Kenmore Elite 25344733101, 25344733102, 25344733103, 25344733104, 25344733105 Owner’s Manual

E L l T E

Use & Care Guide

Congelador

Gufa para su uso y cuidado

Cong61ateur

Guide d'utiiisation et d'entretien

44733

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

Sears Canada, inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B8

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www,sea_'s,com

297088400 (0(#01)

SedaU/ModeUNumbers ............................... 2

Umportant Safety Unstructions .................... 2-3

Freezer Warranty ........................................ 3

Protection Agreements .............................. 4

First Steps ................................................ 5-6

Setting the Temperature Control ................. 6

Freezer Features ....................................... 6-7

Energy Saving Tips ................................... 7

Power Failure / Freezer Failure ................... 7

ice Service ................................................ 8

Care and Cleaning ..................................... 9

Before You Call .......................................... 10-11

READ AND SAVETHESE INSTRUCTIONS
This Owner's Guide provides specific operating instructions for

your model. Use your freezer only as instructed in this guide.

These instructions are not meant to cover every possible
condition and situation that may occur. Common sense and
caution must be practiced when installing, operating, and
maintaining any appliance.

RECORDYOUR MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS
Record the model and serial numbers in the space provided

below. The serial plate is located on the upper left wail inside
the freezer.

Model Humber: 253.

or 970.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USINGTHIS
FREEZER.

PROPER DISPOSAL OFYOUR REFRIGERATOR/
FREEZER

Serial Humber:
Purchase Date:

and SeriaB

Mode,

NumberP_ate

BEFORE YOU THROW AWAY YOUR OLD
REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER:

,' Remove doors.
_, Leave shelves in place so children

may not easily climb inside.

,, Have refrigerant removed by a

qualified service technician.

OTHERPFtECAUTHONS
,, Todefrostfreezer,atwaysunplugunitfirst.

,, Never unplug the freezer by pulling on the cord. Always grip

the plug firmiy, and pull straight out from the receptacle.

Grounding type
waUUreceptacle

Power suppUy

cord with 3=prong
grounding pUug

KENMORE ELITE APPLIANCEWARRANTY
One Year Limited Warranty

When instalIed, operated and maintained according to alI
instructions supplied with the product, if this appliance fails due
to a defect in material or workmanship within one year from the
date of purchase, calI 1-800-4-MY-HOME <_>to arrange for free

repair.
RVE YEAR FULL WARRANTY ON SEALED REFR_GERAo

T_ONSYSTEM
For five years from the date of purchase, when this

refrigerator is operated and maintained according to the
instructions supplied with it, Sears will repair the sealed
system (consisting of refrigerant, connecting tubing, and
compressor), free of charge, if defective in material or
workmanship.

If this appliance is used for other than private family purposes,
this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.

This warranty covers only defects in material and workman=
ship. Sears win NOT pay for:

1. Expendable items that can wear out from normal use,
including but not limited to filters, belts, Iight bulbs and bags.

2. A se_Jice technician to instruct the user in correct product
instalIation, operation or maintenance.

3. A service technician to clean or maintain this product.

4. Damage to or faiIure of this product if it is not instatIed,
operated or maintained according to aII instructions

supplied with the product.

5. Damage to or failure of this product resulting from accident,
abuse, misuse or use for other than its intended purpose.

6. Damage to or failure of this product caused by the use of
detergents, cleaners, chemicals or utensils other than those

recommended in all instructions suppiied with the product.

7. Damage to or faiIure of parts or systems resuIting from
unauthorized modifications made to this product.

Disclaimer of implied warranties; mimitation of remedies
Customer's sole and exclusive remedy under this limited

warranty shall be product repair as provided
herein. Implied warranties, including warranties of merchantabil-

ity or fitness for a particular purpose, are limited to one year or
the shortest period allowed by law. Sears shall not be liable for

incidentai or consequential damages. Some states and prov-
inces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidentai or

consequentiai damages, or limitations on the duration of implied
warranties of merchantability or fitness, so these exclusions or

limitations may not apply to you.
This warranty applies only while this appliance is used in the

United States and Canada.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also

have other rights which vary from state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Coo, Depto 817WA, Noffman Estates, _L

60179

Sears Canada Inc.,Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B8

In the U.S.A.

Master Protection Agreements

Congratulations on making a smart purchase. Your new

Kenmore Elite®product is designed and manufactured for

years of dependable operation. But like all products, it may

require preventive maintenance or repair from time to time.

That's when having a Master Protection Agreement can save
you money and aggravation.

Purchase a Master Protection Agreement now and protect

yourself from unexpected hassle and expense.

The Master Protection Agreement also helps extend the life
of your new appliance. Here's what's included in the

Agreement:

_" Expert service by our 12,000 professional repair

specialists

_" Unlimited service and no charge for parts and labor

on all covered repairs

_" "No-lemon" guarantee- replacement of your covered

product if four or more product failures occur within

twelve months

_" Product replacement if your covered product can't be

fixed

_" Annual Preventive Maintenance Check at your

request - no extra charge

_" Fast help by phone - phone support from a Sears

technician on products requiring in-home repair, plus
convenient repair scheduling

_" Power surge protection against electrical damage due

to power fluctuations

_" Rental reimbursement if repair of your covered product

takes longer than promised

Once you purchase the Agreement, a simple phone call is all
that it takes for you to schedule service. You can call anytime

day or night, or schedule a service appointment online.
Sears has over 12,000 professional repair specialists, who

have access to over 4.5 million quality parts and
accessories. That's the kind of professionalism you can

count on to help prolong the life of your new purchase for
years to come. Purchase your Master Protection Agreement
today!

Some limitations and exclusions apply. For prices and
additional information, call 1-800-827-6655.

Sears Installation Service

For Sears professional installation of home appliances and

items like garage door openers, water heaters, and other
major home items, in the U.S.A. call 1-800-4MY-HOME ®.

In Canada

Maintenance Agreements

Your purchase has added value because you can depend on
Sears HomeCentral ®for service. With over 2400 Service

Technicians and more than a million parts and accessories,
we have the tools, parts, knowledge and skills to back our
pledge:

We Service What We Sell.

Your Kenmore Elite®product is designed, manufactured and
tested to provide years of dependable operation. But like all

products, it may require service from time to time. The Sears
Maintenance Agreement offers you an outstanding service

program, affordably priced.

The Sears Maintenance Agreement
* Is your way to buy tomorrow's service at today's price.

. Eliminates repair bills resulting from normal wear and

tear.

. Provides phone support from a Sears technician on

products requiring in-home repair.

. Even if you don't need repairs, provides an annual

Preventive Maintenance Check, at your request, to
ensure that your product is in proper running condition.

Some limitations apply. For more information about
concerning Sears Canada Maintenance Agreements, call

1-800-361-6665.

This Owner's Guide provides specific operating instructions for
your model. Use the freezer only as instructed in this Owner's

Guide. Before starting the freezer, follow these important first
steps.

mNSTALLATmON

Choose a place that is near a grounded ebctricaI outbL Do
Not use an extension cord or an adapter plug.

For the most efficient operation, the freezer should be
located where surrounding temperatures will not drop

below 40° F (5° C) or exceed 110 ° F (43° C).
Allow the following clearances for ease of installation,

proper air circulation, and electrical connections:

Sides 3/8"
Back & Top 1"

* Do Not block the toe grille on the lower front of your

freezer. Sufficient air circulation is essential for the proper
operation of your freezer.

Refrigerator

Freezer

Installation

LEVELING

The freezer must have all bottom corners resting firmly on a
solid floor. The floor must be strong enough to support a fully

loaded freezer. NOTE: It is Very Important for your freezer to be

level in order to function properly, if the freezer is not bvebd
during installation, the
door may be misaligned Unpacking and LeveUing

and not close or seal

cooling, frost, or

moisture problems.
To LeveJFreezer:

screws and wood base,

use a carpenter's level
to level the freezer from

front-to-back, Adjust the

plastic leveling feet in
front, SSbubble higher,
so that the door closes ,,_

easily when left halfway UnpackingandLeveling

open,

Leve/ing Instructions for all Refrigerator/Freezer Pair:
, Remove two Ieg levelers provided in literature bag. While

unit is lying on its back for wood skid removal, install both
leg levelers in rear of unit.

* Level door of first unit using alI four levelers and slide unit

into place. Recheck for levelness and adjust if necessary.

* Measure distance from floor to bottom of door on first unit.

Adjust and level second unit so door height matches.

Leg Level Adjustments
o One full turn of alI four Ieg levelers will raise door 5/32".
o One full turn of both front leg levelers will raise door

3/16" and tilt top of door back 7/16".

o One full turn of both rear leg levelers will lower door

1/32" and tilt top of door forward 7/16".

o One full turn of both side Ieg levelers will raise door

3/16" and tilt top of door 3/8".

Slide second unit into place leaving a minimum gap of 3/16"

between units for door swing clearance.

This Iast step may require at least one extraction of the
second unit to properly align units in a "built-in" application.

Leveling Feet

Crating

Arid (2) WOOd Bases

DOOROPENING

/ Shelf Front

DOOR REMOVAL

If door must be removed:

1. Gently lay freezer on its back, on a rug or blanket.

2. Remove two base screws and base panel.

3. Remove bottom hinge screws.

4. Remove plastic top hinge cover.

5. Remove screws from top hinge.

6. Remove top hinge from cabinet.

7. Remove door and bottom hinge from cabinet.

8. To replace door, reverse the above order and manner of
removal. Securely tighten alJ screws to prevent hinge

slippage,

iCE MAKER iNSTALLATiON

If your Freezer has an automatic ice maker, please refer to the
two inserts in the bond pack that came with your Freezer (1.
Installation Instructions & 2. Installation - Connecting be Maker

to Water Supply) to correctly hook-up your ice maker.

COOL DOWN PERIOD

,, For safe food storage, allow 4 hours for the freezer to

cool down completely. The freezer will run continuously
for the first several hours. Foods that are already frozen
may be placed in the freezer after the first few hours of
operation. Unfrozen foods should NOT be leaded into

the freezer until the freezer has operated for 4 hours.

,, When loading the freezer, freeze only 3 pounds of

fresh food per cubic foot of freezer space at one time.
Distribute packages to be frozen evenly throughout the
freezer. It is not necessary to turn the control knob to a
colder setting while freezing food.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL
The temperature control is located inside the freezer

compartment. The temperature is factory preset to provide
satisfactory food storage temperatures.

However, the temperature control is
adjustable to provide a range of

temperatures for your personal
satisfaction. If a colder temperature is

desired, turn the temperature control
knob toward COLDEST and allow

several hours for temperatures to
stabilize between adjustments. Cold Control

INTERIOR LIGHT

The light comes on automatically when the door is opened. To
replace the light bulb, turn the temperature control to OFF and

unpmug the electricam cord. Replace the old bulb with a bulb of
the same wattage.

SLIDE-OUT BASKET
A Slide-Out Basket located at

the bottom of the freezer,

provides separate storage

space for items that are difficult
to store on freezer shelves. To

remove the basket, pull out and
lift up.

TILT=OUTSHELF

This shelf is located
inside on the freezer

door and provides
additional storage
space. To access an

item, tilt top of "basket"
shelf down.

ADJUSTABLE INTERIOR
SHELVES

Multi-position adjustable interior
shelves can be moved to any
position for larger or smaller

packages. The shipping spacers
that stabilize the shelves for

shipping may be removed and
discarded.

TO ADJUST CANTILEVER
SHELVES

Lift front edge up.
Pull shelf out.

Replace the shelf by
inserting the hooks at rear of

the shelf into the wail

bracket. Lower the shelf into

the desired slots and lock

into position.

Slide=Out Basket

Tik-Out Shelf

Adjustable Interior Shelves = Upright Models

MID LEVEL LIGHT

The light comes on automatically when the door is opened. To
replace the light bulb, turn the temperature control to OFF and

unplug the electrical cord. Remove the lens from the lamp housing
by unsnapping it from the lamp housing using your fingers or a

screwdriver. Be careful not to break the locking tabs on the lamp
housing. Replace the old bulb with a bulb of the same type and

wattage. To replace the lens, snap one side of the lens opening to
the tab on the lamp housing. Then carefully attach the other side.

To Remove Light Lens

Press Tabs I_

in Direction Shown.

Mid Levem Lighting

VACATION AND MOVlNGTIPS

Short Vacations:

Leave the freezer operating during vacations of less

than three weeks.

Long Vacations:

If the freezer will not be used for several months:

,, Remove all food and unplug the power cord.
_, Clean and dry the interior thoroughly.
_, Leave the freezer door open slightly, blocking it open if

necessary, to prevent odor and mold growth.

Moving: When moving the freezer, follow these
guidMines to prevent damage:

,, Disconnect the power cord plug from the wall outlet.
,, Remove foods, then defrost, and clean the freezer.

_, Secure all loose items such as base panel, baskets, and

shelves by taping them securely in place to prevent

damage.

,, In the moving vehicle, secure freezer in an upright

position to prevent movement. Also protect outside of

freezer with a blanket, or similar item.

The freezer should be located in the coolest
area of the room, away from heat producing
appliances or heating ducts, and out of
direct sunlight.

Let hot foods cool to room temperature
before placing in the freezer. Overloading

the freezer forces the compressor to run longer. Foods that
freeze too slowly may spoil or lose quality.

Be sure to wrap foods properly, and wipe containers dry
before placing them in the freezer. This cuts down on
frost build-up inside the freezer.

Freezer shelves should not be lined with aluminum foi!,
wax paper, or paper toweling. Liners interfere with cold

air circulation, making the freezer less efficient.
Organize and label food to reduce door openings and

extended searches. Remove as many items as needed
at one time, and close the door as soon as possible.

ff a power failure occurs, frozen foods will stay frozen for at
least 24 hours if the freezer is kept closed. If the power failure

continues, pack seven or eight pounds of dry ice into the freezer
every 24 hours. Look in the Yellow Pages under Dry ice, Dairies,
or ice Cream Manufacturers for local dry ice suppliers. Always
wear gloves and use caution when handling dry ice.

ff the freezer has stopped operating, see Freezer Does Not

Run in the Troubleshooting Guide. If you cannot solve the

problem, call Sears Service immediately.

If the freezer remains off for several hours, follow the directions

above for the use of dry ice during a power failure. If necessary,
take the food to a local locker plant until the freezer is ready to

operate. Look in the Yellow Pages under Frozen Food Locker

Plants.

If your freezer has an automatic ice maker, it wilI provide a
sufficient supply of ice for normal use. During the initial startup

of your freezer, however, no ice will be produced during the first
24 hours of operation. Automatic ice makers are also optional
accessories that may be installed in some models at any time.
Call your local dealer for information.

TURNINGYOUR ICE
MAKER ON

After the plumbing

ON

connections nave been
completed, the waler

supply valve mus_ De
opened. Place _neice

container under the ice
maker, pushing t as far

back as possible. Lower
the wire signal arm to tts
"down" or ON position.
New plumbing

S_gnal Arm

J

.J

.J

Ice Maker

connections may cause
the first production of ice cubes to be discolored or have an odd

flavor. These first cubes should be discarded until the cubes
produced are free of discoloration and taste.

TURNINGYOUR ICE MAKER OFF
To stop the ice maker, lift the wire signal arm until it clicks and

locks in the "up" or OFF position. The ice maker also turns off
automatically when the ice container is full. if your model has an
adjustable freezer shelf, place the shelf in the lower position, so

that the wire signal arm will hit the ice when the container is full.

ICE MAKER TiPS

,, Ice cubes stored too long may develop an odd flavor.

Empty the ice container and ensure that the wire signal

arm is in its "down" or ON position. The ice maker will
then produce more ice.

,, Occasionally shake the ice container to keep ice

separated.

,, Keep the wire signat arm in its "up" or OFF position untii

the freezer is connected to the water supply or whenever
the water supply is turned off.

,, The folIowing sounds are normal when the ice maker is

operating:
,, Motor running
,, Ice loosening from tray
,, Ice dropping into ice container
,, Running water

Water valve opening or closing

,, Wash the ice container in warm water with mild detergent.

Rinse well and dry.

,, Stop the ice maker when cleaning the freezer and during

vacations.

,, If the ice maker will be turned off for a !ong period of time,

turn the water supply valve to the closed position.

Leveling Bracket

1'! or less

Keep your freezer clean to prevent odor build-up. Wipe up any
spills immediately and clean at least twice a year. Never use

metallic scouring pads, brushes, abrasive cleaners or strong
alkaline solutions on any surface. Do not wash any removable
parts in a dishwasher. Always unplug the electrical power cord

from the waft outlet before cleaning.

Care & Cleaning Chart

Part What To Use Tips and Precautions

Interior/Door Use 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Be sure to
Liner • Soap and water wring excess water out of sponge or cloth before cleaning around

Door Gaskets • Soap and water Wipe gaskets with a clean soft cloth.
Drawers/Bins • Soap and water Do not wash any removable items (bins, drawers, etc.) in dishwasher.
Glass Shelves • Allow glass to warm to room temperature before immersing in warm

Exterior and •
Handles •

Exterior and
Handles

(Stainless
Steel Models

Only)

• Baking soda and water

Soap and water

• water.

Glass cleaner
Mild liquid sprays
Soap and water

Non Abrasive Glass

Cleaner

Soap and water
Ammonia

Stainless Steel
Cleaners

controls, light bulb or any electrical part.

Do not use commercial household cleaners, ammonia, or alcohol to clean
handles. Use a soft cloth to clean smooth handles. Do Not use a dry

cloth to clean smooth doors.
Clean stainless steel front and handles with soapy water and a dishcloth.

Rinse with clean water and a soft cloth. Wipe stubborn spots with an
ammonia-soaked paper towel, and rinse. Use a non-abrasive stainless
steel cleaner. These cleaners can be purchased at most home

improvement or major department stores. Always follow manufacturer's
instructions.

NOTE: Always clean, wipe and dry with the grain to prevent cross-
grain scratching. Wash the rest of the cabinet with warm water and mild

liquid detergent. Rinse well, and wipe dry with a clean soft cloth.

TROUBLESHOOTRNG Before calling for service, review this list. It may save you time and expense. This list

includes common occurences that are not the result of defective workmanship or
materials in this appliance.

PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION

FREEZER DOES NOT RUN

Freezer does not run.

Freezer runs too much Or tOO
long.

interior Freezer temperature is , Temperature Control is set too , Turn the control to a warmer setting. Allow several hours
too coM. low. for the temperature to stabilize.

Freezer is plugged into a circuit

that has a ground fault interrupt.

Temperature control is in the

OFF position.

Freezer may not be plugged in,

or plug may be loose.

House fuse blown or tripped

circuit breaker.

Power outage.
Room or outside weather is hot.

Freezer has recently been
disconnected for a period of
time.

Large amounts of warm or hot
food have been stored recently.

Doors are opened too frequently
or too long.

Freezer door may be sfightly
open.

Temperature Control is set too
Iow.

Freezer gasket is dirty, worn,
cracked, or poorly fitted.

Use another circuit. If you are unsure about the outlet,

have it checked by a certified technician.

See Setting the Temperature Control Section.

, Ensure plug is tightly pushed into outlet.

, Check/replace fuse with a 15 amp time delay fuse. Reset

circuit breaker.

Check house lights. Call IocaI Electric Company.

, It's normal for the freezer to work harder under these

conditions.

, It takes 4 hours for the freezer to cool down completely.

, Warm food wil! cause freezer to run more until the

desired temperature is reached.

Warm air entering the freezer causes it to run more.

Open doors less often.

, See ""DOOR PROBLEMS" Section.

, Turn control knob to a warmer setting. Allow several hours

for the temperature to stabilize.

Clean or change gasket. Leaks in the door seal will cause

freezer to run longer in order to maintain desired
temperature.

mntedor Freezer temperature is
too warm,

Freezer external surface , The external freezer walls can , This is normal while the compressor works to transfer
temperature is warm. be as much as 30°F warmer heat from inside the freezer cabinet.

SOUND AND NOISE

Louder sound mevels whenever , Modern freezers have increased , This is normal When the surrounding noise level is low,
freezer is on. storage capacity and more you might hear the compressor running while it cools the

Longer sound mevels when , Freezer operates at higher , This is normal Sound will level off or disappear as freezer
compressor comes on. pressures during the start of the continues to run.

, Temperature Control is set too

warm.

, Door is kept open too long or is

opened too frequently.

, Door may not be seating

properly.

, Large amounts of warm or hot

food may have been stored

recently.

, Freezer has recently been

disconnected for a period of
time.

than room temperature.

stable temperatures. They interior.

require a high efficiency
compressor.

ON cycle.

, Turn control to a colder setting. Allow several hours for the

temperature to stabilize.

Warm air enters the freezer every time the door is

opened. Open the door less often.

, See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section.

, Wait until the freezer has had a chance to reach its

selected temperature.

, Freezer requires 4 hours to cool down completely.

10

[

PROBLEM CAUSE _ CORRECTION

SOUND AND NOISE (Cont.)

Popping or cracking sound " Metal parts undergo expansion _ This is normal Sound will level off or disappear as
when compressor comes on. and contraction, as in hot water freezer continues to run=

pipes.

Bubbling or gurgling sound, ,, Refrigerant (used to cool ,, This is normal
mike water boiling, freezer) is circulating

throughout the system.

Vibrating or rattling noise.

,, Freezer is not Ievel. It rocks on

the floor when it is moved
slightly.

,, Floor is uneven or weak.

Freezer rocks on floor when it
is moved slightly.

,, Freezer is touching the wall

WATER/MOISTURE/FROST INSIDE FREEZER

Level the unit. Refer to "Leveling" in the First Steps
Section=

Ensure floor can adequateIy support freezer. Leve! the
freezer by putting wood or metal shims under part of the
freezer.

Relevei the freezer or move freezer slightly= Refer to

"LeveIing" in the First Steps Section=

This is normalMoisture forms on inside

See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section.

Open the door less often.

freezer walls.

,, Weather is hot and humid,

which increases intemat rate of
frost buildoup=

,, Door may not be seating

properly=

,, Door is kept open too long, or

is opened too frequently=

WATER/MOISTURE/FROST OUTSIDE FREEZER

Moisture forms on ouside of - Door may not be seating I" See "DOOR PROBLEMS" Section.
freezer, properly, causing the cold air

from inside the freezer to meet
warm moist air from outside.

/

ODOR/N FREEZER

Odors in freezer ,, Interior needs to be cleaned= _ Clean interior with sponge, warm water, and baking

,, Foods with strong odors are in ,, soda.

the freezer. Cover the food tightly=

DOOR PROBLEMS

Door will not close.

,, Freezer is not Ievel. It rocks on

the floor when it is moved
slightly.

,, Floor is uneven or weak.

Freezer rocks on floor when it
is moved slightly.

This condition can force the cabinet out of square and
misaiign the door. Refer to "Leveling" in the First Steps

Section.
Level the floor by using wood or metal shims under the

freezer or brace floor supporting the freezer.

LIGHT BULB/S NOT ON

Light bumb is not on. ,, Light buib is burned out= _ FolIow directions under "Interior Light" or "Mid Level

Light" in the Freezer Features Section.

,, No electric current is reaching See "FREEZER DOES NOT RUN" Section=

the freezer.

AUTOMATIC ICE MAKER

Automatic ice maker not - Ice maker is not working
working. (some models)

,, Water supply is turned off.
,, Water pressure is too low.

,, Ensure the wire signal arm is not in the UP position.
,, The freezer is not cold enough.

11