GE TOP-FREEZER 18, TOP-FREEZER 17, TOP-FREEZER 16 User Manual
GEAppliances.com
Safety Instructions
Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions
Troubleshooting Tips
Consumer Support
Top-Freezer
Automatic Icemaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Shelves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5, 6
Storage Drawers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Temperature Controls . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Preparing to Install
the Refrigerator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Reversing the Door Swing . . . . .13–16
Water Line Installation . . . . . . . .10–12
Before You Call For Service . . . . .17, 18
Normal Operating Sounds . . . . . . . .17
Consumer Support . . . . . . Back Cover
Product Registration
(Canadian) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 22
Product Registration (U.S.) . . . . 20–22
Warranty for
Canadian Customers . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Warranty for U.S. Customers . . . . . 23
. . . . . . . . . .2–4
Owner’s Manual and
Installation Instructions
Models 16, 17, 18
Refrigerators
Write the model and serial
numbers here:
Model #______________________
Serial # ______________________
You can find them on a label on
the upper left side of the fresh food
compartment.
197D8622P001 49-60655 03-11 GE
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
DANGER! RISK OF CHILD ENTRAPMENT
PROPER DISPOSAL OF THE REFRIGERATOR
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
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.
Refrigerator or Freezer:
Take off the doors.
Leave the shelves in place so that children
may not easily climb inside.
USE OF EXTENSION CORDS
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.
DANGER! RISQUES POUR LES ENFANTS
COMMENT VOUS DÉBARRASSER
CONVENABLEMENT DE VOTRE ANCIEN RÉFRIGÉRATEUR
Les enfants pris au piège ou morts d’asphyxie
sont toujours d’actualité. Les réfrigérateurs abandonnés
sont toujours aussi dangereux,
même si on n’attend que «quelques jours»
pour s’en débarrasser. Si vous ne gardez pas
votre ancien réfrigérateur, veuillez suivre les directives cidessous afin de prévenir les accidents.
Avant de vous débarrasser de votre ancien
réfrigérateur ou congélateur :
Démontez les portes.
Laissez les clayettes en place afin d’empêcher
les enfants de grimper à l’intérieur.
CORDONS PROLONGATEURS
Nous vous recommandons fortement de ne pas utiliser de cordons prolongateurs à cause des risques
potentiels qu’ils présentent dans certaines conditions.
Réfrigérants
Tous les appareils de réfrigération contiennent des
réfrigérants qui, conformément aux lois fédérales,
doivent être enlevés avant toute élimination de
l’appareil. Si vous vous débarrassez de vieux
appareils de réfrigération, vérifiez, auprès de la
société qui s’occupe de
leur élimination, ce que vous devez faire.
Toutefois si vous décidez d’utiliser tout de même un cordon prolongateur, il est absolument nécessaire
qu’il s’agisse d’un cordon à 3 fils avec mise à la terre pour appareils électro ménagers homologué UL (aux États-Unis)
ou certifié CSA (au Canada), pourvu d’une fiche et d’une prise mises à la terre de 15 ampères (minimum) et de 120
2
volts.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING. GEAppliances.com
WARNING!
Use this appliance only for its intended purpose as described in this Owner’s Manual.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should be followed, including the following:
This refrigerator must be properly installed
and located in accordance with the Installation
Instructions before it is used.
Do not allow children to climb, stand or hang
on the shelves in the refrigerator. They could damage
the refrigerator and seriously injure themselves.
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 store or use gasoline or other flammable
vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or any other
appliance.
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 refrigerators with automatic icemakers,
Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning and making
Turning the control to the 0 position does
Do not refreeze frozen foods which have
MESURES DE SÉCURITÉ IMPORTANTES.
LISEZ D’ABORD TOUTES LES DIRECTIVES.
AVERTISSEMENT!
in the area.
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 icemaking mechanism while the
refrigerator is plugged in.
repairs.
NOTE: We strongly recommend that any servicing be
performed by a qualified individual.
not remove power to the light circuit.
thawed completely.
N’utilisez cet électroménager que pour l’usage auquel il est destiné, comme expliqué dans le
présent manuel.
MESURES DE SÉCURITÉ
Lorsque vous utilisez un appareil électrique, observez toujours les mesures de sécurité de base,
y compris les suivantes.
Installez le réfrigérateur conformément aux directives
d’installation avant de l’utiliser.
Ne laissez pas les enfants grimper, s’asseoir,
se tenir debout ni se pendre aux clayettes du
réfrigérateur. Ils pourraient endommager le
réfrigérateur et se blesser gravement.
N’entreposez et n’utilisez pas d’essence ou
autres vapeurs et liquides inflammables à proximité de
cet appareil ou de tout autre appareil électroménager.
Éloignez les doigts des parties du réfrigérateur
où l’on peut facilement se pincer : les espaces entre les
portes et entre les portes et les placards sont toujours
étroits. Soyez prudent lorsque
vous fermez les portes de l’appareil en présence des
enfants.
Si votre réfrigérateur est doté d’une machine à glaçons
automatique évitez le contact avec les pièces mobiles
du mécanisme éjecteur, ou avec l’élément chauffant
qui libère les glaçons.
Ne posez pas les doigts ou les mains sur le mécanisme
de la machine à glaçons pendant
que le réfrigérateur est branché.
Ne touchez pas les surfaces froides du congélateur si
vous avez les mains humides ou mouillées : la peau
risque d’adhérer à ces surfaces très froides.
Débranchez votre réfrigérateur avant de le nettoyer ou
de le réparer.
REMARQUE : Nous vous recommandons vivement de
confier toute réparation à un technicien qualifié.
Lorsque vous réglez la commande sur 0 (éteint),
l’alimentation électrique de l’ampoule n’est pas
coupée.
Ne recongelez pas les aliments surgelés qui ont
complètement dégelé.
3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
WARNING!
HOW TO CONNECT ELECTRICITY
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 3prong (grounding) plug which mates with a standard 3prong (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.
The refrigerator should always be plugged into its own
individual electrical outlet which has a voltage rating that
matches the rating plate.
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.
READ AND FOLLOW THIS SAFETY INFORMATION CAREFULLY.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
MESURES DE SÉCURITÉ IMPORTANTES.
LISEZ D’ABORD TOUTES LES DIRECTIVES.
AVERTISSEMENT!
RACCORDEMENT ÉLECTRIQUE
Ne coupez ni retirez en aucun cas la troisième broche (mise à la terre) de la fiche du cordon
d’alimentation. Pour votre sécurité, cet appareil doit être correctement mis à la terre.
Le cordon d’alimentation de cet appareil est muni d’une
fiche à 3 broches (mise à la terre) qui se branche dans une
prise murale ordinaire à 3 alvéoles (mise à la terre) pour
réduire au minimum les risques de chocs électriques.
Faites examiner la prise de courant et le circuit par un
électricien qualifié pour vous assurer que la prise est
correctement mise à la terre.
Si la prise murale est du type standard à 2 alvéoles, il vous
incombe de la faire remplacer par une prise à 3 alvéoles
correctement mise à la terre.
Le réfrigérateur doit toujours être branché dans sa propre
prise de courant, dont la tension nominale est identique à
celle indiquée sur la plaque signalétique.
Cette précaution est recommandée pour garantir un
rendement optimum et éviter une surcharge des circuits
électriques de la résidence, ce qui pourrait créer un risque
d’incendie par surchauffe des fils.
Ne débranchez jamais le réfrigérateur en tirant sur le cordon
d’alimentation. Saisissez fermement la fiche du cordon et
tirez droit pour la retirer de la prise.
Réparez ou remplacez immédiatement tout cordon effiloché
ou endommagé. N’utilisez pas un cordon fendillé ou
présentant des signes d’usure.
Lorsque vous déplacez votre réfrigérateur du mur, faites
attention de ne pas le faire rouler sur le cordon
d’alimentation afin de ne pas l’endommager.
VEUILLEZ LIRE ET SUIVRE ATTENTIVEMENT CES MESURES DE SÉCURITÉ.
CONSERVEZ CES DIRECTIVES
4
About the temperature control dial. GEAppliances.com
Turning the dial to 0/ Off stops cooling in both compartments—fresh food and freezer. It does not shut off power to the refrigerator.
Temperature Control Dial (on some models)
The temperature control dial has nine settings plus 0. 1 is the warmest. 9 is the coldest. At first,
set the dial at 5.
After using the refrigerator, adjust the dial if necessary. Insert a coin into the slot in the middle
of the dial and you can turn the dial to the setting that is best suited to your needs.
Allow 24 hours for the refrigerator to get cold.
OFF
Temperature Control Dial (on some models)
The temperature control dial adjust refrigerator from warmest to coldest.
The recommended factory setting is shown in illustration to the left. For colder
temperature turn dial clockwise toward snowflake. For warmer temperature turn
dial counter clockwise away from snowflake. allow 24 hours for adjustment.
About the fresh food compartment shelves.
Shelf supports at various levels allow you to custom-space your shelves. Not all features are on all models.
Half-Width Shelves
2
Lift up and out
1
Tilt up
One end of the shelf rests on a molded sidewall support; a bracket on the other end hooks
into a track on the rear cabinet wall.
To remove, lift the shelf up at front, then off
the support and out of the track.
To replace, select desired shelf height. With
shelf front raised slightly, hook the bracket’s top
lug into the track, then lower the shelf onto the
support.
NOTE: The shelf to the right of the track is designed
to hook into the right-hand slot; the shelf to the left
is designed to hook into the left-hand slot.
Lift rear
Pull forward
To remove the full-width shelves
Full-Width Shelves
Some models have a steel wire sliding shelf, a
stationary tempered glass shelf,
a spillproof shelf or two steel wire stationary
shelves. These shelves can be moved to
another place in the fresh food
compartment.
The full-width sliding shelf has stop-locks.
When placed correctly on the shelf supports,
the shelf will stop before coming completely
out of the refrigerator and will not tilt when
you place food on it or remove food from it.
Spillproof Shelves (on some models)
Spillproof shelves have special edges
to help prevent spills from dripping
to lower shelves. To remove or replace
the shelves, see the above instructions.
Lift rear
Pull forward and down
To remove a full-width shelf when
the fresh food compartment door
cannot be opened fully
5
About the freezer compartment shelves.
Step Shelf (on some models)
To remove the step shelf:
Lift left side of shelf slightly.
1
Move shelf to the left to free its right ends
1
2
3
2
from holes in the cabinet wall.
To replace the step shelf:
With shelf tilted as shown, fit left ends of
1
shelf into holes in cabinet wall.
About the storage drawers.
Not all features are on all models.
Fruit and Vegetable Drawers
Excess water that may accumulate in the
bottom of the drawers should be emptied
and the drawers wiped dry.
Lower right side of shelf, move shelf to the
3
right and take it out.
Lift left side of shelf slightly, swing shelf up,
2
fit right ends of shelf into holes in cabinet
wall, and lower shelf into place.
Snacks Drawer
The snacks drawer can be moved to the
most useful location for your family’s needs.
6
About storage drawer and cover removal. GEAppliances.com
Not all features are on all models.
Adjustable Humidity Drawer (on some models)
Slide the control all the way to the
HIGH setting to provide high humidity
recommended for most vegetables.
Drawer and Cover Removal
Drawers can be removed easily by grasping the sides and lifting up slightly while pulling drawers
past the stop location.
Full-Width Drawer with
Plastic Cover
To remove the cover, lift it off its supports,
pull it forward, tilt it and take it out.
Twin Drawer Shelf
To remove:
Remove the drawers.
1
Reach in, push the front of glass cover up,
2
and at the same time, pull it forward as far
as it will come.
Tilt it and take it out. Avoid cleaning the cold glass
cover with hot water because the extreme
temperature difference may cause it to break.
Remove the drawer frame. (Always remove
3
the glass cover before you take out the
drawer frame.)
Lift the frame off the supports at each side and
back, pull it forward, tilt it and take it out.
Slide the control all the way to the LOW
setting to provide lower humidity levels
recommended for most fruits.
To replace:
Lower the frame until it rests on the
1
supports at each side and back.
Replace the glass cover, pushing its rear
2
edge firmly into the rear frame channel and
gently lowering the front into place.
Replace the drawers.
3
About the automatic icemaker.
A newly-installed refrigerator may take 12 to 24 hours to begin making ice.
There are 2 types of icemakers:
Power Switch
Green Power Light
Power switch model
Feeler Arm in
the ON (down)
position
Feeler arm model
Icemaker
Feeler Arm
Feeler Arm in
the STOP
(up) position
Automatic Icemaker (on some models)
The icemaker will produce approximately
100–130 cubes in a 24-hour period, depending on
the freezer compartment temperature, room
temperature, number of door openings and other
use conditions.
If the refrigerator is operated before the water
connection is made to the icemaker, move the
feeler arm to the STOP (up) position.
When the refrigerator has been connected to
the water supply, move the feeler arm to the ON
(down) position.
The icemaker will fill with water when it cools to
15°F. A newly-installed refrigerator may take 12 to
24 hours to begin making ice cubes.
Once the icemaker starts to make ice,
it may take up to 48 hours to fill the bin,
depending on the temperature settings
and number of door openings.
You will hear a buzzing sound each time the
icemaker fills with water.
Throw away the first few batches of ice
to allow the water line to clear.
Be sure nothing interferes with the sweep of the
feeler arm.
When the bin fills to the level of the feeler arm,
the icemaker will stop producing ice.
It is normal for several cubes to be joined
together.
If ice is not used frequently, old ice cubes will
become cloudy, taste stale, shrink or fuse
together.
On power switch models, the green power light
will blink if ice cubes get stuck in the icemaker.
To correct this, set the power switch to O (off)
and remove the cubes. Set the power switch to I
(on) to restart the icemaker. After the icemaker
has been turned on again, there will be a delay
of about 45 minutes before the icemaker
resumes operation.
NOTE: In homes with lower-than-average water
pressure, you may hear the icemaker cycle multiple
times when making one batch of ice.
Icemaker Accessory Kit
If your refrigerator did not already come equipped
with an automatic icemaker, an icemaker
accessory kit is available at extra cost.
Check the back of the refrigerator for
the specific icemaker kit needed for
your model.
7
Care and cleaning of the refrigerator.
Cleaning the Outside
The door handles and trim (on some models). Clean
with a cloth dampened with soapy water. Dry with a
soft cloth.
Keep the outside clean. Wipe with a clean cloth lightly
dampened with kitchen appliance wax or mild liquid dish
detergent. Dry and polish with a clean,
soft cloth.
The stainless steel panels and door handles (on some models)
can be cleaned with a commercially available stainless steel
cleaner. Do not use appliance wax or polish on the stainless
steel.
Do not wipe the refrigerator with a soiled dish cloth or wet
towel. These may leave a residue that can erode the paint.
Do not use scouring pads, powdered cleaners, bleach or cleaners
containing bleach because these products can scratch and
weaken the paint finish.
Cleaning the Inside
To help prevent odors, leave an open box of baking soda in
the fresh food and freezer compartments.
Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning.
If this is not practical, wring excess moisture out of sponge
or cloth when cleaning around switches, lights or controls.
Use warm water and baking soda solution—about a
tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda to a quart (1 liter)
of water. This both cleans and neutralizes odors. Rinse and
wipe dry.
After cleaning the door gaskets, apply a thin layer of
petroleum jelly to the door gaskets at the hinge side. This
helps keep the gaskets from sticking and bending out of
shape.
Avoid cleaning cold glass shelves (on some models) with hot water
because the extreme temperature difference may cause them to
break. Handle glass shelves carefully. Bumping tempered glass can
cause it to shatter.
Do not wash any plastic refrigerator parts in the dishwasher.
Moving the Refrigerator
Be careful when moving the refrigerator away from
the wall. All types of floor coverings can be damaged,
particularly cushioned coverings and those with embossed
surfaces.
Turn the leveling legs at each front corner of the refrigerator
counterclockwise until the rollers support
the refrigerator. Pull the refrigerator straight out and return it to
position by pushing it straight in. Moving
the refrigerator in a side direction may result in damage
to the floor covering or refrigerator.
When pushing the refrigerator back, make sure you don’t roll over
the power cord or icemaker supply line (on some models).
After rolling the refrigerator back into place, turn the legs
clockwise until the legs again bear the weight of the
refrigerator.
Light Bulb Replacement
To replace a burned-out bulb, unplug the refrigerator from
its electrical outlet, unscrew the bulb when cool and replace
it with an appliance bulb of the same or lower wattage.
Turning the control to the 0 position does not remove power to
the light circuit.
Preparing for Vacation
For long vacations or absences, remove food and unplug the
refrigerator. Move the temperature control dial to the 0
position, and clean the interior with a baking soda solution
of one tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda to one quart (1
liter) of water. Leave the doors open.
Move the feeler arm to the STOP (up) position and
shut off the water supply to the refrigerator.
If the temperature can drop below freezing, have a qualified
servicer drain the water supply system (on some models) to
prevent serious property damage
due to flooding.
Condenser
There is no need for routine condenser cleaning in normal
home operating environments.
However, in environments that
may be particularly dusty or
greasy, the condenser should
be cleaned periodically for
Cleaning the condenser coils.
To clean the condenser, turn the temperature control dial to
0. Sweep away or vacuum up dust.
For best results, use a brush specially designed for this
purpose. It is available at most appliance parts stores.
efficient refrigerator operation.
8
Preparing to Move
Secure all loose items such as grille, shelves and drawers by
taping them securely in place to prevent damage.
Be sure the refrigerator stays in an upright position during moving.
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