GE TBFP16 Use and Care Manual

Use and Care of
No-Frost Models

TBFP14

TBFPl6

Energy-saving tips

How

the Energy Saver

Switch works

How

long should you

store foods?
Questions?

Use the Problem Solver PI2

P5

P6

Your Direct Line to General Electric

The

GENERAL@

ELECTRIC

GE Answer Centef 800.626.2000

4945&

Contents

Energy-Saving Tips
Important Safety Instructions.
How to Connect Electricity
Installation Requirements
How to Adjust Rollers
How to Adjust Leveling Legs
How to Set Temperature

Controls

How to Use

Energy Saver Switch. ....... .5

Food Storage Suggestions
Shelf Positions
Storage Drawers

Ice Service
Accessories.
User Maintenance

Instructions
Problem Solver
If You Need Service
Warranty

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

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

..........

...........

.. .3,4

.....

........ .4

...

.....

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

...........

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

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

..........

.12-14

.........

.Back Cover

.2

.. .3

.4

.4

.5

.6

.7

.7,8

.9,

10

.IO

.I5

Read this book carefully.

It

is intended to help you operate
and maintain your new refrigerator
properly.

it

Keep

questions.

If

or
your phone number):

Consumer Affairs
General Electric Company
Appliance Park
Louisville,

11

handy for answers to your

you don’t understand something

need more help, write (include

KY

40225

To obtain Hispanic version
of this book, call
The

GE Answer Center@

800.626.2000
consumer information service.
Toll-free.

Para obtener la version en
espand de este manual,
llame gratis a
The

GE

Answer Centef
servicio de informacion
para el consumidor,
telefono 800.626.2000.

Write down the model and
serial numbers.

You’ll see them on a label at the
bottom, just inside the fresh food
compartment door.

These numbers are also on the
Consumer Product Ownership
Registration Card that came with
your refrigerator.

Before sending
card, please write these numbers
here:

Model

Number

Serial Number

Use these numbers
correspondence or service calls
concerning your refrigerator.

If

you

received a damaged

refrigerator,

the dealer (or builder) that sold you
the refrigerator.

Save time and money.
Before

the Problem Solver on pages 12
through
operating problems that you can
correct yourself.

you

in

the registration

in

any

immediately contact

request service,

14.

It

lists minor causes of

check

EneqpSaving

Location of your refrigerator is

important. Avoid locating it next

to

your range, a heating vent or where

the sun will shine directly on it.

Don’t open the doors more often

than

necessary.

Close the doors

particularly in hot, humid weather.

Keep Energy Saver Switch in the
NORMAL position unless moisture
forms on the outside of the

refrigerator.

a

..q

1‘

-1

-

as

soon as possible,

*,

0-

rJ

Tips

e,

t.

,.

e.7

e

b’

Be sure the doors are closed
tightly. Before leaving the house
or retiring for the night, check to
be sure the doors haven’t been left
open accidentally.

Store only those foods requiring
refrigeration in your refrigerator.

Wipe moisture from bottles and
cartons before putting them in the
refrigerator.

2

Keep foods covered to reduce
moisture buildup inside the
refrigerator.

If you turn the controls to the
coldest position for quick chilling
or freezing, be sure to turn them
back to regular settings.

Don’t overcrowd your refrigerator.
Overcrowding can require extra
electrical energy to keep everything

*

cod

“.-.

2

.I

1

Important Safety Instructions

Read all instructions

.

WARNING-

appliance, always exercise basic
safety precautions, including the
following:

0

Use this appliance only for its
intended purpose as described in
this Use and Care Book.

0

This

refrigerator must be properly

installed in accordance with the

Installation Instructions before it is
used. See grounding instructions
below and on page

0

Never unplug your refrigerator by
pulling
grip plug
out &om the outlet.

0

all

become frayed or otherwise
aged.

cracks or abrasion damage along

its

connector end.

0

'

'

away from the wall, be
to
cord.

0

operation, do not touch the cold
surfaces, particularly when

are

to these extremely cold surfaces.

on

firmly

Repair or replace immediately

electric service cords that have

Do

not use a cord that shows

length or at either the plug or

When moving your refrigerator

roll

over

After your refrigerator is in

damp or wet. Skin may adhere

When using this

4.

the power cord. Always

and pull straight

careful

or

damage the power

befor,e

I.

dam-

not

hands

using . this appliance.

0

If

your refrigerator has

automatic icemaker,

or

fingers

hands on the automatic

icemaking mechanism
refrigerator

is

plugged
prevent contact with the moving
parts

of

the ejector mechanism,
or with the heating element that
releases the cubes.

0

Don't

refreeze

frozen

have thawed completely.
The United States Department

Agriculture in Home and Garden
Bulletin

':

. .You may safely refreeze frozen

foods

No.

69

says:

that have thawed
contain ice crystals or
still cold-below

't

. .Thawed ground meats, poultry,

or fish that.have

40OF.

any

off-color should not be refrozen and
should not be eaten. Thawed

cream should

odor or

color

be

discarded.

of

any

or questionable, get rid

food

may be dangerous to eat.

"Even partial thawing and refreez­ing reduce the eating quality

foods,

particularly fruits, vegeta­bles, and prepared
quality
than that
refrozen

of

red meats

of

many other foods. Use

foods

as

soon

an

do

not place

while

in.

This

fd

if

they still

if

they are

off-odor

food

is poor

of

it. The

foods.

The eating

is

affected less

as

possible

the

which

ice

If

of

will

of

or

the

to save
quality

0

around

sure

reduce the possibility

as

much

as

you can."

If

your

old

refrigerator

the house but not

to remove the

of

their eating

doors.

of

is

still

in

use,

This will

danger to

children.

0

Unplug your. refrigerator:

A.

Before making any repairs.

Note: We strongly recommend
that any servicing

be

performed

by a qualified individual.

B.

Before cleaning.

C.

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.)
Note: Turning control to

OFT

position does not remove power
to the light circuit.

0

Do

not operate your refrigerator

in the presence

of

explosive fumes.

be

.-

.

-.t;;-,y

..

,;

,,,

.*ec-i

For

.:;,npcc;

.

9,

i.

>..

x:;;

personal safety,

this appliance must

properly grounded.

The power cord
is equipped with a three-prong
(grounding) plug which mates with
a standard three-prong (grounding)

-..

wall

outlet (Fig.

-

2'

possibility
from this appliance.

of

this appliance

1)

to minimize the

of

electric shock hazard

be

PREFERRED
METHOD

INSURE

PROPER

GROUND

EXISTS

BEFORE

Fig.

1

///

USE

Have the wall outlet and circuit

a

checked by
to make sure the outlet

qualified electrician

is

properly

grounded.

3

Where a standard two-prong wall
outlet is encountered, it is your per­sonal responsibility and obligation
to have it replaced with a properly
grounded three-prong wall outlet.

Do

NOT,

UNDER

STANCES,

THE

THIRD (GROUND) PRONG

FROM

THE

ANY

CIRCUM-

CUT

OR

REMOVE

POWER CORD.

(continued

Part

next

No.

162D1526P001

pagel

.e'

<

InSbllatiOn Requirements (continued)-IMPORTANT..

.

Please Read Carefully

Use of Adapter Plug

Because of potential safety
hazards under certain conditions,
we strongly recommend against use
of an adapter plug. However,
still elect to use an adapter, where
local codes permit, a TEMPORARY
CONNECTION may be made to a
properly grounded two-prong wall

outlet by use of a UL listed adapter
(Fig.

2)

available at most local

hardware stores.

lADAPTER PLUGS NOT
PERMITTED IN CANADA)

Larger slot
aligned
outlet to provide proper polarity
connection of power cord.

CAUTION:

ground terminal
screw does not ground the appliance
unless cover screw is metal, and not

insulated, and wall outlet is grounded
through house wiring.

have the circuit checked by a qualified
electrician to make sure the outlet

is properly grounded.

When disconnecting the power
cord from the adapter,

the adapter

is not done, the adapter ground
terminal is very likely to break
with

Should the adapter ground
terminal break,
appliance until a proper ground

has again been established.

Use

Because of potential safety

hazards under certain conditions,

we strongly recommend against the

use of an extension cord. However,

if

you still elect to use an extension

cord,

it

be a UL listed 3-wire grounding

type

in

adapter must be

with

larger slot

Attaching adapter

to

wall outlet cover

with

one hand. If this

repeated use.

DO

NOT

of Extension Cords

it

is absolutely necessary that

appliance extension cord having

if

you

in

wall

You

should

always hold

USE

the

in

a grounding type plug and outlet
and that the electrical rating of the
cord be

15

amperes (minimum) and

120 volts. Such extension cords are

obtainable through your local

service organization.

The refrigerator should always
be plugged into

its

own

individual electrical outlet-

(115 volt,
Hertz, single phase AC). This is
recommended for best performance
and to prevent overloading house
wiring circuits, which could cause
a fire hazard from overheating wires.

60

Hertz, or

100

volt,

50

Refrigerator Location

Do

not install refrigerator where

temperature will go below

because
to maintain proper temperatures.

Do

enough to support a fully loaded

refrigerator.

Also see Energy-Saving Tips
regarding location.

it

install

will

not run often enough

it

on a floor strong

60°F.

Clearances

Allow the following clearances for
ease of installation and proper air
circulation.

Sides

............... 314"

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

Top
Back

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

1"
1"

Water Supply to Icemaker

(on

models

You will need to connect your

icemaker to a cold water line.
water supply kit containing copper
tubing, shut-off valve, fittings and

instructions is available at extra
cost from your dealer. There should

be

sufficient tubing for the icemaker
from the cold water supply
moving the refrigerator out from
the wall several feet (approximately

3

coils of 1/4-inch copper tubing
that measures at least 10 inches in
diameter).

so

equipped)

to

A

allow

RollerdLeveling

Some models have adjustable
rollers

the refrigerator away from the
wall for cleaning; other models
have
Rollers
base grille, should be set
refrigerator is firmly positioned on
the
enough that the doors close easily
when opened about halfway.

To

remove the base grille by grasping

it

Turn roller adjusting screws or
leveling legs

refrigerator, counterclockwise
lower
(318" hex head bolt) or pliers.

When adjusting front rollers
leveling legs
it is recommended that the bottom
front edge
approximately 3/4" from the

To

SFback of grille with clamps in
cabinet and push forward until
grille snaps into place.

that enable you to move

adjustable leveling legs.

or

legs, located behind the

floor

and the front is raised just

adjust rollers or leveling legs,

at the bottom and pulling

clockwise to raise

it.

Use adjustable wrench

for

of

the cabinet be

replace base grille,

Legs

so

the

it

out.

to

or

proper door closure,

floor.

align prongs

I

c

4

Operating Your Refrigerator

*e.:

*e-=

.-

Set the
Temperature Controls

(FREEZER)

c

INITIAL SETTING

E

IS COLDEST

I

Your refrigerator has two controls
that let you regulate the temperature

in

the fresh food and freezer

compartments.

INITIALLY, set the
FOOD control at 5 and the
FREEZER control at

For

colder

or

warmer temperatures,

adjust the desired compartment

or

even out.

BOTH

or number at

compartments-

control one letter

IMPORTANT

When initially setting the controls

or

when adjusting them, allow 24

hours for the temperatures to
stabilize,

Note: Turning the fresh food
control to the OFF position stops
cooling in
fresh food AND freezer-but
does not shut off power to the
refrigerator.

How

to Test Temperatures

ALLOW

24

I

BETWEEN ADJUSTMENTS

HOURS

FRESH

C.

a

time.

FRESH

5

INITIAL SETTING

9

IS

COLDEST

0

ISOFF

If

you turn your household

thermostat

. . .you may want to turn the lettered

control one step colder,

“DI’

to
house may cause the compressor to
operate less frequently, thus allowing
the freezer compartment to warm
somewhat. To protect your frozen
food supply, leave your
setting at this colder setting for the
entire winter
of time you are turning down your
thermostat. This is especially

important when the thermostat is

turned down for an extended
This change should have no effect

on your fresh food compartment.

However,
the numbered control one step
warmer,

When you stop turning the
thermostat down, turn temperature
controls back to their regular settings.

Cooler temperatures

as

FOOD

below

60°F.

as

or

for whatever period

if

freezing occurs,

from

“5”

to

TEMPERATURE

CONTROLS

at night

from “C”

in

the

lettered

period.

turn

“4:’

Use of the Energy Saver Switch can
save you money. Estimated yearly
savings, depending on your local
electric rates, are as follows:

I

TBFP14

I

$7.00

I

$11.00 I $15.00

I

TBFP16 I $8:00 I $13.00 I $18.00 I 18%

With the heaters turned off, there
is

a

chance that moisture may form
on the outside of your refrigerator,
especially when the weather is
humid. The humidity is most likely
to be high
early morning hours, and
which are not

Over an extended period of time,
moisture that forms on the outside
may cause deterioration of the paint
finish.
the finish by using appliance polish
wax

in

the summer,

air

conditioned.

It

will

be

important

as

described on page

I

15%

in

the

in

homes

to protect

11.

When the Energy Saver Switch

is

pushed to the right,

flows through the
heaters which warm the outside
of the cabinet
conditions, prevent the forming
of moisture

and,

or

water droplets.

electricity

low

wattage

under most

1

1

Use the milk test for the fresh food
compartment.

milk on the top shelf
food compartment. Check it
later.

If

the

cold, adjust the temperature controls.

Place a container of

in

the fresh

milk

is too warm

a

or

day

too

Use the ice cream test for the
freezer compartment.

container of ice cream
of the freezer compartment. Check

it

after a day. If it’s too hard or too

soft, adjust the temperature controls.

Always allow

24

Place a

in

the center

hours for
the refrigerator to reach the
temperature you set.

Energy Saver Switch

The Energy Saver Switch is located
on the upper left side of the fresh
food compartment.

To

reduce the amount
electricity required
your refrigerator, push switch
to the NORMAL position.

turns off heaters in your refrigerator
that prevent moisture from forming
on the outside.

5

of

to

operate

This

No

Defrosting

It is not necessary to defrost the

or

freezer
Your refrigerator is designed and

equipped to defrost itself

automatically.

fresh food compartments.

~~

Part

No.

162D1526P001