Black and Decker BCFA27B Compact Refrigerator User Manual

Black and Decker BCFA27B Compact Refrigerator

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

WARNING: Read all of the instructions before using this appliance. When using this appliance, always exercise basic safety precautions, including the following:
NOTE: If the refrigerator has been placed in a horizontal or tilted position for any period of time wait 24 hours before plugging the unit in.

1. Use this appliance only for its intended purpose as described in this user’s guide.
2. This refrigerator must be properly installed in accordance with the installation instructions before it is used. See the grounding instructions in the installation section.
3. Never unplug your refrigerator by pulling on the power cord. Always grasp the plug firmly and pull straight out from the outlet.
4. Repair or replace immediately all electric service cords that have become frayed or otherwise damaged. Do not use a cord that shows cracks or abrasion damage along its length, the plug or the connector end.
5. Unplug your refrigerator before cleaning or before making any repairs.
   Note: If, for any reason, this product requires service, please call the customer service hotline at 1-866-927-4833.
6. Do not use any electrical device or any sharp instrument in defrosting your refrigerator.
7. If your old refrigerator is not being used, we recommend that you remove the doors and leave the shelves in place. This will reduce the possibility of danger to children.
8. WARNING: After your refrigerator is in operation, do not touch the cold surfaces in the freezer compartment, particularly when hands are damp or wet. Skin may adhere to these extremely cold surfaces.
9. Do not refreeze foods that have been thawed completely. The United States Department of Agriculture in Home and Garden Bulletin No. 69 reads: “…You may safely refreeze frozen foods that have thawed if they still contain ice crystals or if they are still cold-below 40˚F.
   “…Thawed ground meats, poultry, or fish that have any off-odor or off-color should not be refrozen and should not be eaten. Thawed ice cream should be discarded. If the odor or color of any food is poor or questionable, discard it. The food may be dangerous to eat.
   “…Even partial thawing and refreezing reduce the eating quality of foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and prepared foods. The eating quality of red meats is affected less than that of many other foods. Use refrozen foods as soon as possible, to save as much of their eating quality as you can.”
10. This refrigerator should not be recessed or built-in in an enclosed cabinet. It is designed for freestanding installation only.
11. Do not operate your refrigerator in the presence of explosive fumes.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

DANGER
Risk of child entrapment. Before you throw away your old refrigerator or freezer, take off the doors. Leave the shelves in place so that children may not easily climb inside.

Parts And Features

1. Freezer Compartment
2. Ice Cube Tray
3. Drip Tray
4. Temperature Control
5. Full Width Shelves (2)
6. Leveling Legs(2)
7. Door Storage Shelf (2)

Installing Your Refrigerator

Unpacking Your Refrigerator

1. Remove all packaging material. This includes the foam base and all adhesive tape holding the refrigerator accessories inside and outside.
2. Inspect and remove any remains of packing, tape, or printed materials before powering on the refrigerator.

Leveling Your Refrigerator

• Your refrigerator has two leveling legs, which are located in the front bottom corners of your refrigerator. After properly placing your refrigerator in its final position, you can level your refrigerator.
• Leveling legs can be adjusted by turning them counterclockwise to raise your refrigerator or by turning them clockwise to lower your refrigerator. The refrigerator door will close easier when the leveling legs are extended.

Proper Air Circulation

• To ensure your refrigerator works at the maximum efficiency it was designed for, you should install it in a location where there is proper air circulation, plumbing and electrical connections.
• The following are recommended clearances around the refrigerator:
  Sides……………. .4″ (100mm)
  Top. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4″ (100mm)
  Back. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4″ (100mm)

WARNING: ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENT – SHOCK HAZARD

Electrical Requirement

• Make sure there is a suitable power outlet (115 volts, 15 amps outlet) with proper grounding to power the refrigerator.
• Avoid the use of three-prong adapters or cutting off the third grounding prong in order to accommodate a two-prong outlet. This is a dangerous practice since it provides no effective grounding for the refrigerator and may result in a shock hazard.

WARNING: USE OF EXTENSION CORDS- POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD

Use of Extension Cords

• Avoid the use of an extension cord because of potential safety hazards under certain conditions. If it is necessary to use an extension cord, use only a 3-wire extension cord that has a 3-blade grounding plug and a 3-slot outlet that will accept the plug. The marked rating of the extension cord must be equal to or greater than the electrical rating of the appliance. DO NOT USE EXTENSION CORD LONGER THAN 12 FT.

Installation Limitations

• Do not install your refrigerator in any location not properly insulated or heated, e.g. garage, etc. Your refrigerator was not designed to operate in temperature settings below 55˚ Fahrenheit.
• Select a suitable location for the refrigerator on a hard, even surface away from direct sunlight or heat sources, e.g. radiators, baseboard heaters, cooking appliances, etc. Any floor unevenness should be corrected with the leveling legs located on the front bottom corners of the refrigerator.

Door Alignment (see fig. # 1)

1. Remove the top hinge cover by using a flathead screwdriver. Place the head under the front edge of the cap and gently lift.
2. Loosen the top hinge screws using a Phillips head screwdriver.
3. Adjust the door or put a spacer in between and tighten the screws.
4. Replace the top hinge cover by aligning the rear of the cover with the rear of the hinge. Press firmly on the front of the cover until it snaps in place.

Refrigerator Features And Use

General Features

Adjustable temperature dial:

Your refrigerator will automatically maintain the temperature level you select. The temperature control dial has 5 settings, plus 0. 1 is the warmest. 5 is the coldest. At first, set the dial to 3 and allow 24 hours to pass before adjusting the temperature to your needs.

(Note: If the refrigerator has been placed in a horizontal or tilted position for any period, wait 24 hours before plugging the unit in.)

Freezer Compartment / Use of the Ice Cube Trays

This compartment is designed for making ice cubes and for short-term food storage (a few days at most).
WARNING: This compartment is not cold enough to freeze foods safely for more than 5 days.

• If the ice cube tray freezes to the bottom of the compartment, pour a little warm water around it to loosen it. Do not use boiling water, which can damage plastic parts, or sharp metal objects such as a knife or screwdriver, which can damage the cooling system tubing. Wash the ice cube tray in lukewarm water only. Do not wash in the dishwasher.

Refrigerator Interior Shelves

To remove or replace a full-width slide-out shelf: (see fig. # 2)

1. Gently tilt the shelf up and slide forward until the shelf has been completely removed.
2. To replace the shelf, gently slide the shelf back.

Food Storage Information

Fresh Food

• When storing fresh food that is not prepackaged, be sure to wrap or store food in airtight and moisture-proof material unless otherwise noted. This will ensure proper shelf life and prevent the transfer of odors and tastes.
• Wipe containers before storing to avoid needless spills.
• Eggs should be stored in an upright position in their original carton to maximize shelf life.
• Fruit should be washed and dried, then stored in sealed plastic bags before being stored in the refrigerator.
• Vegetables with skins should be stored in plastic bags or containers.
• Leafy vegetables should be washed and drained and then stored in plastic bags or containers.
• Hot food should be allowed to cool before being stored in the refrigerator. This will prevent unnecessary energy use.
• Fresh seafood should be used the same day as purchased.
• When storing meats in the fresh food section, keep them in the original packaging or rewrap as necessary. Follow the suggestions below for safe storage:
  • Chicken 1-2 Days
  • Ground Beef 1-2 Days
  • Cold Cuts 3-5 Days
  • Steaks/Roasts 3-5 Days
  • Smoked/Cured Meats 7-10 Days

For a detailed storage chart, visit the FDA website: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fttstore.html

Normal Operating Sounds You May Hear

• Boiling water, gurgling sounds, or slight vibrations are the result of the refrigerant circulating through the cooling coils.
• The thermostat control will click when it cycles on and off.

Proper Refrigerator Care and Cleaning

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Warning: To avoid an electric shock, always unplug your refrigerator before cleaning. Ignoring this warning may result in death or injury.
• Caution: Before using cleaning products, always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings to avoid personal injury or product damage.
• General: Prepare a cleaning solution of 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda mixed with warm water. Use a sponge or soft cloth, dampened with the cleaning solution, to wipe down your refrigerator.
  • Rinse with clean warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
  • Do not use harsh chemicals, abrasives, ammonia, chlorine bleach, concentrated detergents, solvents or metal scouring pads. Some of these chemicals may dissolve, damage, and/  or discolor your refrigerator.

Door Gaskets: Clean door gaskets every three months according to general instructions. Gaskets must be kept clean and pliable to assure a proper seal

• Petroleum jelly applied lightly on the hinge side of gaskets will keep the gasket pliable and ensure a good seal.

Defrosting

Defrost whenever frost on the wall of the freezer compartment becomes 1/8″ thick. Never use a sharp or metallic instrument to remove frost, as it may damage the cooling coils. (A punctured cooling coil will cause serious damage to the product and will void the warranty.) We recommend using a plastic scraper. To defrost, remove the food and ice cube tray from the freezer compartment. Make sure the drip tray is in place and unplug the unit. Defrosting usually takes a few hours. To defrost faster, keep the door open and place a bowl of warm water in the refrigerator. After defrosting, empty the water from the drip tray and wash the drip tray in warm water.

Power Interruptions

• Occasionally, there may be power interruptions due to thunderstorms or other causes. Remove the power cord from the AC outlet when a power outage occurs. When power has been restored, plug the power cord into the AC outlet. If the outage is for a prolonged period, inspect and discard spoiled or thawed food in the freezer and refrigerator. Clean the refrigerator before reusing.

WARNING: IF OUTAGE IS FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD, INSPECT AND DISCARD SPOILED OR THAWED FOOD IN FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR. CLEAN THE REFRIGERATOR BEFORE REUSING.

Vacation and Moving Care

• For long vacations or absences, empty from refrigerator and freezer, move the temperature dial to the OFF position and clean the refrigerator and door gaskets according to the “General Cleaning” section. Prop doors open, so air can circulate inside. When moving, always move the refrigerator vertically. Do not move with the unit lying down. Possible damage to the sealed system could occur.

Energy Saving Tips

• The refrigerator 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 them in the refrigerator. Overloading the refrigerator forces the compressor to run longer and thus increases energy consumption. Foods that are refrigerated too slowly may lose quality or spoil.
• Be sure to wrap foods properly and wipe containers dry before placing them in the refrigerator.
• The wire shelves should not be lined with aluminum foil, wax paper, or paper towels. Liners interfere with cold air circulation, making the refrigerator less efficient.
• Organize 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.

Troubleshooting

The refrigerator does not operate:

• Check if the thermostat control is not in the “0” position.
• Check if the refrigerator is plugged in.
• Check if there is power at the AC outlet by checking the circuit breaker.

Food temperature appears too warm:

• Frequent door openings.
• Allow time for recently added warm food to reach fresh food temperature.
• Check gaskets for proper seal.
• Adjust the temperature control to a colder setting.

The food temperature is too cold:

• If the temperature control setting is too cold, adjust to a warmer setting and allow several hours for the temperature to adjust.

The refrigerator runs too frequently:

• This may be normal to maintain a constant temperature during high temperatures and humid days.
• Doors may have been opened frequently or for an extended period of time.
• Check the gasket for a proper seal.
• Check to see if the doors are completely closed.
• The condenser coils may need to be cleaned.
• Moisture builds up on the interior or exterior of the refrigerator:
• This is normal during high-humidity periods.
• Prolonged or frequent door openings.
• Check door gaskets for proper seal.
• The refrigerator has an odor:
• The interior needs cleaning.
• Foods improperly wrapped or sealed are giving off odors.

The refrigerator door does not shut properly:

• Level the refrigerator.
• Re-align refrigerator door.
• Check for blockages, e.g., food containers, crisper cover, shelves, bins, etc.
• Popping or cracking sound when the compressor comes on:
• Check to ensure the refrigerator is level.
• The floor may be uneven or weak. The refrigerator rocks on the floor when it is moved slightly. Be sure the floor can adequately support the refrigerator. Level the refrigerator by putting wood or metal shims under part of the refrigerator.
• The refrigerator is touching the wall. Re-level the refrigerator and move it from the wall. See the “Installing Your Refrigerator” section.

Limited Warranty

What is covered and for how long?

This warranty covers all defects in workmanship or materials for a period of:

• 1 year parts (carry-in only)
• 1 year labor (carry-in only)
• 5 years sealed system (carry-in only)

The warranty commences on the date the item was purchased, and the original purchase receipt must be presented to the authorized service center before warranty repairs are rendered.

EXCEPTION: Commercial or Rental Use Warranty

• 90 days of labor (carry-in only)
• 90-day parts
• No other warranty applies

What is covered?

1. The mechanical and electrical parts, which serve a functional purpose in this appliance, are guaranteed for a period of 1 year. This includes all parts except finish and trim.
2. The components of the sealed system, e.g., hermetic compressor, condenser, and evaporator, are covered from manufacturing defects for a period of 5 years from the date of purchase. Any damages to such components caused by mechanical abuse or improper handling, or shipping will not be covered.

What will be done?

1. We will repair or replace, at our discretion, any mechanical or electrical part that proves to be defective in normal usage during the warranty period so specified.
2. There will be no charge to the purchaser for parts and labor on any covered items during the initial 1-year period. Beyond this period, only parts are covered in the remaining warranty. Labor is not provided and must be paid by the customer.
3. Contact customer service: 1-866-927-4833.
   THIS WARRANTY COVERS APPLIANCES WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, PUERTO RICO, AND CANADA. IT DOES NOT COVER THE FOLLOWING:
   • Damages from improper installation.
   • Damages in shipping.
   • Defects other than manufacturing.
   • Damage from misuse, abuse, accident, alteration, lack of proper care and maintenance or incorrect current or voltage.
   • Damage from anything other than household use.
   • Damage from service by someone other than an authorized dealer or service center.
   • Decorative trims or replaceable light bulbs.
   • Transportation and shipping.

Labor (after the initial 1 year).

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS GIVEN IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The remedy provided in this warranty is exclusive and is granted in lieu of all other remedies. This warranty does not cover incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. Some States do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights,  nd you may have other rights, which vary from state to state. New York, NY 10018

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Black and Decker BCFA27B Compact Refrigerator-FAQs