Removing drawers in the refrigerator Atlant seems like a simple task - until you encounter jammed guides or fragile plastic latches. Some models allow you to remove the containers in one movement, while others require gentle pressing on hidden latches. And if the box is frozen to the wall or deformed over time, the process turns into a puzzle with the risk of breaking the fasteners.
In this article we will analyze all types of fasteningswhich are used Atlant in refrigerators of different years of production - from classic models like MHM 1705 to modern NRB-series with system No Frost. We'll show you how to determine the type of fixation by external signs, what tools will be useful (spoiler: a flat screwdriver and a hair dryer are often enough), and what to do if the box is “stuck” to the slide. Let us separately focus on hidden danger - breakage of guides if incorrect extractionwhich leads to expensive repairs.
If you are planning wash the refrigerator, replace the drawer or simply optimizing space, the instructions below will save you time and nerves. And for those who are afraid of damaging the plastic, we have added a video demonstrating the process on real models.
Types of drawers in Atlant refrigerators: how to determine the fastening
Refrigerators Atlant equipped with boxes of three main types, and the algorithm for their removal depends on this. An error in determining the type often leads to broken latches or bent guides.
Here are the key features by which containers can be classified:
- 📌 Classic removable drawers (models before 2015): plastic baskets with open slots on the sides that simply slide forward until they stop. Typical representatives: MHM 1601, MX 2824.
- 🔄 Drawers on skids (series NRB, HM): metal or plastic guides with locks. They require pressing the lever or lifting up before removing.
- 🔒 Boxes with hidden latches (models with No Frost): latches are hidden under the front panel, often blocked when closed door. Examples: Atlant XM 6025-031, NRB 1675.
To accurately identify the type, inspect the side walls of the box:
- 🔍 If you see open grooves without additional buttons, this is a classic option.
- 🔍 The presence metal runners with plastic stops indicates a slide.
- 🔍 Blind walls without visible fasteners - a sign of hidden latches (more often in models with No Frost).
If in doubt, try slightly pulling the drawer towards you: classic models will move immediately, and drawers on the sled will “lock” until you press latch.
⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators Atlant with a system Full No Frost (for example, XM 4625-100) the lower drawers often have double latches one in front, the other in the back. They need to be pressed out. at the same time!
Tools and preparation: what is needed for dismantling
In most cases, drawers are removed with bare hands, but for “stubborn” models or stuck ones details will come in handy:
| Tool | Purpose | When needed |
|---|---|---|
| Flat screwdriver (3–5 mm) | Prying latches, unlocking latches | For boxes on skids and hidden fastenings |
| Silicone suction cup (∅ 5–7 cm) | Safe removal of stuck boxes | If the box is “sucked” to wall |
| Hair dryer (cold air mode) | Heating the plastic to soften the latches | For older models with fragile latches |
| Plastic spatula | Prying without scratches | Alternative to a screwdriver for delicate surfaces |
| WD-40 or silicone grease | Processing the guides | If the box moves hard sled |
Before starting work:
Unplug the refrigerator (if you plan to wash it)
Take all the products out of the drawer
Put a towel on the floor (in case of a fall)
Prepare a container for small parts (fasteners, plugs)-->
If the refrigerator is is not turned off, avoid contact of tools with metal parts of the case - risk of short circuit if moisture gets in!
Step-by-step instructions: how to remove a classic drawer
Classic drawers (without slides and hidden fasteners) are found in models Atlant before 2015: MHM 1705, MX 2824, MX 2831. Their main advantage is ease of dismantling, but there are nuances with stuck guides.
Removal algorithm:
- Pull out the drawer until it stops forward If it does not come out completely, pull harder - there are often no limiters.
- Lift the front part the drawer by 1-2 cm and pull it towards you. The fasteners in the back are usually wider, so lifting them at the front frees them.
- If the box does not budge, inspect the side grooves for dirt or ice. If necessary. clean them with a plastic card.
Typical problems and solutions:
- 🧊 The box is frozen to wall: use a hair dryer (cold air mode) or a silicone suction cup to separate the plastic without effort.
- 🔧 The back part is jammed: check if the plastic stop on the back wall of the refrigerator is bent. Gently bend it with a screwdriver.
- 🔄 Drawer falls out when pulled out: this is a sign of worn guides. After removal, inspect the grooves for cracks.
What to do if the drawer breaks during removal?
If the latch breaks off or the wall is cracked, do not try to repair the drawer with glue - the plastic Atlant does not hold the load after repair. It is better to order an original part according to the model code. (located on the nameplate inside the camera) or choose a universal analogue with the same dimensions.
For models with transparent drawers (for example, Atlant MXM 1840), be careful - their plastic is thinner and more fragile than that of opaque containers.
Dismantling drawers on skids: dealing with latches
Boxes on skids are installed in refrigerators Atlant series NRB, HM and some MX (for example, MHM 2835). Their key feature is metal or plastic guides with locks that lock the box in extreme positions.
Removal instructions:
- Pull out the drawer 2/3 lengths. Then it will rest against the stopper.
- Find the latch:
- 🔹 On metal slide this is usually a lever or button on the side wall of the guide.
- 🔹 On plastic there is a ledge that needs to be pressed up or down.
Visually, the locks look like this:
- 📸 Metal slides: L-shaped lever or button with a spring.
- 📸 Plastic guides: protrusion-"tongue" on the inside of the groove.
For models Atlant NRB 1675 and XM 6025 s telescopic slides (extend completely) the algorithm is different:
- Pull out the drawer until it stops.
- Press on red or orange buttons on the sides guides.
- Lift the drawer up 0.5–1 cm and pull it out.
⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators with with an inverter compressor (for example, Atlant XM 4426-100) the slides are often attached to the body with screws. If the guides are loose, they need to be tightened with a Phillips screwdriver before removing the box!
Hidden latches: how to remove drawers in models with No Frost
Refrigerators Atlant with the system No Frost (series HM, NRB after 2016) are equipped with drawers with hidden latches. They are not visible from the outside, and access to the latches is often blocked by the front panel. This complicates dismantling, but protects against accidental falling out of the boxes.
Step-by-step algorithm:
- Open the refrigerator door 90°. In some models, the latches are locked when the door is closed.
- Locate the latches:
- 🔍 Under the front panel of the drawer (often hidden under the rubber seal).
- 🔍 On the side walls closer to the back (press up or down).
If the latches do not budge:
- 🔧 Check if they are blocked ice on the guides. If necessary, defrost the refrigerator for 1–2 hours.
- 🔧 In models NRB 1675-100 the clamps sometimes “stick” due to moisture. Dry them with a hairdryer (cold air!).
- 🔧 If the plastic of the latch is cracked, do not try to remove the box by force - contact service. The cost of replacing a latch (~500 rubles) is lower than repairing a bent guide (~2000 rubles).
For drawers with double locks (front and back) procedure:
- Press front latch (under the panel).
- Pull out the drawer 10–15 cm.
- Press back latch (usually located at the bottom of the drawer).
- Remove the drawer completely.
Frequent errors and how to avoid them
Even with the apparent simplicity of the process, 70% of breakdowns of drawers and guides occur due to typical errors. Here's what you can't do when dismantling:
- 🚫 Pull the drawer at an angle it will deform the slide. Always pull out strictly horizontally.
- 🚫 Use forceif the lock is not pressed. First, inspect it for ice or dirt.
- 🚫 Use metal tools without protection. Wrap the screwdriver with electrical tape to avoid scratching the plastic.
- 🚫 Remove drawers with the refrigerator on (risk of moisture getting on the electronics).
- 🚫 Ignore cracks on the guides. Even a small crack will eventually lead to the box falling out.
Consequences of errors and how to eliminate them:
| Error | Consequence | How fix |
|---|---|---|
| Force removal of the drawer | Broken latch or bent slide | Replacement of the latch (~300–800 rub.) or guide (~1500–2500 rub.) |
| Use of sharp tools | Scratches on plastic, cracks | Polishing small scratches with paste GOI, replacing the drawer if there are cracks |
| Dismantling without turning off the power | Short circuit due to moisture | Drying the refrigerator for 24 hours, checking the electronics |
| Ignoring ice on the guides | Drawer jamming, plastic breakage | Defrosting the refrigerator, lubrication of slides with silicone |
Pay special attention to models with glass shelves (for example, Atlant XM 6321-100). If you remove the drawers carelessly, you can damage the shelf seals, which will lead to them falling out.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice after removing the drawer, that The slides wobble or are not fixed in the grooves, do not install the box back! This is a sign of wear on the housing mounts. Continued use will lead to breakage of the guides.
Installing the drawers back: nuances and verification
Installing the drawer in place seems easier than removing it, but there are also pitfalls here. Incorrect assembly can lead to misalignment, jamming, or even compressor breakdown (if the box blocks ventilation in models with No Frost).
Installation procedure:
- Clean the guides from dirt and moisture. Wipe them dry with a cloth.
- Align the slides (if they are removable). Make sure that they are symmetrically located relative to the walls of the refrigerator.
- Insert the drawer:
- 🔹 For classic drawers: the back part should go into the grooves first.
- 🔹 For slide: press the latch and push the drawer until it clicks.
- 🔹 For hidden latches: press the front panel until there is a characteristic click.
If the box does not lock:
- 🔧 Check if it is bent metal. slidesAlign them with pliers.
- 🔧 Make sure that the latches are not clogged with dirt. Clean them with a toothpick.
- 🔧 In models with No Frost check that it is not blocking drawer ventilation hole on the back wall.
For refrigerators with electronic display after installing the drawers:
- Close the door.
- Press the button
Resetor holdSuper Cool3 seconds (to reset sensor errors).
If the drawer creaks when movement:
- Lubricate the slides silicone grease (do not use petroleum-based oils!).
- Check that the drawer is not touching inner walls the refrigerator. If necessary, adjust the position of the guides.
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to remove the drawer without turning off the refrigerator?
Technically yes, but risky. In models with No Frost when the door is open for more than 1-2 minutes, intensive cooling is activated, which can lead to icing of the guides. In addition, if dismantled carelessly, moisture from the box may get onto the electronics. If the refrigerator is not turned off, at least switch it to the “Vacation” mode** (Vacation) to minimize risks.
The drawer was removed, but the slides remained inside. How to remove them?
The slides are attached to the refrigerator body with screws or latches. Algorithm:
- Unscrew the screws with a Phillips screwdriver (usually 2-4 pieces for each guide).
- If the slides are latched, pry them off with a flat screwdriver on the side.
- In models Atlant NRB the slides may be part of the body - in this case they do not need to be removed.
If you are not sure, take a photo of the mount before dismantling!
I broke the drawer latch. Is it possible to replace only it?
Yes, but not in all models. In refrigerators Atlant until 2018, latches were often sold separately (the article number is indicated in the instructions). For new models you will have to buy an assembled box. Average cost:
- Latch: 200–500 rubles.
- Assembled box: 1500–3500 rubles. (depending on the model).
To select a part, tell the seller full model number of the refrigerator (located on the nameplate inside the chamber).
How to remove a drawer in the freezer Atlant?
In freezers Atlant the drawers are removed in the same way as the fridge compartment, but there are nuances:
- 🧊 Thaw the chamber at least 1 hour, even if no ice is visible - the latches could have frozen over.
- 🔧 In models with manual defrosting (for example, MHM 1705) the drawers are often soldered to the guides. They need to be carefully separated with a knife.
- ⚠️ Do not use hot water to speed up defrosting - this will deform the plastic.
Can the drawers be washed in the dishwasher?
Depends on the material:
- ✅ Transparent plastic Drawers (polycarbonate) can be washed in PMM at temperatures up to 50°C.
- ❌ Opaque (ABS plastic) and boxes with metal inserts cannot be washed in PMM - they become deformed or rust.
For all types drawers prohibited use abrasive detergents (such as Pemolux) - they scratch the surface and dirt accumulates in microcracks.