Correct setting of the temperature in the refrigerator Atlant is a key factor that determines not only the duration of food storage, but also the service life of the unit itself. Many owners mistakenly believe that the colder the cold, the better, but this misconception often leads to spoilage of vegetables, excessive consumption of electricity and freezing of the evaporator. Two-chamber models require an individual approach to each zone, since the conditions for meat and fresh salad are radically different.
Modern models of the Belarusian manufacturer are equipped with mechanical regulators or electronic panels, which allows flexible control of the climate inside the chambers. Understanding the operating principles thermostat will help you avoid common mistakes and ensure ideal conditions for your inventory. In this article, we will look at what values to set on the scale and how often adjustments need to be made.
It is important to immediately note that standard factory settings are not always suitable for specific operating conditions, such as high ambient temperatures in the kitchen or frequent opening of doors. The optimal temperature in the main chamber should be from +2 to +5 °C, and in the freezer - no higher than -18 °C. It is these parameters that guarantee the preservation of taste and prevent the growth of bacteria.
Principles of operation of the thermostat in Atlant models
In most two-chamber refrigerators Atlant use a mechanical thermostat, which is a rotary knob with a digital designation. Users often confuse these numbers with degrees Celsius, which is a fundamental mistake. In fact, the scale from 1 to 7 (or from Min to Max) indicates the intensity of the compressor, and not the specific temperature on the shelf.
When you turn the knob towards higher numbers, you force compressor to work longer without rest breaks. This leads to deeper cooling of the internal volume. However, if you set the maximum value in a hot room in the summer, the refrigerator may simply not turn off, which will lead to overheating of the motor and the formation of an ice crust on the back wall.
⚠️ Attention: Suddenly changing the operating mode to maximum cold immediately after loading a large amount of warm food can lead to failure of the start relay. Allow the products to cool to room temperature before loading.
Electronic control, found in more expensive series, allows you to set precise degrees, but the principle remains the same: the system strives to maintain the set parameter by turning it on and off unit. Understanding this logic will help you correctly interpret the sensor readings and not panic if the refrigerator buzzes a little longer than usual after opening the door.
Recommended values for the main camera
The main compartment is designed for storing products that do not require freezing, but need to be cool. For most models Atlant with a drip defrosting system or system No Frost, the range from +3 to +5 degrees is considered ideal. It is at these indicators that the biochemical processes in vegetables and fruits slow down, preserving their freshness.
If you have a mechanical adjustment, then the “golden mean” is usually the position of the knob at number 3 or 4. This value provides a balance between effective cooling and economical energy consumption. When setting the regulator to 1 or 2, food can quickly deteriorate, especially in the summer when the kitchen is hot.
It is worth considering the zoning of the internal space. The temperature on the upper shelves is always slightly higher than on the lower ones, near the vegetable drawers. Therefore, it is better to place milk and ready-made dishes higher, and place raw meat and fish, which require a stricter regime, closer to the bottom of the chamber or on a glass shelf above the vegetable compartment.
☑️ Checking the conditions in the main chamber
Setting the freezer compartment
Freezer compartment in two-chamber refrigerators Atlant performs the critical function of deep freezing. Here the temperature should remain stably at -18 °C and below. In this mode, bacteria completely stop their life activity, and products can be stored for months without loss of properties.
For mechanical thermostats, this often corresponds to a knob position between 4 and 5, but the exact value depends on the ambient temperature in the room. If the room is very hot, you may need to move the control closer to maximum, but do so carefully and watch out for ice formation. In models with No Frost the system itself supports the desired mode, and you need to interfere with the settings less often.
The “Super Freeze” function, if provided in your model, allows you to temporarily lower the temperature to -24 °C and below. This is necessary when loading a large volume of fresh food so that they freeze quickly and evenly, without forming large ice crystals that tear the cellular structures of the meat.
Constant operation of the freezer in extreme cold mode (the maximum number on the regulator) unnecessarily leads to accelerated wear of the compressor and door seals. Use maximum values only in emergency cases or during initial loading.
What is crystallization of food?
During slow freezing, large, sharp ice crystals form inside the cells of meat. They destroy the structure of the fabric, and after defrosting a lot of juice flows out and the product becomes dry. Quick freezing at -24°C prevents this.
Table of correspondence between modes and seasons
External temperature has a direct effect on heat transfer. In winter, when the apartment is cool, the refrigerator works less intensively, and in summer, when the heating is on or the sun is scorching, the load on unit increases many times over. Therefore, seasonal adjustment of settings is a mandatory procedure for owners of equipment Atlant.
Below is a table that will help you navigate in choosing the position of the regulator depending on the time of year and type of load. Remember that these are average values, and it is better to make the final adjustment based on the readings of a thermometer placed inside the chamber.
| Season / Conditions | Room temperature | Recommended position (Mechanics) | Target t° in the chamber |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (heat) | +25...+30 °C | 4 - 5 | +2...+4 °C |
| Off-season | +18...+22 °C | 3 - 4 | +3...+5 °C |
| Winter (heating) | +20...+23 °C | 3 | +4...+6 °C |
| Loading products | Any | Max. (temporarily) | up to -24 °C |
Using the table allows you to extend the life of the equipment. If you see that in winter, when the regulator is set to “4”, the refrigerator practically does not turn off, and the food on the top shelf freezes, feel free to reduce the power to “2” or “3”.
Adjustment features in depending on the load
A full refrigerator and an empty refrigerator require different approaches to setup. An empty chamber cools faster, but it also heats up instantly from the air when the door is opened. A full chamber holds the cold better due to the heat capacity of the products, but it requires more time and energy to initially reach the mode.
If you plan to purchase groceries for a week in advance, it makes sense to set the regulator to a lower temperature (closer to 4-5) a few hours in advance. After loading the food, when it has cooled down, you can return the settings to standard mode. This will prevent a temperature jump in the center of the chamber, which could provoke the proliferation of microorganisms.
It is also important to position products correctly so as not to block air circulation, especially in models with No Frost. If you cover all the ventilation holes with bags, the temperature sensor may “think” that the cold has already set in and turn off the compressor while other corners of the chamber are warm.
⚠️ Attention: Never place hot pots or freshly cooked food inside the refrigerator. This will cause a sharp jump in temperature and humidity, forcing the compressor to wear out, and can lead to damage to neighboring products.
Diagnostics of problems through temperature conditions
The behavior of the refrigerator Atlant can tell a lot about its technical condition. If you have set the average values, but the food spoils or, conversely, freezes, this is a signal of a malfunction. For example, constant operation of the compressor without turning off with the thermostat in the normal position often indicates a leak refrigerant or wear of the door seal.
The opposite situation, when the refrigerator turns off too often, but it is warm inside, may indicate about a stuck thermostat or incorrect sensor calibration. In such cases, simply twisting the regulator knob will not help - you need to call a technician to diagnose and replace the components.
It is also worth paying attention to the formation of a snow coat. If a thick layer of ice builds up in the main chamber on the rear wall, and the regulator is set to minimum, the outflow of water may be impaired or the defrosting heating element is faulty (in No Frost models). Ignoring these symptoms can lead to expensive repairs.
The influence of the location of the refrigerator on the settings
The installation location of the equipment plays no less a role than the settings of the handles. If the refrigerator Atlant stands close to the wall, near the radiator or in direct sunlight, the cooling system has to work in enhanced mode. In such conditions, even the maximum position of the regulator may not provide the required cold.
It is necessary to provide a gap of at least 5-10 cm from the rear radiator grille to the wall for free air circulation. If it is not technically possible to move the equipment away, you will have to compensate for overheating with a lower thermostat setting, which will increase energy consumption.
It is also important to consider the noise level. When operating at maximum speed (position 6-7), the refrigerator hums louder. If the unit is located in the kitchen-living room, where you spend a lot of time, it makes sense to find a compromise between temperature and acoustic comfort, perhaps using position 3 and checking the freshness of the products more often.
What to do if the Atlant refrigerator does not keep the temperature even at maximum?
If, when the regulator is positioned at the maximum value, the products in the main chamber are warm, but in the freezer they melt ice, most likely there is a freon leak or the capillary tube is clogged. It could also be due to a loose door seal. Check the seal, clean the condenser at the back and, if the problem is not solved, contact service.
Is it possible to store the Atlant refrigerator at sub-zero temperatures?
Transportation and storage at temperatures below +5 °C are not recommended by the manufacturer. The oil in the compressor thickens, and when turned on in a warm room, water hammer or jamming of the mechanism may occur. If the equipment has been exposed to frost, let it stand in a warm place for at least 24 hours before turning it on.
How often do you need to defrost a refrigerator with the No Frost system?
The No Frost system automatically removes moisture, so forced defrosting is rarely required - once a year is enough for hygienic cleaning. However, if you notice a decrease in efficiency or the appearance of an odor, the procedure should be carried out unscheduled, having first defrosted the unit completely.