Removing drawers in refrigerators of the Belarusian brand Atlant are often required not only for washing, but also for replacing damaged parts or defrosting. Owners of household appliances are often faced with a situation where the container simply cannot be removed with the usual movement, which causes panic and fear of breaking the plastic. Understanding the design of the storage system helps to avoid breakdowns and unnecessary repair costs.
The design of freezers and refrigerators in models Atlant can vary significantly depending on the series and year of manufacture. Some drawers are mounted on slides, others simply slide into slots, and others have hidden latches. Incorrect force during dismantling can lead to cracks in the plastic or breakage of the slide.
In this article we will examine in detail all the nuances of removing food containers in various modifications of refrigerators. You'll learn what to do if a drawer is jammed and what tools you might need to work safely. A competent approach will extend the life of your household appliances.
Design features of Atlant storage systems
Refrigerators Atlant are equipped with various types of drawers, which are divided into two main groups: for the refrigerator and for the freezer. The refrigerator compartment typically uses clear plastic containers mounted on glass shelves or special metal/plastic runners. The freezer is most often equipped with deep containers made of more durable but fragile plastic in the cold.
The key element of the design is the guide system. In budget models, the drawers rest on plastic protrusions on the walls of the chamber or on the edges of glass shelves. More expensive models with system No Frost or improved ventilation use telescopic or simple metal runners. Understanding the type of fastening is the first step to successful dismantling.
The plastic used by the manufacturer is designed for low temperatures, but with prolonged use it may lose elasticity. This is especially true for freezers, where the material becomes harder. That is why mechanical impact should be minimal and strictly dosed.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to forcefully pull out a frozen box. If strong resistance is felt, it means that the mechanism is blocked by ice or design features, and preliminary defrosting is required.
It is also worth considering that in some models the top drawer of the freezer may be integrated with the lid or have additional latches to fix the position. Studying the instructions for a specific model Atlant always gives an advantage, but even without it you can understand the fastening method by being careful.
Removing drawers in the refrigerator compartment
The process of removing containers in the main compartment of the refrigerator usually does not cause difficulties, but requires accuracy. In most models Atlant the refrigerator compartment drawers stand on glass shelves-lids or are inserted into special slides. Before starting the procedure, it is recommended to empty the container of products in order to reduce the weight and risk of falling contents.
If the box is installed on a glass shelf, you just need to lift it by the front edge and pull it towards you. In models with a system Multi Flow or similar, holes for air circulation may be located under the drawer. It is important not to scratch the glass or drop a heavy container on the floor.
In cases where the drawer is on pull-out guides, the action algorithm is as follows:
- 🧊 Pull the drawer out all the way, but do not use excessive force.
- 🧊 Find the fixation points: often these are plastic “tabs” on the sides or stoppers at the back.
- 🧊 Lift the front of the drawer at an angle of approximately 10-15 degrees.
- 🧊 Smoothly pull the container towards you while lowering the back to remove it from the grooves.
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the drawer cannot be removed due to that it is inserted into the guides of another shelf. The design Atlant assumes that shelves and drawers can be interchangeable within the same series, but not always. Check whether the adjacent shelf or protrusions on the chamber wall are interfering with removal.
How to remove drawers in the freezer
The freezer is a high-risk area for plastic parts. Here the boxes Atlant are exposed to extremely low temperatures, which makes the material brittle. The freezer design is often a cascade of drawers installed above each other or in the same plane with dividers.
To remove the lower drawers, you often need to first dismantle the upper ones. This is standard practice for ensuring access. The process looks like this:
- Open the freezer door and let the temperature level out a little (2-3 minutes).
- Remove the top drawer by pulling it towards you until it clicks or stops.
- If the drawer has a travel limiter, press the special latches on the sides runners.
- Remove the upper container and set it aside, freeing access to the lower levels.
In models with a system Low Frost or improved insulation, the drawers can be equipped with additional stiffening ribs that cling to the walls of the chamber. In this case, the movement must be strictly horizontal until the hooks disengage. A sharp upward or downward pull may break the plastic “ears.”
⚠️ Attention: If you hear the plastic crunching, stop pulling immediately. This is a signal that the box is jammed with ice or the wrong angle has been selected for removal.
Particular attention should be paid to boxes in the fast freezing zone. They may have a tighter fit. In some older models Atlant there were drawers that were fixed by simple friction against rubber seals on the walls. They need to be removed, slightly swaying from side to side.
☑️ Check before dismantling
The problem of freezing and methods of solution
The most common reason why it is impossible to remove the drawer from the refrigerator Atlant is the formation of an ice plug. Moisture that gets between the chamber wall and the box body freezes and tightly glues the parts together. An attempt to solve the problem by force is guaranteed to lead to breakdown.
To safely remove ice, you need to defrost the refrigerator. Unplug the appliance, open the doors and leave it for at least 4-6 hours, preferably overnight. You can speed up the process by placing containers of warm (not hot!) water inside. Using a hairdryer is allowed only at a minimum temperature and from a long distance so as not to deform the plastic.
There is a table that helps determine the reason for the drawer blocking:
| Symptom | Probable cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| The box does not move at all | Heavy icing of the runners | Complete defrosting of the chamber |
| The box moves tightly, with a creaking | Dirty guides | Cleaning and lubrication with silicone |
| The box is skewed | Breakage of the slide or overload | Even distribution of products |
| Crackling noise is heard when moving | Crack in the plastic | Replacing the box with a new one |
After defrosting, thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a dry cloth. Make sure there is no water left in the grooves or on the slide. Only then try to remove the box. If the problem occurs frequently, check the refrigerator door seal Atlant: perhaps it allows warm, moist air to pass through, which causes the formation of excess ice.
Why can’t you use a knife to break off ice?
The use of sharp metal objects is strictly prohibited. The sharp angle of the knife can easily penetrate the thin wall of a plastic box or, worse, damage the evaporator if ice has frozen on the chamber wall. This will lead to a refrigerant leak and costly repairs.
Replacement and repair of damaged parts
If the box is cracked or broken during operation, it must be replaced. Operation of a damaged container is unacceptable, since the sharp edges of the plastic can injure your hands, and through the cracks, cold air will be less retained, which will increase the load on the compressor.
To replace it, you will need to find an original spare part or a high-quality analogue. Look for markings on the bottom of the old drawer or in the technical documentation of the refrigerator Atlant. Often part numbers begin with a prefix indicating the series of the refrigerator. Compatibility is a critical parameter, since the geometry of the runners for different models may differ by millimeters, which will make installation impossible.
The process of installing a new box:
- ❄️ Make sure that the new box has warmed up to room temperature (if it was in stock or in unheated room).
- ❄️ Clean the guides in the chamber from dust and old ice residues.
- ❄️ Insert the back of the drawer into the grooves or onto the slide.
- ❄️ Smoothly lower the front part until fixation.
Check the ease of movement. The box should move smoothly, without jerking or distortion. If the new container is difficult to move, it may have been deformed during transportation. In this case, you can carefully warm it up with a hairdryer (carefully!) or leave it in a warm room for a day to restore its shape.
Rules for care and prevention of damage
To ensure that the boxes refrigerator Atlant serve for a long time and are easy to remove, they need to be properly cared for. Regular washing with warm water and a mild detergent will help remove grease and sticky food residues, which can act as adhesive, making removal difficult.
Do not overload containers. Plastic, although durable, has a bending strength. Constant overload leads to deformation of the bottom of the drawer, causing it to begin to cling to the guides. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for loading weight, especially for the bottom drawers of the freezer.
Every six months, it is recommended to carry out preventive lubrication of the plastic guides. Food grade silicone grease is best suited for this. It is odorless, safe for contact with food and does not freeze at low temperatures. Apply a thin layer of lubricant to the runners to ensure perfect gliding.
⚠️ Attention: Specifications and design of refrigerators may vary depending on the year of manufacture. If the described methods do not apply to your model, check the official user manual or contact a service center.
Following these simple rules will allow you to avoid situations where the drawer gets stuck at the most inopportune moment. Proper operation is the key to the long life of your household appliances.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can Atlant boxes be washed in the dishwasher?
Most plastic boxes Atlant are made made of polypropylene, which theoretically can withstand high temperatures. However, manufacturers do not recommend washing them in the dishwasher. Aggressive detergents and high temperatures can lead to clouding of the plastic, the appearance of microcracks and changes in geometry, which will make it difficult to install the box back.
What to do if the box is cracked in a living way?
If the crack is small and is not in a loaded area, you can try to carefully solder it with a soldering iron with a thin tip or fasten it with a special glue for plastic (for example, dichloroethane, but with caution due to toxicity). However, if the crack is through or located at the bottom/corner, it is better to replace the box. Repair in such cases is temporary and does not guarantee tightness.
Why does the drawer fall out when the door is opened?
This may indicate wear of the locking mechanisms or improper installation. Check whether the refrigerator is level (adjusting the legs). If the door is askew, gravity may cause the drawer to shift. Also check the integrity of the plastic travel stops on the skids themselves.
Where can you find the box number for ordering spare parts?
The part number is usually stamped on the bottom of the box or on its inner wall in the form of a raised code. The number can also be found in the exploded-view diagram (disassembly diagram) of your refrigerator model, which is available in service manuals or on the websites of spare parts suppliers for the refrigerator model.