Any owner of household appliances sooner or later is faced with the need to do general cleaning or rearrange products so that they take up less space. Brand refrigerators Atlant, popular due to their reliability and affordability, have different designs of internal space, and it is not always obvious how to remove one or another element. Incorrect actions can lead to breakage of plastic fasteners or, worse, to broken glass.
In this article we will analyze in detail the dismantling algorithms for different types of shelves found in models of the Belarusian manufacturer. You will learn about the nuances of working with tempered glass, features of removing grates in the freshness zone and safety rules that will help maintain the neat appearance of your kitchen. Remember that regular maintenance will extend the life of the unit.
Before you begin any active actions, you need to prepare your workspace. Make sure there is a free surface nearby, covered with a soft towel, where you can temporarily place the removed parts. This will prevent scratches or chips during operation.
Preparation for dismantling and safety measures
The first and most important step is emptying the refrigerator compartment from the products. Heavy cans and bulky packages interfere with visibility and increase the risk of accidentally hitting the glass during handling. Remove all contents, including the door baskets if they are removable, and place the food in a cool place or cooler bag.
Next, turn off the power. While it's not always technically necessary to remove shelves, safety requires minimizing electrical and water risks, especially if you plan to clean the interior surfaces right away. Let the unit sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the refrigerant to settle.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to forcefully pull out a shelf if it is stuck. A sudden movement can lead to the destruction of glass and injury to hands from sharp fragments.
Prepare a clean rag and a bowl of warm water. If the shelves have not been washed for a long time, a sticky coating may have formed on them, which makes the surface slippery. It is dangerous to touch wet glass with dry hands - it may slip out. Determine in advance what types of fasteners are installed in your model Atlant: these can be plastic stops, metal guides or a rail-groove system.
Removal of standard glass shelves
Most models Atlant equipped with classic shelves made of tempered glass, which rest on plastic sides or metal pins around the perimeter of the chamber. The process of extracting them seems simple, but has its own technical nuances. The main mistake users make is trying to lift the shelf vertically upward, without taking into account the geometry of the back wall.
First, carefully pull the shelf towards you, about 2-3 centimeters. This action is necessary to remove the front edge of the glass from the fixing grooves or free it from the restrictive projections. In some modifications, the front plastic holders may have special latchess that need to be slightly lifted up.
After the front part is released, do not rush to pull further. Assess the situation from behind: often the rear edge of the glass rests on the ridges on the inside wall of the refrigerator or on the condensate drainage system. Smoothly lift the front of the shelf up at an angle of 10-15 degrees. This will allow the back edge to disengage.
The final stage is complete removal. Holding the shelf with both hands on the sides (by the ends), smoothly pull it out. Make sure that the corners of the glass do not touch the plastic walls of the chamber, since sharp edges can leave deep scratches on the inner plastic, which will then be difficult to wash.
Removing the grilles in the freshness zone and zero chamber
In more modern models Atlant, especially two-chamber ones, there is an optimal storage zone, often called “zero chamber” or freshness zone. The design of the shelves here differs from the standard ones, as they are often made in the form of metal gratings or special plastic trays with perforations.
Metal gratings usually do not have rigid fixation. They lie on plastic guides built into the side walls of the compartment. To remove such a grille, simply lift it by one of the far corners and pull it towards you. However, be careful: metal can be cold and slippery.
If we are talking about glass inserts in the freshness zone, they often have a complex shape to fit tightly to the walls. In such cases, the instructions may recommend removing the side restraints first. Look for small plastic tabs on the sides of the chamber that need to be bent.
☑️ Safely removing the grille
Pay special attention to ventilation systems. The freshness zone often has holes for air circulation. When removing the shelf, make sure you do not damage the flaps or plastic barriers covering the ducts. Their breakdown will disrupt temperature conditions the entire refrigerator.
Design features of models with the No Frost system
Refrigerators Atlant with the system No Frost (or “complete No Frost”) have a fundamentally different internal chamber design. There are no usual protruding shelves-sides here; instead, rail guides are used, along which the shelves slide out like drawers. This is done for convenience and uniform distribution of cold air.
To remove a shelf in such a system, it must be pulled out all the way. The slides often have special stops installed to prevent the shelf from accidentally falling during normal use. To activate them, you need to lift the front edge of the shelf or press the special latches on the sides.
After removing the stopper, the shelf is removed by moving upwards and towards you. It is important not to warp it, as the plastic runners can jam in the grooves. If the shelf is tight, check to see if any crumbs or pieces of ice have gotten into the guide mechanism.
| System type | Fixing mechanism | Removal direction | Risk of damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static (Drip) | Supporting sides | Up and towards you | Medium (chips of edges) |
| No Frost | Rail guides | Up after extension | Low (breakage of runners) |
| Fresh zone | Built-in grooves | Strictly horizontal | High (cracks) |
| Minibar | Plastic stops | Diagonal extraction | Medium |
Why can a shelf get stuck?
Often the reason jamming becomes ice in the grooves or deformation of the plastic due to overload. If the shelf cannot be removed, do not use force - let the refrigerator defrost or check whether there is an overly heavy pan on the shelf that has bent the glass.
Complicated cases: jammed and damaged elements
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the shelf is tightly stuck. This can happen because the spilled liquid (syrup, oil, grease) has dried and stuck the glass to the plastic guides. In this case, mechanical impact is dangerous.
Try to gently warm the problem area with a hair dryer at the minimum temperature. Warm air will soften frozen dirt, and the shelf can be moved. Do not use boiling water or an open flame under any circumstances - a sudden temperature change will cause it to tempered glass burst.
If the fastening mechanism itself is damaged (the plastic tooth or guide is broken), the shelf cannot be used in this form. The unstable position of the glass creates the risk of the entire contents collapsing onto the products below. Temporarily use supports or replace the faulty element.
⚠️ Attention: If you find a crack in the glass shelf, replace it immediately. Even microscopic damage under load from food can lead to instant destruction of the entire plate.
To replace broken plastic holders, you can contact an authorized service center Atlant or find original spare parts by the model number of your refrigerator. The use of non-original parts can lead to a loose fit of the glass.
Rules for washing and drying before installation
After successful dismantling, the maintenance stage begins. Glass shelves can be washed under running water using mild detergents. Avoid abrasive sponges and powders, which leave micro-scratches that make the glass dull and less durable.
Plastic elements and metal grilles also require careful handling. Rinse off all cleaning product thoroughly, as residue may impart an unpleasant odor to food or cause a chemical reaction if it comes into contact with food. Pay special attention to corners and joints.
The most critical point is drying. It is strictly forbidden to install wet shelves in the refrigerator. The water remaining on the surface will turn into an ice crust at low temperatures, which will “glue” the shelf to the base. It will be extremely difficult to wash it next time.
Wipe all elements with dry microfiber or paper towels. Make sure that there is no moisture left in the grooves and fastenings. Only after complete drying can you begin assembly.
Reverse installation and check
Installation of the shelves is carried out in the reverse order. Pay close attention to the orientation of the glass: many shelves Atlant have a front and a back, which may differ in shape or location of the limiting beads. By mixing up the sides, you may not fully insert the shelf into the grooves.
Insert the shelf smoothly, without jerking. Place the rear edge into the guides or supports first, then lower the front. There should be a slight click or sensation of a tight fit. Rock the shelf from side to side - it should sit firmly and not wobble.
After installing all the elements, conduct a visual inspection. Make sure there is nothing blocking the refrigerator door from closing. Sometimes an incorrectly inserted shelf can move back and rest against the ventilation system or door seal, which will break the seal of the chamber.
Plug in the refrigerator and let it reach temperature before loading food. During the first hour, listen to the operation of the unit: the absence of extraneous sounds (grinding, knocking) will confirm that all elements are installed correctly and are not in contact with moving parts or air flows.
Can glass shelves be washed in a dishwasher?
Manufacturer Atlant usually does not recommend washing glass shelves in the dishwasher. Aggressive detergents and high temperatures can damage the special glass coating or cause it to become cloudy. In addition, strong water pressure can dislodge the shelf, and it will break against other objects.
What to do if the shelf cracks during removal?
If a crack appears, the shelf cannot be used. Order a new original spare part, indicating the exact model of the refrigerator. Temporarily, you can use a durable sheet of plywood or plastic, cut to size, but only as a temporary solution until you buy a replacement.
How to remove a shelf if the plastic holder is broken?
If the holder is broken and does not hold the glass, you need to remove the shelf with an assistant who will hold the glass while you carefully remove it from the surviving fasteners. It is prohibited to operate a refrigerator with an incomplete set of holders due to the risk of collapse.
What is the best way to wipe glass to avoid streaks?
For perfect cleanliness, use a solution of water and vinegar (1:1 ratio) or special glass cleaning products. Wipe the surface with crumpled newspaper or microfiber - these materials do not leave lint and effectively remove greasy deposits.