Ge Gcg1200s5bw, Gcg1200s3bw, Gcg1200s2bw, Gcg1230s1wb, Gcg1230s3wb Owner's Manual

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Safe~

, Operating Instructions, Tips

Appliance
Compacting
Loading

Operating Your Compactor .....................4, 5

Removing Full Trash Bag ..............................7

Trash Bag Installation ....................................6

~~;.~

Care and Cleaning

Cleaning, Inside and Outside .......................8

Changing Color Panel ....................................9

instructions .........................3

Registration..................................2

.....................................................7

.............................................................6

Fash

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‘@

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Compactor

Problem

More questions

GE Answer

Installation

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Electrical Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Consumer Services

Model and Serial Numbers ..........................2

Repair Service

Warranty ........................................Back Cover

Solver...............................l

?...call

Center@

800.626.2000

...................l5

.................................................2

I

.

10

.

10

GE

Ouality

Product

Models:

GCG1200

GCG1230

I

—

mLP

US

~LP

YOU...

Before using your
compactor, read this
book carefully.

It is

intended to help you operate

and maintain your new compactor
properly.

Keep it handy
your questions.

If

you don’t understand something
or need more help, write (include
your phone number):

Consumer Affairs
GE Appliances
Appliance Park
Louisville, KY 40225

for

answers to

Write down the model
and serial numbers.

You’ll find them on a label on the
cabinet behind the drawer front.

These numbers are also on the
Consumer Product Ownership
Registration Card that came with
your compactor. Before sending in
this card, please write these
numbers here:

Model Number

Serial Number

Use these numbers in
correspondence or
concerning your compactor.

any

servi~e

calls

If you received a
damaged compactor...

Immediately contact the dealer
(or builder) that sold you the
compactor.

Save time and money.
Before you call for
service . . .

Check the Problem Solver in the
back of this book. It lists causes of
minor operating problems that you
can correct yourself.

IF YOU NEED SERVICE

To obtain service, see the Consumer Services page in
the back of this guide.

We’re proud of our service and want you to be
pleased. If for some reason you are not happy with the
service you receive, here are three steps to follow for
further

FIRST, contact the people who serviced your
appliance. Explain why you are not pleased. In most
cases, this will solve the problem.

help.

NEXT, if you are still not pleased, write all the
details—including your phone number—to:

Manager, Consumer Relations
GE Appliances
Appliance Park
Louisville, KY 40225

FINALLY, if your problem is still not resolved, write:

Major Appliance Consumer Action Panel
20 North
Chicago, IL 60606

Wacker

Drive

2

WARNING—When using this appliance,
always exercise basic safety precautions,

A

Q

This compactor is for household use

including the following:

only.

Use this appliance only for it’s intended
purpose as described in the Use and Care book.

Q

To prevent hazard of electrical shock, this

compactor must be properly installed and
grounded in accordance with the Installation
Instructions before it is used. SAVE YOUR
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR
FUTURE USE SHOULD YOU MOVE OR
RELOCATE YOUR COMPACTOR. If you did
not receive an Installation Instruction sheet with
your compactor, you can obtain one by contacting
the service location nearest you.

. Close supervision is necessary when any

appliance is operated near children. Do not
allow the compactor to be used as a toy, or to run
unattended at any time.

●

Mrn

the key to OFF and remove it when not
compacting trash. This will help prevent anyone
from tampering with the compactor or children
from operating it.

Q

Do not push trash into the drawer with hands

or feet. Trash might contain broken glass, sharp
pieces of metal, or other sharp objects that might
cause injury.

●

When removing or carrying the trash bag,

keep the bag away from your body. Sharp objects
may have pierced it.

●

When cleaning the inside of the cabinet,

be careful. Glass fragments maybe stuck to
the ram or be lying in the bottom of the cabinet.

. When cleaning the trash drawer, be careful.

Glass fragments may be

imbedded

in the surface

of the drawer,

●

Do not touch moving parts.

●

Do not operate with a damaged cord

‘

set, plug, motor, or after damage in any
manner. Have the appliance examined,

/

%4

-

.4

repaired, or adjusted by an authorized serviceman.

●

Do not take apart this appliance. Incorrect

reassembly can cause electric shock when
subsequently used.

●

Use only for intended use as described in this

manual. Do not use other than manufacturer’s
recommended accessory.

●

Do not compact food waste such as raw meat

and

fish,

grapefruit rinds, personal hygiene
items and disposable diapers. These items create
very strong odors and should not go into the
compactor.

Precautions against unreasonable use of your
compactor:

●

Never compact shotgun shells, cartridges

for firearms, fireworks, etc., which are highly
explosive.

●

Never compact flammable materials such as

paint, oil-or gasoline-saturated rags, engine
starting fluid cans, paint thinner cans,

etc.—

spontaneous combustion or explosive vapor
concentrations could occur,

●

Never compact containers of toxic chemicals

such as strong insecticides or other poisonous

materials+ompaction

could release hazardous

fumes.

●

Never compact aerosol cans containing explosive

or highly toxic chemicals. (If you are sure the
aerosol cans contain non-hazardous materials such
as shaving cream, cheese spread and whipped
cream, they may be compacted.)

Q

Do not compact lighted cigarettes, cigars, or other

hot or burning items.

●

Unplug the compactor before making

any repairs. Note: We strongly

9

recommend that any servicing be

performed by a qualified person.

●

DO NOT USE AN ADAPTER PLUG

OR AN EXTENSION CORD WITH THIS
APPLIANCE.

●

Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable

vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or any
other appliance.

SAVE

T~SE

~STRUCTIONS

3

Drawer handle

-

.

.

\

YOUR COMPACTOR

‘Key-knob

.

oti

switch

stafl-

Adjustable
toe plate

— Drawer monitor

switch

— Model-serial

number plate

4

What It Does

Your compactor reduces household trash to as little as

1/4 of its original volume.

It compacts most refuse, including paper, cans,
bottles, jars, plastic containers, wrappings, sweepings
and some food wastes.

How it Works

Drop trash into a disposable bag that lines the trash
drawer and close the drawer. When you start the will notice compaction because the ram does not
compactor, an electrically-operated ram moves down
into the drawer, compacts trash, moves back up trash, compaction is transferred to the items below
again—and the compactor shuts off automatically.

NOTE: The trash drawer must be 1/3 full before you
travel all the way down into the drawer. By adding
until all trash is compacted.

Key Lock Switch

A key lock switch is provided for your protection as a safety measure.
When the key lock switch is in the OFF position, the compactor will not
operate. Lock the compactor when it is not in use, and remove the key for
safekeeping to keep children from operating the compactor or to prevent
anyone from tampering with it.

Drawer monitor switch

The compactor has a position monitor switch to ensure the drawer is in its
fully closed position for
the drawer being closed.

operaiton.

The compactor

will

not cycle without

5

USING YOUR COMPACTOR

fiash

bag installation

Before installing a new bag, be sure:

1. The drawer side is securely locked.

2. The container is clean and free of sharp debris that
may puncture the bag.

Reinforced polyethylene bags came with your
compactor and are ready to be installed.

You must use the specially designed heavy-duty
trash bags included with your compactor. These

bags are available from your dealer or Factory Service
Center. Ask for catalog number

WC60X5017.

If you
prefer, you can order by mail. A handy order form is
provided with your compactor and is included in every
replacement bag package.

1.

Fit the bag caddy
into the drawer.

2. Place bag into
drawer. Open bag
and pull top edges
over the drawer top.

3. Lock bag in place
by pulling the four

prepunched

holes
over the bag retainer
buttons. Holes

will

expand over the buttons
without harming the bag.

4. Press inside of bag
against the drawer

bottom, sides and
corners for a

smooth fit.

After installing
a trash bag, the
compactor is

ready to use.

Loading

Lift the trash drawer handle or
press the touch-toe bar and

drawer out.

● Bottles and large cans compact

best when laid flat near the center
of the drawer.

pull

the

● To help keep the ram

clean

when
compacting messy food waste,
place a couple of folded sheets of
newspaper or a large grocery bag
on top of the load to be
compacted.

● Folded newspaper will also help

prevent glass fragments from
flying out of the drawer when
compacting a large glass bottle,
or several bottles or jars, or any
other items that might shatter.

● Items too bulky to go into the

drawer can be folded to fit. If it
cannot be folded to fit into the
drawer, do not attempt to force it
in.

● Although it is not necessary to

compact until the drawer is full
or nearly full, we suggest that,
for maximum compaction, you
start the compactor each time a
significant amount of trash is
added.

6

Compacting

To start the compactor:

Make sure the drawer is fully closed.
Turn the key-knob to START. Let go of the key-knob.

The motor will start and compacting will proceed.

CAUTION: DO NOT FORCE KEY WHEN
TURNING. The key should always rotate easily.
Forcing may break the key and damage the switch.

The

ram

travels downward into the drawer,
compacting the trash. At the bottom of the stroke, the
ram automatically reverses direction, retracts out of
the drawer, returns to its starting position, and the
compactor shuts off automatically.

The cycle takes about one minute. As the trash drawer
fills, cycle time gets progressively shorter.

To Stop Compacting

Glass bottles can make a loud noise when they break
during compaction. This is normal. Also, bottles in
the trash drawer will not always break during the first
cycle. Breaking glass and associated noise may occur
several cycles later, depending on the type and
volume of

When bottles and cans are compacted, small tears in
the bag may occur. This is normal and in no way
affects the performance of the compactor. Always use
the bag caddy to carry the compacted trash to storage
or pick-up areas, and keep the bag away from your
body to prevent injury from sharp objects that may
have pierced the bag.

CAUTION: When emptying waste baskets into the
trash drawer, some items may spill into the compactor
behind the drawer. Items behind the drawer could
prevent it from closing completely and prevent the
compactor from operating. To remove such items
from behind the drawer, open the drawer and, if
necessary, remove it to clean them out. See Care
and Cleaning instructions.

the

trash.

The compactor may be stopped at any time by turning
the key to
compacting ram moves back up to its starting position.
You can then open the drawer. To restart the compactor
turn the Key-Knob to START.

To Remove a Full

1. Pull

2. Remove top of bag from

bag

up all four bag cuffs.

3. Close bag with twist
ties provided.

LOCWOFF. Turn the key-knob to ON and the

fiash

the drawer completely open.

retainer buttons.

Pull

Bag:

dorv

4. Push Side-Lock Latch
down and tilt drawer
side open.

5. Lift bag by bag
carrier handles.

7

CAm Am CLEAN~G

As is true of most appliances, proper care is needed to give you continued satisfaction. Before cleaning the
compactor, turn the Key-Knob to the OFF position and remove. If you will be away for more than a
remove the compactor bag. Lock the compactor and remove the Key-Knob. Store the Key-Knob in a safe place.

The inside and outside of your compactor are finished with durable baked-on enamel.

Cleaning—Outside

couple

of days,

Keep the outside clean. Do not wipe with a soiled
residue that can damage the paint. Do not use harsh or gritty cleansers or scouring pads
that may mar the finish. Apply a coat of
new, and then several times a year. Appliance Polish and Wax Cleaner (Cat. No.

WR97X216) is available from GE Parts and Service Centers.

kitchetiappliance wax when the compactor is

dishwashing

cloth—it may leave a

Cleaning—Inside

To clean the drawer interior:

1.

Remove the bag. See “Using Your Compactor” section.

2. Wear protective gloves. There may be bits of glass
in the drawer.

3. Press Side-Lock
Latch down.

4. Hold Side-Lock Latch and
tilt side of drawer until the
latch clears the drawer front.

NOTE: Drawer side can

be removed by tilting and
sliding it out.

5. Wash with damp cloth using warm, sudsy water.
Rinse and then dry with a soft cloth.

6. If drawer side was removed,
tilted position.

7. Press the Side-Lock Latch down while pressing the
side to the upright position.

8. Lock the Side-Lock Latch.

To clean the cabinet interior:

slide

it back into the

4. Lift the front to clear
the drawer stops.

5. Grasp the drawer on the sides.

6. Pull it out the rest of the way.

7. Set it down gently.

8. Vacuum inside of cabinet.
Liquid

should be cleaned up by
hand, or use a vacuum
designed to pick
up liquid.

9. Wash, rinse and dry inside.

Wipe off the ram cover:

1. Wear protective gloves. There

may be bits of glass on the

ram cover.

2. Wipe glass particles off
ram cover with a cloth or
paper towels.

3. Use warm, sudsy water to
remove foods. Rinse and then
dry with a soft cloth.

spills

or wet trash

1.

Wear protective gloves.
There may be bits of glass

in the cabinet.

2. Pull the drawer out
until it stops.

3. Note the tracks in which the

drawer rollers move.

8

4. Replace drawer.

~STALLATION

Changing Your Compactor’s Color

The color panel on the front of your compactor’s

drawer reverses to another color.

To change the color of your compactor’s front panel,

follow the directions below. All you need is a
medium-sized screwdriver.

1.

Slide drawer out.

2. Remove two
screws shown.

3. Remove handle.

4. Remove the color
panel and reverse. Be

careful+dges

be sharp.

OR

Place extra

may

panel

at

),

w

h

M

j i

.

0

.

---

*

f

.

0- ~

-

“4

-w

t

7. Replace handle
and screws.

8. Slide drawer back

OPTION: Match your
kitchen’s color scheme by
replacing the color panel

with your own creation
(wallpaper, paneling). See
Installation Instructions.

in.

*

‘:$:;:::;’ed

5. Make sure panels are
all the way down.

6. Be sure to replace cardboard spacer in
its former position.

I

~

mSTALLATIONWQUIWMENTS

MPORTANT...Please

Read

CarefuUy.

How to connect electricity

Caution: Before Plugging In Compactor, Read The
Following Electrical Requirements.

Caution: For Personal Safety, Do Not Use
An Extension Cord Or Adapter
This Appliance.

Do Not Under Any Circumstances, Cut Or
Remove The Third Grounding Prong From
The Power Cord.

Follow

Prevailing Local Codes And Ordinances.

This appliance must be supplied with
connected to an individual, properly grounded branch
circuit protected by a 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker or
time delay fuse.

If the electric supply provided does not meet the
above requirements, call a licensed electrician.

It is recommended that a separate
this appliance be provided.

National Electrical Codes Or

Plug With

120V,

cirucit

serving

60HZ and

only

Grounding Instructions

This appliance must be
grounded. In the event
of a malfunction or
breakdown, grounding
will reduce the risk of
electric shock by providing
a path

of least resistance

for electric current.
This appliance is equipped with a cord having an

equipment grounding conductor and a grounding

plug.

The plug must be plugged into an appropriate
outlet that is properly installed and grounded in
accordance with local codes and ordinances.

Danger: Improper connection
grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric
shock. Check with a qualified electrician if you
are in doubt as to whether the appliance is
properly grounded.

Do not modify the plug with this appliance. If it

will

not fit the outlet installed, have a proper outlet

installed by a qualified electrician.

Ensure proper ground
exists before use

of the equipment

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

COMPACTOR DOES
NOT OPERATE

DRAWER IS
HARD TO CLOSE

DRAWER WILL
NOT OPEN

LITTLE OR
NO APPARENT
COMPACTION

● May not be plugged into a live electrical outlet.

● If plug is secure and compactor still

fails

to operate, plug a lamp or small
appliance into the same outlet to determine if there is a tripped circuit breaker or
burned out fuse.

● Key lock switch may not be in ON position.

● Key lock switch may not have been held at START long enough to start the

compaction cycle.

Q

Drawer may not be firmly closed.

● Compactor has an automatic thermal cutout. If you have just compacted

repeatedly, this protector may have opened the motor circuit. Wait a few minutes
and the cutout

● Trash may have fallen behind the drawer and is preventing the safety switch

will reclose

automatically.

from being closed.

● Drawer will open only when the ram is all the way up.

● To raise the ram, turn the Key-Knob to START and release.

● Drawer must be at least 1/3 full of trash before you will see any appreciable

amount of compacting because the ram does not travel all the way to the
bottom. Trash in bottom of drawer will be crushed during later
compaction cycles.

● Is the drawer loaded properly? If any thing gets between the ram and the

drawer, the ram will return to the “up” position, without compacting.

● Compacting works best when only a few items are loaded. Use the compacting

cycle frequently for best

resutls.

I

If you need more help.. call, toll free:

GE Answer Center”

800.626.2000
consumer information service

11

NOTES

NOTES

13

NOTES

14

Wdll

Be There

With the purchase of your new GE appliance, receive the
assurance that if

from

GE,

wdll

You

ever need information or assistance

be there. All you have to do is call–toll-free!

GEAnswer Center@

80~6262000

I}Home

Repair

Service

80MEXARES
(80M32-2737)

AGE

consumer service
will provide expert repair service,
scheduled at

fi)r yt)u.

a

time that’s convenient.

Many GE (;onsurner Service
company-operated locations

you

service

t{~day

yourc{mvenience (7:()()

weekdays,
days). Our f’actov-trained technicians

knowyour appliance inside and
out-so” most repairs can be handled

in just (me visit.

9:()()

a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Satur-

pr(~fessitmal

or

tomorrow, or

a.m. to

offer
7:00

at

p.m.

Service Contracts

80@626-2224

You can

GE [;(msumer

there after
chase a GE contract while your war-

ranty is still in eff’ect
a substantial discount.
year contract, you’re assured of future
service at today’s prices.

have the secure feeling that

Service will still

your

warranty expires. Pur-

and you’ll

With a multiple-

be

receive

Whatever vour (]uestion abou(

nlaior appliance, GE Answer

., . .

infi)rmati(m

help. Your call–and your

will be answered promptly and

courteously, And you can call any

time.

C~E

Answer

open 24 hours a day, 7

Telecommunication

,

service is available

Cent.er{~]

Detice for

11

question-

service is

days

a week.

tie

(;en;er”

Deaf

AII

anv GE

10

I

Parts

andAccessories

80@626-2002

Individu& qufified
om

appliances can have needed

parts

or accessories sent directly to

their home.

vides access
all GE Genuine Renewal Parts are

fully warranted. VISA, MasterCard

and Discover cards are accepted.

User maintenance
contained in this boofdet cover proce­dures intended to be performed

my user. Other servicing

shodd

vice personnel. Caution must be

exercised, since improper servicing
may cause unsafe operation.

The GE parts system pro-

t{)

over 47,000 parts... and

be referred to

to service their

instictions

by

generdy

qu~fied

ser-

.E.T!ONA.A

,-... ..”. .,.”. ,..,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

kr

Customers With

.”.”...

m.,.

Special Needs...

80~62E2000

Clpon

request, GE will

controls

for a variety of GE appliances,

and a brochure to assist in planning a

barrier-free kitchen
limited
free of’charge, call 800.626.2000.

or speech who have access

or
call
to

mobility. To
(lonsurners with impaired hearing

a conventional teletypewriter may

800-TDD-GEA(; (800-833-4322)

request information or service.

—.

provide Iiraille

for

pe;sc)ns

obtain these items,

wi;h

to a TDD

YOUR

COMPACTALL@

TRASH COMPACTOR

Save

proof of original purchase date such as your sales slip or

WHAT IS COVERED

WARRANTY

cancelled

FULL ONE-YEAR WARRANTY

For one year from date of original
purchase, we will provide, free of

charge, parts and service labor

in your home to repair or replace

pad

any

fails because of a manufacturing
defect.

of the compactor that

check to establish warranty period.

This warranty is extended to
the original purchaser and any
succeeding owner for products
purchased for ordinary home use
in the 48 mainland states, Hawaii
and Washington,
warranty is the same except that it
is LIMITED because you must pay
to ship the product to the service
shop or for the service technician’s
travel costs to your home.

All warranty service will be
provided by our
Centers or by our authorized
Customer
normal working hours.

Should your appliance need
service during warranty period or
beyond, call 800-GE-CARES

(800-432-2737)

Care@

D.C.

In Alaska the

Facto~ Service

servicers during

1’
II

I

●

WHAT IS NOT COVERED

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion

may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which

To know what your legal rights are in your state, consult your local or state consumer affairs office or your state’s Attorney General.

If further help is needed concerning this warranty, write:

Manager—Consumer Affairs, GE Appliances, Louisville, KY 40225

Sewice

Read your Use and Care material.

If you then have any questions
about operating the product,
please contact your dealer or our
Consumer Affairs office at the
address below, or call, toll free:

GE Answer Center”

800.626.2000
consumer information service

● Improper installation.

If you have an installation problem,

contact your dealer or installer.

You are responsible for providing
adequate electrical, and other
connecting facilities.

Warrantor: General Electric Company

trips to your home to

teach you how to use the product.

“ Replacement of house fuses or ,

resetting of circuit breakers.

● Failure of the product if it is used

for other than its intended

purpose or used commercially.

● Damage to product caused

by accident, fire, floods or acts
of God.

WARRANTOR IS NOT

RESPONSIBLE FOR

CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

va~

from state to state.

I

I

Pafi No. 9870385

Pafi No. 165 D3080P260

Pub.

No.

49-5556

6-92 CG

(

GCG120(

GCG123(