Rearranging furniture in the kitchen often poses unexpected challenges for owners of household appliances, and one of the most common problems is the direction in which the refrigerator door opens. If your Biryusa refrigerator no longer fits into the updated interior or the handle interferes with the passage, the situation can be easily corrected. Manufacturers of this equipment initially provide the possibility of changing the hanging side, which greatly simplifies the life of users.
The hanging process does not require calling a specialist and special skills, however, it requires attention to detail and the presence of a basic set of tools. Incorrect sequence of actions can lead to damage to the plastic or damage seal tightness. In this article, we will analyze in detail each stage of the work so that you can safely and quickly change the opening side of the door of your unit.
Before starting active actions, it is necessary to free up the space around the equipment and prepare the workplace. Hanging doors - this is an operation that requires accuracy, since the door leaves have a significant weight and may be slippery. Make sure that you have an assistant who can secure the sash being removed, especially if we are talking about a two-chamber model.
Preparation of tools and work area
High-quality preparation is the key to successful completion of the job without scratches on the floor and unnecessary nerves. To dismantle and subsequently install doors, you will need a minimum set of tools, which are usually found in every home. The main tool will be a screwdriver or a Phillips screwdriver, since most of the fasteners in Biryusa refrigerators are made specifically for a Phillips slot.
You will also need a wrench, the size of which depends on the model of your refrigerator (most often it is 8, 10 or 12 mm). Do not forget to prepare a building level to check the levelness of the installation after completion of the work. To avoid damaging the floor covering with a fallen tool or parts, be sure to lay a soft cloth or cardboard on the floor.
☑️ Tools for work
It is important to clear the door shelves in advance of products and removable elements in order to reduce the weight of the structure. Plastic holders and glass It is better to remove the shelves immediately, as they may fall out and break when the door is tilted. If there are decorative panels or magnets on the door, it is also recommended to temporarily remove them.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Working with electrical appliances requires compliance with basic safety measures, and removing the plug from the socket will protect you from accidental electric shock.
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
You should always start the process from the top of the refrigerator. First of all, remove the top decorative panel or cover, if it is present in your model Biryusa. It can be attached with latches or small screws that need to be carefully unscrewed. Under the cover you will see the upper hinge that holds the door leaf.
Holding the door with one hand, unscrew the fastening bolts of the upper hinge. The help of a second person is extremely important here, since the door is heavy and can fall sharply if it is released. After the bolts of the upper hinge are unscrewed, carefully remove the door from the lower support and put it in a safe place, laying it with a soft cloth.
Now proceed to remove the middle hinge (if you have a two-chamber refrigerator) or simply free the lower part from the fasteners. Fastening elements it is better to put them in a separate container so that they do not get lost or mixed up with details for the other side. Carefully inspect the removed hinges: often the holes for the bolts on them are asymmetrical, and to rehang you will need to use the other side of the same hinge or turn it over.
Having removed all the door panels, proceed to dismantling the handles. They can be fastened with screws from the inside or with latches. Carefully unscrew the fasteners and remove the handles to move them to the other side. In some models Biryusa refrigerators the handles are hidden, and their rearrangement is not required, but plugs will have to be installed in place of the old fasteners.
Rehanging the hinges and moving the handles
The most critical stage is installing the hinges on the opposite side of the body. At the end of the refrigerator, on the side where you plan to hang the door, there should be technological holesclosed with plastic plugs. Carefully remove these plugs and move them to the vacant places on the previous side.
Install the top hinge on the new side using the holes provided for this. Do not tighten the bolts all the way right away - leave a little play to adjust the door position in the future. The lower support is also transferred to the opposite lower corner of the body. Make sure that the lower support pin points straight up and is securely fixed.
Nuances with threads
In some older models of refrigerators, the threads in the holes may be developed. If the bolts turn too easily, you can use fum tape or a drop of thread locker, but do not overdo it so as not to stain the inside of the refrigerator.
The door handles are installed in new places using the prepared holes. If the new side does not have holes for attaching handles, check the package: sometimes the manufacturer supplies additional sets of fastenings or the handles have a universal fixation system. In models with integrated handles, this step is skipped.
| Part type | Action during dismantling | Action during installation | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hinge | Unscrew, remove from the door | Install on the new side | Do not tighten it all the way right away |
| Bottom support | Unscrew from the body | Screw into opposite corner | Check the verticality of the stud |
| Door handle | Remove from the canvas | Screw it on the other side | Make sure of the symmetry |
| Plugs | Remove from new holes | Close old holes | Change places |
Installation of magnets and switches
One of the thinnest operations is to rearrange the magnetic light switch and the magnet itself. In Biryusa refrigerators, the magnet is often built into the end of the door or placed in a special pocket of the seal. You need to find the place where it is located and carefully remove it.
Magnetic sensor (reed switch) is located in the refrigerator body and responds to a magnet in the door. It also needs to be moved to the new side. It is usually mounted in a hole at the end of the housing. Remove it, rearrange the plug and install the sensor in a new socket on the opposite side.
⚠️ Attention: Be extremely careful with the magnet and sensor! These are fragile elements. If you damage the reed switch or drop a strong magnet, it may crack, and the refrigerator will no longer “understand” whether the door is closed or not.
If in your model the magnet is simply placed in a rubber pocket, make sure that when rearranging it does not move too deeply or, conversely, does not stick out. Correct positioning the magnet is critical for the correct operation of the control system and stopping the compressor when opening the door.
Installation of doors and final adjustment
After preparing all the fasteners, you can begin hanging the doors. Install the bottom of the door onto the bottom support stud. This requires precision, as you need to hit the pin with the hole in the loop. Then attach the top of the door and align the holes with the top hinge.
Insert the mounting bolts into the top hinge, but do not tighten them completely yet. Now is the time to check that the door is installed vertically. Use building levelapplying it to the end of the door in several places. The door should hang straight, without distortions to the left or right.
Close the door and check the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. There should be no gaps anywhere through which air can pass. If you notice a loose fit, slightly loosen the hinge bolts and move the door in the desired direction, then tighten the fasteners again.
⚠️ Attention: If you have a two-compartment refrigerator, install the bottom door first, then the middle hinge, and only then hang the top door. Violation of this sequence will make installation impossible.
After fixing all the bolts, check the operation of the doors: they should open smoothly, without creaking or jamming. When released from an opening angle of about 45 degrees, the door should close automatically under the influence of gravity (provided that the refrigerator body is tilted back correctly).
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
Even following the instructions, beginners may encounter difficulties. One of the most common mistakes is mixed sides of hinges. Remember that left and right hinges are often mirrored, and attempting to install a left hinge on the right may result in the door not closing or being askew.
Another problem is lost or mixed up plugs. If you lose the plastic plug, do not leave the hole open as this will compromise the insulation. As a last resort, you can seal the hole with a piece of electrical tape in the color of the body or use a plug from another, unused part.
What to do if the door does not close?
Check whether anything is interfering with the seal (products on shelves, bottles). Also make sure that the refrigerator is level: if it is tilted forward, the door will not slam itself.
If after installation you hear a creaking noise, the hinges may be rubbing against the frame or against each other. In this case, it may be necessary to lubricate the rubbing surfaces with a special silicone lubricant. Do not use oils of animal or vegetable origin, as they dry out over time and begin to stick.
Maintenance of the seal after work
After completing all re-hanging work, be sure to check the condition rubber seal. During the removal and installation process, it could become deformed or dirty. Wipe it with a soft damp cloth, removing dust and traces of grease.
If you notice that the seal has moved away from the door in some places or has creases, try heating it with a hairdryer at low temperature. The heat will help the rubber straighten and return to its original shape, ensuring a tight seal.
Regularly check the tightness of the door in the first days after reinstallation. Circuit tightness is the key to saving energy and long life of the compressor of your Biryusa refrigerator. A properly installed door operates silently and efficiently.
Do you need to call a professional to rehang the door?
No, in most cases this can be done yourself with basic tools. However, if you are not confident in your abilities or are afraid of damaging the equipment, it is better to turn to professionals.
Is the warranty respected after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the law, re-hanging the door yourself is not grounds for refusal of warranty service if you have not damaged other components of the refrigerator in the process. However, if during dismantling the hinge is broken or the door is broken, this will not be a warranty case.
Why does not the door of the Biryusa refrigerator stick after rehanging?
This may be due to incorrect installation of the magnet or sensor. Also check that the seal is not twisted. Sometimes it takes time (up to 24 hours) for the seal to “sit” in a new place and straighten out.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built into the furniture?
This is possible, but much more difficult. You will need to completely remove the refrigerator from the niche to provide access to the sides. In some kitchen sets, the design does not allow opening the door without dismantling part of the furniture.