GE GTE16GSHSS, GTE16DTHCC, GTE15CTHRBB User Manual
QUICK USE & CARE
Refrigerators-Top Freezer
SAFETY
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING
GE Appliances Website
For more information on your refrigerator’s operation, visit www.GEAppliances.com or call
800.GECARES (800.432.2737). In Canada visit GEAppliances.ca or call 800.561.3344.
REFRIGERATOR SAFETY INFORMATION
This is the safety alert symbol. This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can kill or hurt you and others. All safety
messages will follow the safety alert symbol and the word “DANGER”, “WARNING”, or “CAUTION”. These words are defined as:
DANGER
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire, explosion, electric shock, or injury when using your
refrigerator follow these basic safety precautions:
This refrigerator must be properly installed and located in
accordance with the Installation Instructions before it is used.
Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning and making repairs.
NOTE: Repairs must be performed by a qualified Service Professional.
Replace all parts and panels before operating.
Because of potential safety hazards under certain conditions, we
strongly recommend against the use of an extension cord. However,
if you must use an extension cord, it is absolutely necessary that it
be a UL-listed (in the United States) or a CSA certified (in Canada),
3-wire grounding type appliance extension cord having a grounding
type plug and outlet and that the electrical rating of the cord be 15
amperes (minimum) and 120 volts.
To prevent suffocation and entrapment hazards to children, Remove
the fresh food and freezer doors from any refrigerator before
disposing of it or discontinuing its use.
Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and liquids in
the vicinity of this or any other appliance.
Power to the refrigerator cannot be disconnected by any setting
on the control panel, refrigerator must be unplugged to remove
power.
Do not allow children to climb, stand or hang on the door handles or
the shelves in the refrigerator. They could seriously injure themselves.
In refrigerators with automatic icemakers, avoid contact with the
moving parts of the ejector mechanism, or with the heating element
that releases the cubes. Do not place fingers or hands on the
automatic ice making mechanism while the refrigerator is plugged in.
Do not clean glass shelves or covers with warm water when they
are cold. Glass shelves and covers may break if exposed to sudden
temperature changes or impact, such as bumping or dropping.
Tempered glass is designed to shatter into many small pieces if it
breaks.
Keep fingers out of the “pinch point” areas; clearances between the
doors and between the doors and cabinet are necessarily small. Be
careful closing doors when children are in the area.
Do not touch the cold surfaces in the freezer compartment when
hands are damp or wet, skin may stick to these extremely cold
surfaces.
Do not refreeze frozen foods which have thawed completely.
Before replacing a burned-out light bulb, the refrigerator should
be unplugged in order to avoid contact with a live wire filament. (A
burned-out light bulb may break when being replaced.)
Pub. No. 49-60697-1 245D1573P001 03-14 GE
Safety
WARNING
Explosion Hazard.
Keep flammable materials and vapors, such as gasoline, away from refrigerator. Failure to do so can result in fire, explosion, or death.
CONNECTING ELECTRICITY
WARNING
Plug into a grounded 3-prong outlet.
Do not remove the ground prong.
Do not use an adapter.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
death, fire, or electrical shock.
Do not, under any circumstances, cut or remove the third (ground) prong from the power cord.
For personal safety, this appliance must be properly grounded.
The power cord of this appliance is equipped with a 3-prong (grounding)
plug which mates with a standard 3-prong (grounding) wall outlet to minimize the possibility of electric shock hazard from this appliance.
Have the wall outlet and circuit checked by a qualified electrician to make
sure the outlet is properly grounded.
Where a standard 2-prong wall outlet is encountered, it is your personal
responsibility and obligation to have it replaced with a properly grounded
3-prong wall outlet. Do not use an adapter.
The refrigerator should always be plugged into its own individual electrical outlet which has a voltage rating that matches the rating plate.
Electrical Shock Hazard.
A 115 Volt AC, 60 Hz, 15- or 20-amp fused, grounded electrical supply is
required. This provides the best performance and also prevents overloading house wiring circuits which could cause a fire hazard from overheated
wires.
Never unplug your refrigerator by pulling on the power cord. Always grip
plug firmly and pull straight out from the outlet.
Repair or replace immediately all power cords that have become frayed
or otherwise damaged. Do not use a cord that shows cracks or abrasion
damage along its length or at either end.
When moving the refrigerator away from the wall, be careful not to roll
over or damage the power cord.
PROPER DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD REFRIGERATOR
WARNING
Remove fresh-food and freezer doors from the refrigerator, prior to disposal. Failure to do so can result in
child entrapment which can lead to death or brain damage.
IMPORTANT:
Suffocation and child entrapment hazard.
Child entrapment and suffocation are not problems of
the past. Junked or abandoned refrigerators are still
dangerous even if they will sit for “just a few days.” If
you are getting rid of your old refrigerator, please follow the instructions below to help prevent accidents.
Before You Throw Away Your Old Refrigerator
or Freezer:
Take off the fresh food and freezer doors.
Leave the shelves in place so that children may not
easily climb inside.
Refrigerants
All refrigeration products contain refrigerants, which
under federal law must be removed prior to product
disposal. If you are getting rid of an old refrigeration
product, check with the company handling the disposal about what to do.
READ AND FOLLOW THIS SAFETY INFORMATION CAREFULLY.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
2
Installation Instructions
REVERSING THE DOOR SWING
BEFORE YOU START
• Unplug the refrigerator from its electrical outlet.
• Empty all door shelves, including the dairy compartment.
NOTICE: Do not let either door drop to the floor. To do so could damage the door stop.
TO REMOVE DOORS
1. Remove top hinge.
2. Lift off freezer door.
3. Remove the center hinge pin.
4. Lean the fresh food door forward and lift door off of lower hinge pin.
5. Be careful not to lose the spacer and washers.
STAINLESS STEEL HANDLE
6a. Remove handle screws from the top of fresh food door. Remove
handle screws from the bottom of freezer door.
7a. Loosen set screw on handle with the provided 1/8” wrench.
8a. Remove door handle.
9a. Change places between the handle fastener and plug button on
door front.
10a. 0RYHWKHSOXJEXWWRQVRQWRSDQGIURQWRIWKHGRRUWR¿OOWKH
now vacant holes.
11a. Transfer the door stop on the bottom of the door.
12a. Attach handle to fresh food door with screws at top of handle.
Use 1/8” allen wrench to tighten set screw at bottom of handle.
13a. Attach handle to freezer door with screws at bottom of handle.
Use the provided 1/8” allen wrench to tighten set screw at top
of handle.
14a. Attach badge on freezer door opposite the handle.
Top hinge
Hinge
bracket
Center Hinge
Pin
Washer
PLASTIC HANDLE ASSEMBLY
6b. Remove handle screws from the top of fresh food door. Remove
handle screws from the bottom of freezer door.
7b. Remove door handle on fresh food door by sliding the handle
XSRȺRIWKHIDVWHQHU5HPRYHGRRUKDQGOHRQIUHH]HUGRRUE\
VOLGLQJWKHKDQGOHGRZQRȺRIWKHIDVWHQHU
8b. Change places between the handle fastener and plug button on
door front.
9b. 0RYHWKHSOXJEXWWRQVRQWRSDQGIURQWRIWKHGRRUWR¿OOWKH
now vacant holes.
10b. Transfer the door stop on the bottom of the door.
11b. Attach handle to fresh food door by sliding handle down onto
fastener and with screws at top of handle.
12b. Attach handle to freezer door by sliding handle up onto
fastener and with screws at bottom of handle.
13b. Attach badge on freezer door opposite the handle.
3
Installation Instructions
REVERSING THE DOOR SWING (Cont.)
TO RE-HANG THE DOORS
1. Remove the hinge pin from the lower hinge bracket.
2. Remove the lower hinge bracket.
3. Install bottom hinge bracket on the opposite side of the
opening.
4. Install the lower hinge pin into the hinge bracket hole to the
outside of the refrigerator.
5. Remove the center hinge bracket.
Plastic
Switch the
hinge pin to the
opposite side of
the bracket.
Hinge
Pin
Plastic
Washer
Hinge
Bracket
Washer
Hinge
Pin
Hinge
Bracket
8. Install the center hinge pin into the center hinge bracket
9. Place the freezer door on top of the center hinge pin.
10. With the freezer door in place, replace install the top hinge
and into the hole in the fresh food door. Make sure the
washer is in place over the hinge pin on top of the bracket.
into the top of the freezer door. The holes in the hinge will
align with 2 of the holes on top of the refrigerator. Install
the 2 screws into the top hinge.
6. Install center hinge bracket on the opposite side of the
opening. (You will have to turn the hinge over to install.)
7. Position the fresh food door, tilted forward, over the lower
hinge pin and slide it into place.
4
Normal operating sounds.
www.GEAppliances.com
Newer refrigerators sound different from older refrigerators. Modern refrigerators have more features and use
newer technology.
Do you hear what I hear? These sounds are normal.
The new high efficiency
compressor may run
faster and longer than
your old refrigerator and
you may hear a high-pitched hum or pulsating sound
while it is operating.
You may hear a whooshing sound when the doors close.
This is due to pressure equalizing within the refrigerator.
HUMMM...
WHOOSH...
CLICKS, POPS,
You may hear the fans spinning at
high speeds. This happens when the
refrigerator is first plugged in, when the
doors are opened frequently or when
a large amount of food is added to the
refrigerator or freezer compartments. The
fans are helping to maintain the correct
temperatures.
WATER SOUNDS
CRACKS and CHIRPS
You may hear cracking or popping sounds when the
refrigerator is first plugged in. This happens as the refrigerator
cools to the correct temperature.
The compressor may cause a clicking or chirping sound when
attempting to restart (this could take up to 5 minutes).
Expansion and contraction of cooling coils during and after
defrost can cause a cracking or popping sound.
On models with an ice maker, after an ice making cycle, you
may hear the ice cubes dropping into the ice bucket.
The flow of refrigerant through the freezer cooling coils may
make a gurgling noise like boiling water.
Water dropping on the defrost heater can cause a sizzling,
popping or buzzing sound during the defrost cycle.
A water dripping noise may occur during the defrost cycle as ice
melts from the evaporator and flows into the drain pan.
Closing the door may cause a gurgling sound due to pressure
equalization.
5
Service.
Before you call for service, review the detailed troubleshooting tips in the Owner’s manual. If needed, service can be scheduled by
visiting us online GEAppliances.com or calling 800.GECARES 800.432.2737. In Canada visit GEAppliances.ca or call 800.561.3344.
Truth or Myth
Truth or Myth? Answer Explanation
The automatic ice maker in my
refrigerator will produce ice when the
refrigerator is plugged in to a power
receptacle.
I will never see frost inside the freezer
compartment.
Refrigerator door handles can be
easily tightened.
After starting the ice maker throw
away 24 hours of ice production.
Door removal is always required for
installation.
MYTH The refrigerator must be connected to water, and the ice maker must be turned
on. Make sure the ice maker is turned on, only after the water line is connected
and water is turned on. The ice maker can be turned off by switching it to the OFF
position.
The freezer must be 15 degrees or colder before the icemaker will produce ice. Please
allow at least 24 hours for the refrigerator to pull down and the unit’s temperature to
stabilize.
MYTH Frost inside the freezer typically indicates that the door is not properly sealed, or
has been left open. If frost is found, clear the frost using a plastic spatula and towel,
then check to ensure that no food packages or containers are preventing the freezer
door from closing. To help reduce to the potential for frost please make sure there
is proper clearance to the air supply and vents in the freezer to improve circulation.
Always cover food before loading into the refrigerator, moisture from open containers
can add to the frost load.
TRUE If door handles are loose or have a gap, the handle can be adjusted with set screws
located on the ends of the handles.
TRUE To avoid issues with odor and taste the first batch of ice should be discarded
MYTH Doors should only be removed when necessary to prevent damage from passage
way or access to final location. If doors are removed please review Reversing the
Door Swing section for re-hang procedure.
There is an adjustment to rear wheels. MYTH Front leveling legs are adjustable and should be used to balance the refrigerator.
Any All-Purpose cleaner can be used to
clean my refrigerator.
Gaskets will last longer with regular
cleaning and maintenance.
Doors may be shipped with protective
¿OPWKDWKDVWREHUHPRYHGEHIRUH
use.
Have more questions? For more information on your refrigerator or other GE appliances please visit
www.geappliances.com/videos
MYTH All-purpose cleaners are not recommended for use on the refrigerator.
TRUE Clean gaskets with warm soapy water. Make sure all folds are clean and dry after
TRUE 6PRRWK¿QLVKHGGRRUV6WDLQOHVV6ODWH*ORVV%ODFNDQG*ORVV:KLWHRU6LOYHU0HWDOOLF
Leveling legs are used to make initial fresh food door adjustment. There should be
approximately a ¼” fall from the front to back to ensure that the doors always close.
Do not use wax, polish, ammonia, bleach, or other products containing chlorine on for
any surfaces. Clean with a cloth dampened with soapy water. Dry with a soft cloth.
The stainless steel doors can be cleaned with a commercially available stainless steel
cleaner. Cleaners with oxalic acid such as Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser™ will
remove rust, tarnish and small blemishes. Use only a liquid cleanser free of grit and
rub in the direction of the brush lines with a damp soft sponge. Do not use appliance
wax or polish on the stainless steel.
cleaning. Make sure flanges are clear of any grit or grime. After cleaning the door
gaskets, apply paraffin wax or petroleum jelly to the door gaskets and hinges at the
hinge side. This helps keep the gaskets from sticking and bending out of shape.
ZLOOKDYHDFOHDUSODVWLF¿OPRQWKHGRRUWKDWPXVWEHUHPRYHGDIWHULQVWDOO
6
Notes.
www.GEAppliances.com
7
Refrigerator Warranty.
For US Customers, all warranty service provided by our Factory Service
Centers, or an authorized Customer Care
®
technician. To schedule
service, on-line, 24 hours a day, visit us at GEAppliances.com, or call
800.GE.CARES (800.432.2737). Please have serial number and model
Staple your receipt here. Proof
of the original purchase date is
needed to obtain service under
the warranty.
number available when calling for service.
In Canada, call 800.561.3344.
Servicing your refrigerator may require the use of the onboard data port for diagnostics. This gives a GE Factory
Service technician the ability to quickly diagnose any issues with your appliance and helps GE improve its
products by providing GE with information on your appliance. If you do not want your appliance data to be sent
to GE, please advise your technician NOT to submit the data to GE at the time of service.
For the Period of: GE Will Replace
One Year
From the date of the original
purchase
Any part of the refrigerator which fails due to a defect in materials or workmanship.
During the limited one-year warranty, GE will also provide, free of charge, all labor and related service
to replace the defective part.
What is Not Covered:
■ Service trips to your home to teach you how to use the product.
■ Improper installation, delivery or maintenance.
■ Failure of the product if it is abused, misused, or used for other than
the intended purpose or used commercially.
■ Loss of food due to spoilage.
■ Replacement of house fuses or resetting of circuit breakers.
■ Damage caused after delivery.
■ Replacement of the water filter cartridge, if included, due to water
pressure that is outside the specified operating range or due to
excessive sediment in the water supply.
■ Replacement of the light bulbs, if included, or water filter cartridge,
if included, other than as noted above.
■ Damage to the product caused by accident, fire, floods or acts of
God.
■ Incidental or consequential damage caused by possible defects with
this appliance.
■ Product not accessible to provide required service.
■ Damage caused by a non-GE Brand water filter.
■ Damage to finish (rust, tarnish, or small blemishes) must be reported
within 48 hours following delivery of appliance.
■ Products which are not defective, broken, or which are working as
described in the owner’s manual.
(;&/86,212),03/,(':$55$17,(6³<RXUVROHDQGH[FOXVLYHUHPHG\LVSURGXFWUHSDLUDVSURYLGHGLQWKLV
Limited Warranty. Any implied warranties, including the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for
a particular purpose, are limited to one year or the shortest period allowed by law.
For US Customers: This warranty is extended to the original purchaser and any succeeding owner for products
purchased for home use within the USA. If the product is located in an area where service by a GE Authorized
Servicer is not available, you may be responsible for a trip charge or you may be required to bring the product to an
Authorized GE Service location for service. In Alaska, the warranty excludes the cost of shipping or service calls to
your home.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages. This warranty gives
you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. To know what your legal
rights are, consult your local or state consumer affairs office or your state’s Attorney General.
Warrantor US: General Electric Company. Louisville, KY 40225
For Customers in Canada: This warranty is extended to the original purchaser and any succeeding owner for
products purchased in Canada for home use within Canada. In-home warrant service will be provided in areas
where it is available and deemed reasonable by Mabe to provide.
Warrantor Canada: MC Commercial, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 5B6
8
Loading...