Maytag MBF2256KEW - Bottom Freezer Refridgerator User manual

1
Important Safety Instructions
WARNING – Hazards or unsafe practices which
COULD result in severe personal injury or death.
WARNING
DANGER – Immediate hazards which WILL result
in severe personal injury or death.
DANGER
CAUTION – Hazards or unsafe practices which COULD
result in minor personal injury or property damage.
CAUTION
What You Need to Know About
Safety Instructions
Warning and Important Safety Instructions appearing in
this guide are not meant to cover all possible
conditions and situations that may occur. Common
sense, caution and care must be exercised when
installing, maintaining or operating appliance.
Always contact the manufacturer about problems or
conditions you do not understand.
Recognize Safety Symbols, Words,
Labels
Installer: Please leave this guide with this appliance.
Consumer: Please read and keep this Use & Care
Guide for future reference. This guide provides
proper use and maintenance information.
Keep sales receipt and/or cancelled check as proof
of purchase.
Call: 1-800-688-9900 U.S.A.
1-800-688-2002 Canada
Have complete model and serial number
identification of your refrigerator. This is located on a
data plate inside the refrigerator compartment, on
the upper left side. Record these numbers below for
easy access.
Model Number _______________________________
Revision Number ______________________________
Serial Number ________________________________
Date of Purchase______________________________
In our continuing effort to improve the quality and
performance of our appliances, it may be necessary
to make changes to the appliance without revising
this guide.
This appliance is equipped with a three-prong
grounding plug for your protection against possible
electrical shock hazards. It must be plugged into a
grounding receptacle. Where a standard two-prong
wall receptacle is encountered, it is the personal
responsibility and obligation of the customer to have it
replaced with a properly grounded three-prong wall
receptacle. Do not under any circumstances, cut or
remove the third (ground) prong from the power cord.
Do not use an adapter plug.
Power supply cord with
three-prong grounding plug
Grounding type
wall receptacle
To reduce risk of injury or death, follow basic
precautions, including the following:
IMPORTANT: Child entrapment and suffocation
are not problems of the past. Junked or abandoned
refrigerators are still dangerous – even if they sit out
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
children may not easily climb
inside.
DANGER

2
Important Safety Instructions
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
To reduce risk of fire, electric shock, serious injury or
death when using your refrigerator, follow these basic
precautions, including the following:
1. Read all instructions before using the refrigerator.
2. Observe all local codes and ordinances.
3. Be sure to follow grounding instructions.
4. Check with a qualified electrician if you are not
sure this appliance is properly grounded.
5. Do not ground to a gas line.
6. Do not ground to a cold-water pipe.
7. Refrigerator is designed to operate on a separate
115 volt, 15 amp., 60 cycle line.
8. Do not modify plug on power cord. If plug does
not fit electrical outlet, have proper outlet installed
by a qualified electrician.
9. Do not use a two-prong adapter, extension cord
or power strip.
10. Do not remove warning tag from power cord.
11. Do not tamper with refrigerator controls.
12. Do not service or replace any part of refrigerator
unless specifically recommended in Use & Care
Guide or published user-repair instructions. Do
not attempt service if instructions are not under-
stood or if they are beyond personal skill level.
13. Always disconnect refrigerator from electrical
supply before attempting any service. Disconnect
power cord by grasping the plug, not the cord.
14. Install refrigerator according to Installation
Instructions. All connections for water, electrical
power and grounding must comply with local
codes and be made by licensed personnel when
required.
15. Keep your refrigerator in good condition. Bumping
or dropping refrigerator can damage refrigerator
or cause refrigerator to malfunction or leak. If
damage occurs, have refrigerator checked by
qualified service technician.
16. Replace worn power cords and/or loose plugs.
17. Always read and follow manufacturer’s storage
and ideal environment instructions for items being
stored in refrigerator.
18. Your refrigerator should not be operated in the
presence of explosive fumes.
19. Children should not climb, hang or stand on any
part of the refrigerator.
20. Clean up spills or water leakage associated with
water installation.
WARNING

3
Installation
Your refrigerator was packed carefully for shipment.
Remove and discard shelf packaging and tape. Do not
remove the serial plate.
Location
•Do not install refrigerator near oven, radiator or other
heat source. If not possible, shield refrigerator with
cabinet material.
•Do not install where temperature falls below 55° F
(13° C) or rises above 110° F (43° C). Malfunction
may occur at this temperature.
•Refrigerator is designed for indoor household
application only.
Measuring the Opening
When installing your refrigerator, measure carefully.
Allow 1⁄2" space at top and 1⁄2" space behind the
machine compartment cover (located in the rear) for
proper air circulation.
Subflooring or floor coverings (i.e. carpet, tile, wood
floors, rugs) may make your opening smaller than
anticipated.
Some clearance may be gained by using the leveling
procedure under Leveling.
IMPORTANT: If refrigerator is to be installed into a
recess where the top of the refrigerator is completely
covered, use dimensions from floor to top of hinge cap
to verify proper clearance.
Transporting Your Refrigerator
•NEVER transport refrigerator on its side. If an
upright position is not possible, lay refrigerator on its
back. Allow refrigerator to sit upright for
approximately 30 minutes before plugging it in to
assure oil returns to the compressor. Plugging the
refrigerator in immediately may cause damage to
internal parts.
•Use an appliance dolly when moving refrigerator.
ALWAYS truck refrigerator from its side or
back–NEVER from its front.
•Protect outside finish of refrigerator during transport
by wrapping cabinet in blankets or inserting padding
between the refrigerator and dolly.
•Secure refrigerator to dolly firmly with straps or
bungee cords. Thread straps through handles when
possible. Do not overtighten. Overtightening
restraints may dent or damage outside finish.
Leveling
To protect property and refrigerator from damage,
observe the following:
•Protect vinyl or other flooring with cardboard, rugs,
or other protective material.
•Do not use power tools when performing leveling
procedure.
CAUTION
To enhance the appearance and maintain performance,
the refrigerator should be level.
Note
•Complete any required door reversal, panel
installation and/or a water supply connection,
before leveling.
Materials Needed
•3⁄8" hex head driver
•Carpenter’s level
1. Remove toe grille.
•Grasp firmly and pull outward
to unclip.
2. Remove bottom bracket cover(s).
•Place the eraser end of a pencil or similar blunt
tool in the cover notch.
Notch
Location
•Use slight pressure to pry the
cover loose.
•Continue to maintain
downward pressure to the
notched side of the cover while
swinging it off.

4
Installation
CC
ABA
B
4. Select models also have rear adjustment screws
(B). Using the hex head driver, turn each of these
adjustment screws (B) to raise or lower the rear of
the refrigerator.
5. Using the carpenter’s level, make sure front of
refrigerator is 1⁄4" (6 mm) or 1⁄2bubble higher than
back of refrigerator and that the refrigerator is level
from side to side.
6. Turn stabilizing legs (C) clockwise until firmly
against floor.
7. Freezer drawer models only: Turn adjustment
screws (A) counterclockwise to allow the full
weight of the refrigerator to rest on the stabilizing
legs.
8. Replace bracket cover(s).
•Position cover into the outer edge of the hinge.
•Swing the cover toward the cabinet and snap it
into place.
9. Replace the toe grille.
To avoid electrical shock which can cause severe
personal injury or death, observe the following:
•Disconnect power to refrigerator before removing
doors or drawer. Connect power only after
replacing doors or drawer.
WARNING
To avoid damage to walls and flooring, protect vinyl
or other flooring with cardboard, rugs or other
protective material.
CAUTION
1. Unplug power cord from power source.
2. Remove toe grille and bottom bracket
cover(s) (see page 3).
3. Remove top hinge cover from
refrigerator door by removing Phillips
screw and retain screw and cover for
later use.
4. Unscrew 5⁄16" hex head screws from
top hinge to remove hinge and retain
all screws for later use.
5. Lift refrigerator door from center
hinge pin.
6. For swing freezer door models
only: Hold freezer door while removing
hinge pin with a 5⁄16" hex head driver.
Remove door from bottom hinge and
retain hinge pin for later use.
For pullout freezer drawer models
only: Remove plastic sleeve, if
present. Remove center hinge pin with
a 5⁄16" hex head driver. Retain hinge pin
and plastic sleeve for later use.
7. Remove Phillips screws to remove
center hinge and retain all screws for
later use.
8. Remove bottom hinge or stabilizing
bracket with 3⁄8" hex head driver and
retain screws for later use. Lift out
bottom hinge pin (on freezer door
models).
9. If your model has a pullout freezer drawer, see
page 5 for drawer removal instructions.
Note
•For proper reinstallation, ensure the “top” marking
on the interior of the toe grille is oriented correctly.
•Align the toe grille mounting clips with the lower
cabinet slots.
•Push the toe grille firmly until it snaps into place.
Note
•Some models only have adjustment screws “A.”
Door and Drawer Removal
Some installations require door/drawer removal to
transport the refrigerator to its final location.
3. Using hex head driver, turn the front adjustment
screws (A) on each side to raise or lower the front
of the refrigerator.

5
Installation
6. Lift top of drawer front
to unhook supports
from rail system. Lift
door front out to
remove.
2. While supporting door front,
hook supports into tabs
located on inside of rail.
Pullout Freezer Drawer
(select models)
To avoid electrical shock which can cause severe
personal injury or death, disconnect power to
refrigerator before removing doors. After replacing
doors, connect power.
WARNING
To prevent accidental child entrapment or
suffocation risk, do not remove the divider in the top
freezer basket.
DANGER
To avoid possible injury, product, or property
damage, you will need two people to perform the
following instructions.
CAUTION
To Remove:
1. Pull drawer open to full extension.
2. Pull upper basket out to full extension and lift out
to remove.
3. Lift lower basket straight up and out to remove.
4. On each side rail is a
basket cradle with two snap
attachments. To release
each cradle, unlatch the
snaps by pushing them
inward, away from the side
rail system. Lift the cradles
off of the rails.
5. Remove Phillips screw
from each side of rail
system (select models).
To Install:
1. Pull both rails out to full
extension.
3. Lower door front into
final position.
4. Replace and tighten Phillips screws that were
removed from each side of rail system (select
models).
5. Place the basket cradles back onto the side rails.
Align snaps with the slots on the side rails and
press each snap towards the rail until it clicks.
6. With rails pulled out to full extension, set the
basket straight down into the basket cradles.
7. Slide upper basket into freezer. Make sure that rear
of basket hooks behind rail catch.
Basket cradle
snap attachments

6
Installation
Reinstallation of the Doors
1. Install hinge assemblies:
•Install top hinge loosely with 5⁄16" hex head
screws.
•Install center hinge with Phillips screws.
•Freezer door models: Install bottom hinge with
3⁄8" hex head screws.
2. Freezer door models: Insert bottom
hinge pin.
•Locate bottom hinge hole closest to
outside edge of cabinet, and insert
bottom hinge pin. Replace any door
shims, if present.
3. Freezer door models: Place hinge
side of freezer door on bottom hinge
pin and hold freezer door upright
while installing center hinge pin with
5⁄16" hex head driver.
•Replace plastic sleeve.
•Replace any applicable door shims.
•Make sure the hinge pin is installed tightly.
4. Place hinge side of refrigerator door on center
hinge pin.
5. While holding refrigerator door
upright, tighten down top hinge
with 5⁄16" hex head driver and
replace hinge cover.
Door Reversal
In some installations, reversing the door swing allows
for more convenient access to stored items. Both
doors can be reversed on freezer door models and the
fresh food door is reversible on freezer drawer models.
1. Remove door(s) (see page 4).
2. Transfer cabinet plugs and cabinet
screws to opposite side of cabinet.
•Remove cabinet plugs with flat
blade of screwdriver tip wrapped
in masking tape.
•Remove center mullion screws
with 5⁄16" hex head screwdriver.
•Freezer door models: Remove bottom mullion
screws with 3⁄8" hex head driver.
3. Transfer door stops from bottom edge of fresh food
door and freezer door, if applicable, to opposite
side of door edge.
•Use a Phillips screwdriver
for removal and installation.
4. Install handles (see pages 6
and 7).
5. Reinstall the door(s).
Handles
If not installed, the handle is located in the interior of
the fresh food section or attached to the back of your
refrigerator.
Remove and discard handle packaging and tape.
Handle design varies from refrigerator to refrigerator.
Please reference the appropriate instructions for your
model below.
Fresh Food Handles
Standard Front Mount Handle
Materials Needed
•Phillips screwdriver
•5⁄16" hex head driver
To Install:
1. Remove 1⁄4" hex head screws from
door face with hex head driver, and
Phillips screw from top of door.
•If reversing door, remove door
plugs from opposite side of door and
insert in screw holes.
2. Align handle holes with screw holes on
door face and secure with two door face
screws from step 1.
To avoid possible injury and damage to property:
•Place doors on a nonabrasive surface protected by
towels or rugs while working directly on doors.
CAUTION

3. Locate handle trim in literature pack and
install over top and bottom of handle, as
illustrated.
•Secure top handle trim with remaining
screw removed in step 1.
•Snap bottom trim over bottom portion
of handle.
To Remove:
1. Remove top handle trim by removing top
handle screw.
•Retain trim and screw for later
replacement.
2. Pry bottom handle trim from handle with
screwdriver flat blade wrapped in
masking tape.
•Retain trim for later replacement.
3. Remove two hex head screws.
•Retain screws for later replacement.
Side Mount Handle
Materials Needed
•Phillips screwdriver
To Install:
1. Remove screws from the side of the
door.
2. Align the side mount handle with the
predrilled holes in the door panel.
3. Insert the screws in the sequence as
shown.
7
Installation
4. Ensure the door handle is snug to the
door panel.
To Remove:
Reverse installation procedure.
Upper
Handle
Lower
Handle
1
3
2
4
Notes
•There is a slight curve to
this style of freezer
handle.
•For proper installation, be
sure handle is oriented as shown.
To Install:
1. Align door handle clips slightly to the left of the
tabs attached to the freezer door.
2. Rotate the handle so the left base is flat against
the door.
Freezer Handles
Partial-Width Handle
Materials Needed
•Phillips screwdriver
To Install:
1. Install handle by fastening with
screws removed from edge of door.
•If reversing freezer door, remove
door plugs from top edge of door
and insert into screw holes.
To Remove:
1. Remove handle screws with Phillips
screwdriver and retain screws for
later use.
Front Mount Freezer Handle
Materials Needed
•Gloves to protect hands.
•Phillips screwdriver.
•Plastic handle removal card (or 1⁄32" thick plastic
card). Retain the card.
Handle
Clip Handle
Base
Door
Tab

Installation
8
3. Push the left handle
base against the left
door tab and slightly
to the right, just
enough to allow it to
hang unsupported.
4. While firmly supporting the left handle base against
the door, align the right base of the handle with the
right tabs that are attached to the door.
5. Now, while firmly holding the handle at the left and
right bases, gently slide the handle towards the
right until the right base settles in. The handle
should now be flat against the face of the freezer
door at both the left and right bases.
6. With hands still firmly keeping the handle flat
against the freezer door, you may have to reverse
directions momentarily to assure clip/tab
engagement. Then firmly slide the handle to the
right until it clicks. The audible "click" indicates
that the fastening clips are securely interlocked.
To Remove:
1. At the right end, flex the handle base away from
the surface of the freezer drawer. Simultaneously
slide the door handle removal card that came with
your refrigerator under the right side base of the
handle. Slide the card to the line indication or until
it stops, which will be approximately 11⁄2".
2. With both hands, firmly grasp the handle towards
the right base.
3. Slide towards the left, lift and remove from the
surface.

9
Connecting the Water Supply
(select models)
To reduce the risk of injury or death, follow
basic precautions, including the following:
•Read all instructions before installing ice maker.
•Do not attempt installation if instructions are not
understood or if they are beyond personal skill
level.
•Observe all local codes and ordinances.
•Do not service ice maker unless specifically
recommended in Use & Care Guide or published
user-repair instructions.
•Disconnect power to refrigerator before installing
ice maker.
•Water damage due to an improper water
connection may cause mold/mildew growth.
Clean up spills or leakage immediately .
WARNING
To avoid property damage or possible injury,
follow basic precautions, including the
following:
•Consult a plumber to connect 1⁄4” O.D. copper
tubing to household plumbing to assure
compliance with local codes and ordinances.
•Confirm water pressure to water valve is between
35 and 100 pounds per square inch. 20 pounds
per square inch if there is not a water filter.
•Do not use a self-piercing, or 3⁄16" saddle valve.
Both reduce water flow and can become clogged
over time, and may cause leaks if repair is
attempted.
•Tighten nuts by hand to prevent cross threading.
Finish tightening nuts with pliers and wrenches.
Do not overtighten.
•Wait 2-3 hours before placing refrigerator into final
position to check and correct any water leaks.
Recheck for leaks after 24 hours.
•Verify the copper tubing under the sleeve is
smooth and free from defects. Do not reuse an old
sleeve.
CAUTION
Materials Needed
•1⁄4" outer diameter flexible copper tubing
•Shut-off valve (requires a 1⁄4" hole to be drilled into
water supply line before valve attachment)
•Adjustable wrench
•1⁄4" hex nut driver
IMPORTANT: Do not overtighten. Cross
threading may occur.
6. Pull on tubing to confirm connection is
secure. Connect tubing to frame with
water tubing clamp (C) and turn on
water supply. Check for leaks and
correct if necessary. Continue to
observe the water supply connection
for two to three hours prior to moving
the refrigerator to its permanent
location.
7. Monitor water connection for 24 hours. Correct
leaks, if necessary.
Note
•Add 8' to tubing length needed to reach water
supply for creation of service loop.
1. Create service loop with copper
tubing (minimum 2’ diameter).
Avoid kinks in the copper tubing
when bending it into a service
loop.
2. Remove plastic cap from water valve inlet
port.
3. Place brass nut (A) and sleeve (B) on
copper tube end as illustrated.
Reminder: Do not use an old
sleeve.
4. Place end of copper tubing into
water valve inlet port. Shape tubing
slightly. Do not kink – so that tubing feeds
straight into inlet port.
5. Slide brass nut over sleeve and screw nut
into inlet port. Tighten nut with wrench.
Installation
C
AB
2’ diameter
minimum