glass on which the box rests is very durable, but is afraid of pinpoint impacts. Do not lean on it with your knee or place heavy tools when working in the lower compartment.
After removing the drawer, inspect the bottom of the drawer. There may be stiffening ribs that could crack if used incorrectly. If there is a crack, it is better to replace the box, as it will deform under further load.
Removing freezer containers
Freezer boxes in refrigerators Indesit are often made of denser plastic, but brittle in the cold. They can be installed on telescopic guides or simply nested one inside the other (depending on the model). If you have a freezer with separate doors, each drawer is removed individually.
First, open the freezer door and let the temperature level out a little if sludge has formed inside. Pull out the top drawer. Below it you will see either the bottom of the freezer or the next drawer. If the drawers are on top of each other, the top one just needs to be lifted and pulled out.
In systems with guides, the algorithm is as follows:
- 🔍 Pull out the drawer until the stopper clicks.
- 🔍 Find the release levers on the sides of the guides (often they are red or blue colors).
- 🔍 Press the levers at the same time and pull the drawer towards you.
- 🔍 If there are no levers, try lifting the front edge of the drawer up, simulating the movement of coming out of the grooves.
Take special care with the bottom drawer in the freezer. It is often the largest and heaviest. When removing it, the center of gravity of the refrigerator may shift, so make sure that the unit is stable and not tilted forward.
What to do if the drawer is jammed with ice?
If the drawer does not slide out due to ice, under no circumstances use a knife or screwdriver to pick out the ice. You will puncture the evaporator and the refrigerator will fail. Use a hair dryer, directing warm air at the joints, or defrost the refrigerator completely within 10-12 hours. You can also place a heating pad with warm water, wrapped in a towel, in the drawer to melt the ice locally.
After removing all the drawers in the freezer, access to the evaporator (if this is a model No Frost) or the bottom of the chamber (in a drip system) opens. This is the ideal time to clean hard-to-reach places and check the integrity of the seals.
Removing glass shelves and dividers
Often, to fully remove a drawer, you must first remove the glass shelf that is located above it. In refrigerators Indesit the shelves are mounted on plastic brackets fixed to the side walls. These brackets can be adjustable or fixed.
To remove the shelf, grasp its front edge with both hands. Lift the front part slightly (1-2 cm) to remove the glass from the front grooves of the brackets. Then gently pull the shelf towards you. The rear ends should come out of the supports without effort. If the shelf sits tightly, rock it from side to side with minimal amplitude.
It is important to remember about Anti-vibration pads. Glass shelves often have rubber or plastic "feet" on the ends. They may stick to supports. In this case, a slight rotational movement of the shelf before lifting helps.
| Shelf type | Fastening feature | Risk during removal | Tip expert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempered glass | Lits on brackets | Breaks when hitting the edge of the box | Remove only when empty |
| With sides (barrier) | Increased width | Hitting the side walls | Take out strictly horizontally |
| Folding shelf | Hinge mechanism | Pinched fingers | Pre-fold half |
| Shelf-lid of the drawer | Drawer guides | Falling on the products below | Hold the second by hand |
If the shelf has a metal edge, be careful: it may have sharp edges where the enamel is chipped. Always check the integrity of the coating before handling the glass with your bare hands.
Problem solving: jamming and defects
Sometimes disassembling a refrigerator drawer Indesit turns into a quest due to jammed mechanisms. The most common reason is deformation of the plastic. Over time, the weight of the food may cause the bottom of the drawer to bend, and it will no longer slide freely along the guides. In this case, you need to inspect the bottom edge of the box.
If you notice burrs or swollen plastic, they can be carefully trimmed with a utility knife or sanded with sandpaper. However, this must be done outside the refrigerator so that the chips do not get into the mechanism.
Another problem is the breakdown of the guides themselves. Plastic becomes brittle in the cold. If you hear a crunching sound when extending, the gear tooth or the rail itself may have cracked. In this case, further operation is impossible without replacing the part.
There are times when the drawer warps and gets diagonally stuck in a niche. Don't pull it by the handle - it will break off first. Grab the sides of the container towards the back and try to level it by rocking it from side to side while pulling outward.
⚠️ Warning: If you find that the plastic guide is cracked, do not try to glue it with superglue. In the cold, glue will lose its properties, and glue vapors can be toxic to products. Order an original spare part for the refrigerator model.
Care and prevention of breakdowns
After you have managed to disassemble and clean the drawers, it is important to reassemble the structure correctly. Make sure that all guides click into place. The drawer should slide out smoothly, without distortions or jams.
Regular maintenance will extend the life of plastic elements. Once every six months, it is recommended to completely defrost the refrigerator and wash the drawers with warm water and a mild detergent. Do not use abrasive sponges, which leave micro-scratches - they then become clogged with dirt and bacteria multiply.
Make sure the loading is even. Don't put a heavy pot of soup in one corner of the drawer and leave the other side empty. This leads to misalignment and breakage of the guides. Distribute the weight of the food evenly over the entire area of the bottom of the container.
It is also worth checking the condition of the door seals. If the door does not close tightly, warm, moist air enters the chamber, which condenses and freezes, forming ice build-ups that block the movement of the drawers.
Can the drawers be washed in the dishwasher?
Most plastic refrigerator drawers Indesit are made of polystyrene or polypropylene. Although these materials are heat-resistant, harsh detergents and high temperatures in the dishwasher can cause the plastic to cloud or warp. It is better to wash by hand with warm water.
What to do if the drawer handle breaks?
If the handle breaks off, do not try to pull the drawer by the edge of the plastic - it will crack. Temporarily use a suction cup or gently pry the drawer from underneath. For repairs, it is better to purchase a new cover or a whole drawer, since handles are rarely sold separately.
Why did the drawer move worse after cleaning?
Perhaps you did not completely dry the guides, and the remaining water froze, creating an ice crust. Or you washed off the factory lubricant. In the first case, let the refrigerator run empty for a couple of hours, in the second, apply food-grade silicone grease.
Where can I find the refrigerator model to order spare parts?
The model is indicated on a sticker inside the refrigerator compartment (usually on the left wall) or on the back wall of the case. You need a complete code, for example Indesit DF 520to select exactly the right drawer.
How to replace a broken drawer if the original is not on sale?
You can look for universal drawer organizers of a suitable size. The main thing is that they fit on the guides or shelves. Sometimes boxes from other models Indesit or even Aristonare suitable, since these brands use similar platforms.