GE 20 User manual

GE Appliances
Refrigerators
Side by side
WATER CRUSHEDICE
Part No. 162D7744P003 Pub. No. 49-6906
Models 20–27
Owner’s Manual

Congratulations!
You Are Now Part of the GE Family.
Welcome to the GE family.
We’re proud of our quality
products and we are
committed to providing
dependable service. You’ll
see it in this easy-to-use
Owner’s Manual and you’ll
hear it in the friendly voices
of our customer service
department.
Best of all, you’ll experience
these values each time you
use your refrigerator.
That’s important, because
your new refrigerator will
be part of your family for
many years. And we hope
you will be part of ours for a
long time to come.
We thank you for buying
GE. We appreciate your
purchase, and hope you
will continue to rely on us
whenever you need quality
appliances for your home.
2
Important!
Staple sales slip or cancelled
check here.
Proof of the original purchase date
is needed to obtain service under
the warranty.
Write the model and serial
numbers here.
#
#You can find them on a label on the
wall beside the top drawer or at the
bottom, just inside the fresh food
compartment door.

GE&You,
AService Partnership.
Inside you will find many
helpful hints on how to use and
maintain your refrigerator
properly. Just a little preventive
care on your part can save you a
great deal of time and money
over the life of your refrigerator.
Read this Manual
Ask any GEappliance owner and they will
tell you we stand behind our products with
unmatched quality service. However, did
you know that most questions result from
simple problems that you can easily fix
yourself in just a few minutes? This
Owner’s Manual can tell you how.
You’ll find many answers to
common problems here.
If you review our chart of
Troubleshooting Tips first, you may
not need to call for service at all.
Review the Section on
Troubleshooting Tips
If you do need service, you can
relax knowing help is only a
phone call away. A list of toll-free
customer service numbers is
included in the back section. Or,
in
the U.S.,
you can always call the GE
Answer Center®at 800.626.2000,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In
Canada,
call 800-361-3400.
If You Need Service
English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Français . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Español . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Languages
Safety Information
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . .4
How to Connect Electricity . . . .6
Use of Adapter Plugs . . . . . . .6, 7
Use of Extension Cords . . . . . . .7
Operating Instructions
Temperature Controls . . . . .8–10
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11–14
Ice Service . . . . . . . . . . . . .15, 16
Ice and Water Dispenser . .17, 18
Care and Cleaning . . . . . . .19–22
Installation Instructions
Preparing to
Install the Refrigerator . . . .23, 24
Water Line Installation . . .25–29
Troubleshooting Tips
Normal Operating Sounds . . . .30
Before You
Call For Service . . . . . . . . .31–34
Customer Service
Warranty
for Canadian Customers . . . . .35
Warranty
for U.S. Customers . . . . . . . . . .36
Service Telephone
Numbers . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
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Use this appliance only for its intended purpose as
described in this Owner’s Manual.
■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, particularly
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.
■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 icemaking
mechanism while the
refrigerator is plugged in.
■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.
■Unplug the refrigerator
before cleaning and making
repairs.
NOTE: We strongly recommend
that any servicing be performed
by a qualified individual.
■Turning the control to the
OFF position does not remove
power to the light circuit.
■Do not refreeze frozen
foods which have thawed
completely.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions
should be followed, including the following:
WARNING!

IMPORTANT:
PROPER DISPOSAL OF THE REFRIGERATOR
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
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 doors.
■Leave the shelves in place so that children may not
easily climb inside.
CFC Disposal
Your old refrigerator has a cooling system that used
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). CFCs are believed to harm
stratospheric ozone.
If you are throwing away your old refrigerator, make
sure the CFC refrigerant is removed for proper disposal
by a qualified servicer. If you intentionally release this
CFC refrigerant you can be subject to fines and
imprisonment under provisions of the Federal Clean
Air Act.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
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 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.
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.
USE OF ADAPTER PLUGS
Because of potential safety hazards under certain conditions,
we strongly recommend against the use of an adapter plug.
However, if you must use an adapter, where local codes permit, a
temporary connection may be made to a properly grounded 2-prong
wall outlet by use of a UL-listed adapter available at most local
hardware stores.
WARNING!

7
The larger slot in the adapter must be aligned with the larger slot in
the wall outlet to provide proper polarity in the connection of the
power cord.
When disconnecting the power cord from the adapter, always hold
the adapter in place with one hand while pulling the power cord
plug with the other hand. If this is not done, the adapter ground
terminal is very likely to break with repeated use.
If the adapter ground terminal breaks,
DO NOT USE the refrigerator
until a proper ground has been established.
Attaching the adapter ground terminal to a wall outlet cover screw does not
ground the appliance unless the cover screw is metal, and not insulated, and the
wall outlet is grounded through the house wiring. You should have the circuit
checked by a qualified electrician to make sure the outlet is properly grounded.
Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
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, 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.
REMEMBER…
Your continued health and safety are important to us.
Please read and follow this Safety Information carefully.
We want you to remain a happy and healthy part of our
GE family.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
About the controls on the refrigerator.
The temperature controls on your refrigerator have letters and numbers.
Initially set the fresh food control at 5and the freezer control at C.
If you want colder or warmer temperatures, adjust the fresh food
temperature first. When satisfied with that setting, adjust the freezer
temperature.
Initial Setting 5
Coldest 9
Fresh Food
●
1
3
5
7
9
F
F
O
Initial Setting C
Coldest E
Freezer
●
ABCDE
1
2

Fresh Food Control
The fresh food control maintains the temperatures
throughout the fresh food compartment.
Moving the fresh food control to
OFF stops cooling in
both areas—fresh food and freezer—but does not shut
off power to the refrigerator.
Freezer Control
The freezer control maintains the temperatures
throughout the freezer compartment.
Automatic Energy Saver System
You won’t find an energy saver switch on this refrigerator.
Warm liquid from the refrigerator’s condenser is
automatically circulated around the front edge of the
freezer compartment to help keep moisture from
forming on the outside of the refrigerator during
humid weather.
Many refrigerators use special electric heaters. This
refrigerator needs none. That’s why there is no
energy
saver
switch…there’s no need for it.
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
1
2
Control Settings

About the controls on the refrigerator.
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
Use the milk test for the fresh food compartment. Place a container
of milk on the top shelf and check it a day later. If the milk is too
warm or too cold, adjust the temperature controls.
Use the ice cream test for the freezer compartment. Place a
container of ice cream in the center of the freezer and check it after
a day. If it’s too hard or too soft, adjust the temperature controls.
After changing the controls, allow 24 hours for the refrigerator to reach the
temperature you have set.
How To Test Temperatures
The type of packaging used and the storage temperatures will affect
how long food will keep in the refrigerator.
New food storage guidelines are constantly being developed.
Consult the County Extension Service for the latest information on freezing and
storing foods.
Food Storage

Freezer Compartment:
To Remove To Replace
Fresh Food Compartment:
To Remove To Replace
About the refrigerator shelves.
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Not all features are on all models.
Shelves in the fresh food and freezer compartments are adjustable.
Rearranging the Shelves
Spillproof Shelves
Spillproof shelves have special edges to help prevent
spills from dripping to lower shelves.
Lift up and out
2Tilt up
1
Insert
top hook
1
Lower to
lock in place
2

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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
About the refrigerator shelves and bins.
Not all features are on all models.
Bins on the Fresh Food Compartment Door
Adjustable bins can easily be carried from refrigerator to
work area.
To remove: Lift bin straight up until mounting hooks
disengage.
To replace or relocate: Select desired shelf height, engage
bin’s hook in slots on the tracks of the door, and push in.
Bin will lock in place.
The divider helps prevent tipping, spilling or sliding of
small items stored on the door shelf. Place a finger on
either side of the divider near the front and move it back
and forth to fit your needs.
Juice Can Rack
Cans of frozen juice are easily accessible when stored in
the rack on the freezer compartment door.
To load it, place the first can in the bottom of the rack.
Then load additional cans into the rack from the top.
Deep Door Shelves in the Freezer Compartment
Detachable shelf extenders deepen and enclose fixed
door shelves, providing more storage room and greater
storage flexibility.
To remove: Lift the shelf extender straight up until the
mounting hooks come out of the slots in the door.
To replace: Line up the hooks with the slots in the door
and push in and down.
2
1
Place first can here.
Additional cans go here.
2
1
Divider

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.
Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Adjustable Humidity Drawers
Slide the control all the way to the veg high setting
to provide high humidity recommended for most
vegetables.
Slide the control all the way to the fruit low setting to
provide lower humidity levels recommended for
most fruits.
Adjustable Humidity Pan
veg high fruit low
Convertible Meat Drawer
The convertible meat drawer has its own cold air duct to
allow a stream of cold air from the freezer compartment
to flow around the drawer.
The variable temperature control regulates the air flow
from the freezer compartment.
Set control lever
down to the coldest setting to store
fresh meats. If lever is left in meat position for a long
period of time, some frost may form on the inside of the
drawer.
Set control lever
up to convert the drawer to normal
refrigerator temperature and provide extra vegetable
storage space. Cold air duct is turned off. Variable
settings between these extremes can be selected.
The sealed snack pack can be moved to the most useful location for
your family’s needs.
Sealed Snack Pack
13
Normal
Coldest

About storage drawer removal.
Not all features are on all models.
Drawer Removal
Drawers can easily be removed by tilting up slightly and
pulling past
stop location.
On some models you may need to remove the door bins from the
fresh food door before removing the drawers.
If the door prevents you from taking out the drawers,
the refrigerator will need to be rolled forward until the
door opens enough to slide the drawers out. In some
cases when you roll the refrigerator out you will need to
move the refrigerator to the left as you roll it out.
When replacing the drawers, make
sure you slide them through the drawer
guides on the left side.
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Drawer Guides
Left Side
Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service

About ice service.
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
A kit containing copper tubing, shutoff valve, fittings and
instructions needed to connect the icemaker to your cold water line
is available at extra cost.
See the Preparing to install the refrigerator section.
Water Supply Kit
Water Filter Accessory
The water filter is an option at extra cost and is available
from your dealer. Specify WR97X0214. It has complete
installation instructions and installs on 1/4″O.D.
copper water line.
If your refrigerator did not come already 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.
Icemaker Accessory Kit
On some models
Ice Trays
To release ice cubes, turn the tray upside down, hold it
over a container, and twist both ends.
For only one or two ice cubes, leave the tray right-side
up, twist both ends slightly, and remove as many cubes
as you want.
Wash ice trays in lukewarm water only—do not put them in an
automatic dishwasher.

About the automatic icemaker.
A newly-installed refrigerator may take 8 to 12 hours to begin making ice.
Automatic Icemaker
(on some models)
The icemaker will produce eight cubes per cycle—
approximately 120 cubes in a 24-hour period,
depending on 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, raise the ice
access door and make sure the feeler arm is in 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
freezing. A newly-installed refrigerator may take
8 to 12 hours to begin making ice cubes.
Throw away the first few batches of ice to allow the water
line to clear.
Be sure nothing interferes with the swing of the feeler arm.
It is normal for several cubes to be joined together.
If ice is not used frequently, old ice cubes will become
cloudy and taste stale.
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
Icemaker
Ice Storage Bin
Feeler arm
in the
STOP
(up) position
Feeler arm in the
ON (down) position

About the ice and water dispenser.
On some models
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Rotate
Drive
Mechanism
Ice Storage Bin
To remove:
Lift the left corner to free the bin from the shelf
and pull the bin straight out while supporting it at
front and rear.
To replace:
Slide the bin back until the tab on the bin locks into the
slot on the shelf. If the bin does not go all the way back,
remove it and rotate the drive mechanism 1/4 turn.
Then push the bin back again.
To Use the Dispenser
Press the rim of the glass gently against the dispenser pad.
Set the selector switch to CUBES,CRUSHED ICE (on some
models) or
WATER.
After crushed ice is dispensed, some water may drip
from the chute.
The spill shelf is not self-draining. To reduce water
spotting, the shelf and its grille should be cleaned
regularly.
If no water is dispensed when the refrigerator is first installed, there
may be air in the water line system. Press the dispenser pad for at
least two minutes to remove trapped air from the water line and to
fill the water system.
A light switch (on some models) turns the night light in
the dispenser on or off. The light also comes on when
the dispenser pad is pressed. The light in the dispenser
should be replaced with a 7 watt maximum bulb when it
burns out.
CAUTION: Never put fingers or any other
objects into the ice crusher discharge opening.
Spill Shelf

About the ice and water dispenser.
On some models
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
■Add ice before filling the glass with a beverage. This will prevent
splashing, which could cause the ice selector switch to stick or
bind.
■Do not add ice from trays or bags to the storage bin. It may not
crush or dispense well.
■Avoid overfilling glass with ice and use of narrow or extra-tall
glasses. Backed-up ice can jam the chute or cause the door in the
chute to freeze shut. If ice is blocking the chute, poke it through
with a wooden spoon.
■Beverages and foods should not be quick-chilled in the ice
storage bin. Cans, bottles or food packages in the storage bin
may cause the icemaker or auger to jam.
Crushed Ice. Some crushed ice may be dispensed even though you
selected
CUBES. This happens occasionally when a few cubes
accidentally get directed to the crusher.
Sometimes a mound of snow will form on the door in the ice chute.
This condition is normal and usually occurs when you have
dispensed crushed ice repeatedly. The snow will eventually
evaporate.
Water. Press the dispenser pad for at least two minutes to remove
trapped air from the water line and to fill the water system.
To flush out impurities in the water line, throw away the first six
glassfuls of water.
Dispensed water is not chilled. For colder water, simply add crushed ice or cubes
before dispensing water.
Important Facts About Your Dispenser

Care and cleaning of the refrigerator.
Cleaning the Outside
The dispenser spill shelf (on some models) should be
wiped dry. Water left on the shelf may leave deposits
that you can remove by soaking with undiluted vinegar.
Soak until the deposit disappears or becomes loose
enough to rinse away.
The dispenser pad (on some models). Clean with warm
water and baking soda solution—about a tablespoon
(15 ml) of baking soda to a quart (1 L) of water. Rinse
thoroughly and wipe dry.
HINT: Open the freezer door part way to prevent dispensing of ice
or water when cleaning.
The door handles and trim.
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.
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.
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Press here to
remove grille.

Care and cleaning of the refrigerator.
20
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 L) 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.
Drain opening in freezer compartment. During yearly
cleaning, remove bottom freezer basket and flush a
solution of baking soda—1 teaspoon (5 ml) and 2 cups
(500 ml) of hot (not boiling) water— through the drain
line with the help of a meat baster. This will help
eliminate odor and reduce the likelihood of a clogged
drain line. If drain becomes clogged, use a meat baster
and baking soda solution to force the clog through the
drain line.
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.
Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service