Whirlpool 3ET16NKXDG00 User manual

NO-FROST REFRIGERATOR-FREEZER
B
2170417
Use And Care Guide
Id9
I?

Table of Contents
Page
A Note to You ........................................... 2
Important Safety Instructions ................. 3
Parts and Features .................................. 4
Before Uslng Your Refrigerator .............6
Using Your Refrigerator .......................... 6
Setting the controls ............................... 6
Changing the control settings.. .............. 9
Removing the drop-in dcor
trim pieces.. ........................................... 9
Removing the snapoff door trim ......... 10
Removing the snap& door trivets ..... 10
Adjusting the door bins ....................... 10
Adjusting the utility compartment
and tray ............................................... 11
Adjusting the refrigerator shelves..
...... 11
Adjusting the EZ-Trackm
refrigerator shelf .................................. 12
Removing the meat drawer
and cover ............................................ 13
Removing the crispers and
crisper cover ....................................... 14
Page
Adjusting the crisper humidity
control ................................................. 15
Adjusting the crisper cover track ......... 16
Adjusting the freezer shelf.. ................. 16
Adjusting the half-width
freezer shelf ........................................ 16
Removing the pull-out freezer floor.. ...17
Using the ice cube trays.. .................... 17
Using the optional automatic
ice maker ............................................ 16
Removing the base grille.. ................... 19
Changing the light bulbs ..................... 19
Understanding the sounds you
may hear ............................................. 20
Saving energy ..................................... 21
Reversing the door swing.. .................. 21
Caring for Your Refrigerator ................. 22
Food Storage Guide .............................. 25
Troubleshootlng .................................... 27
Requesting Servke ................................ 27
Warranty .................................................. 26

A Note to You
Thank you for buying a Whirlpool0 appliance.
Because your life is getting busier and more complicated, Whirlpool Refrigerators are easy to
use, save time, and help you manage your home better. To ensure you enjoy years of
troublefree operation, we developed this Use and Care Guide. It contains valuable infomra-
tion about how to operate and maintain your appliance properly and safely. Please read it
oarefully.
Your safety is important to us.
This guide contains statements under
warning symbol. please pay special attention
to thii symbol and follow any instructions
given. Here is a brief explanation of the use
of the warning symbol.
This symbol will help alert you to such
dangers as personal injury, bums, fire,
and electrical shook.
Please record your model’s information.
Whenever you call to request service on Model Number
your appliance, you need to know your
complete model number and serial number. 6eriai Number
You oan find this information on the model Purchase Date
and serial number label (see diagram on Dealer Name
pages 4-5 for location of label).
Please also record the purchase date of
your appliance and your dealer’s name,
address, and telephone number.
Dealer Phone
Keep this book and the sales slip together in a safe place for future reference.

To reduce tiw risk of fire, ebctrkai shock, or injury when
using your refrigerator, kiiow these basic precautions:
l Read all instructions before using the
l Never allow children to operate, play
refrigerator. with, or crawl inside the refrigerator.
l Chlid entrapment and suffocation are not
l Never cban refrigerator psrts with
problems d the past. Junked or aban- fiammabie fluids. The fumss can
doned refrigefators are still dangerous ... create a firs hazard or expkdon.
eveniftheywilf~ustsitinthegaragea
few day~.~
l FOR YOUR SAFETY l
if you are getting rid of your old refrigera- DO NOT STORE OR USE GASOLINE OR
tar, do it safely. Please read the enclosed OTHER FLAMMABLE VAPORS AND
safety booklet from the Association of LIQUIDS IN THE ViCiNtTY OF THIS OR
Home Appfiince Manufacturers. Help ANY OTHER APPLIANCE. THE FUMES
prevent accidents. CAN CREATE A FIRE HAZARD OR
EXPLOSION.
- SAVE THESE INSTRUCTtONS -
Help us help you
Please:
l install and level the refrigerator on a floor
that will hokf the weight and ln an area
suitable for its size and use.
l Do not install the refrigerator near an oven,
radiittx, or other heat source.
l Do not use the refrigerator in an area
where the r-m temperature will fall below
13% (55°F).
l Keep the refrigerator out of the weather.
l Connect the refrigerator only to the proper
kind of outlet, with the correct electriil
supply and grounding.
l Do not load the refrigerator with food
before it has time to get properly cold.
l Use the refrigerator only for the uses
descrbed ln this manual.
l Properfy maintain the refrigerator.
l Be sure the refrigerator is not used by
anyone unable to operate it properly.
3

Parts and Features
This section contains captioned illustrations of your appliance. Use them to become familiar
with where all parts and features are located and what they look like.
Control panels
STYLE 1
STYLE 2
Refrl&ator F&or
control control
Freezer ahelf
i ii-
Control oanel H
Modal and
sertal number
label (on side
wall)
4

doortrim
Utility
- compartment
,Ew bin
I
Adjuetebie
Wh
* rhdvea
7llll~
IIIIII
Snwn
door trim
II 1”
c
I1111
Base grille
..a.
base grille)
ke cube traya and
h
-1111 I
Freezer light
haif-width
EZ-TrackW
Model and l erial

Before Using Your
Refrigerator
It is important to prepare your refrigerator for use. This section tells you how to clean it,
connect it to a power source, install it, and level it.
Cleaning your refrigerator
Removing packaging materials
Remove tape and any inside labels (except
the model and serial number label) before
using the refrigerator.
To remove any remaining glue:
l Rub briskfy with thumb to make a ball, then
remove.
OR
l Soak area with liquid handdishwashing
detergent before removing glue as de-
scribed above. Do not use sharp instru-
ments, rubbing alcohol, flammable fluids,
or abras’nrecleaners. These can damage
the material. See “Important Safety
Instructions” on page 3.
NOTE: Do not remove any permanent
instruction labels inside your refrigerator. Do
not remove the Tech Sheet fastened under
the refrigerator at the front.
Cleaning it before use
After removing all packaging materials,
clean your refrigerator before using it, if
necessary. See cleaning instructions on
pages22-23.
Plugging it in
Recommended Groundlng Method
A 115 Volt/Go Hz (Plug l), 220/240 Volt/50
Hz (Plug 2) or 220 Volt60 Hz (Plug 3) AC
only 15 or 20 arnpere fused and properly
grounded electrical supply is required. It is
recommended that a separate circuit serving
only this appliance be provided. Use a
receptacle which cannot be turned off with a
switch or pull chain. Do not use an extension
cord.
Plug 1
Plug 2
Plug 3
6

Installing it properly
1. Allow 1.25 cm (lh inch) space on each
side and at the top of the refrigerator for
ease of installation.
2. If the hinge side of the refrigerator is to be
against a wall, you might want to leave
extra space so the door can be opened
wider.
3. The refrigerator can be flush against the
back wall.
Leveling it
Your refrigerator has 2 front leveling
screws - one on the right and one on the
left. To adjust one or both of these, follow
the directions below.
1. Remove base grille. (See page 19.)
2. To raise front, turn screw clockwise.
3. To lower front, turn screw counterclock-
wise.
4. Check with level.
5. Replace base grille. (See page 19.)
Right to
7

Using Your Refrigerator
To obtain the best possible results from your refrigerator, it is important that you operate it
property. This section tells you how to set the controls, remove and adjust the features in your
refrigerator, and how to save energy.
Setting the controls
Controls for the refrigerator and freezer are
in the refrigerator. When you plug in the
refrigerator for the first time:
1. Set the Refrigerator Control to 3
(Recommended Setting). Refrigerator
Control settings range from 1 (warmest)
to 5 (coldest).
2. Set the Freezer Control to 3 (Recom-
mended Setting). Freezer Control
settings range from 1 (warmest) to 5
(coldest).
3. Give the refrigerator time to cool down
completely before adding food. This may
take several hours.
The settings indicated above should be
correct for normal, household refrigerator
usage. The controls are set correctly
when milk or juice is as cold as you like
and when Ice cream is firm. If you need to
adjust these settings, see “Changing the
control settings” on page 9.
STYLE1
STYLE2

Changing the control settings
If you need to adjust temperatures in
l Adjust the Refrigerator Control first.
refrigerator or freezer, use the settings listed
in the chart below as a guide.
l Wail at least 24 hours between adjustments.
l Then adjust the Freezer Control if needed.
CONDlTION:
Refrigerator
section
too warm
Freezer
section
too warm
Refrigerator
section
too cold
RECOMMENDED
REASON: CONTROL SETTINGS:
Refrigerator Freezer
l Door opened often
l Large amount of food added 4
2
l Room temperature too warm
l Door opened often
l Large amount of food added
aVery cold room temperature
3 4
(can’t cycle often enough)
l Controls not set correctly
for your conditions
2 4
Ice not
l Heavy be usage
made fast
l Very cold raom temperature
enough (can’t cycle often enough)
4 4
Both
sections
too warm
l Door opened often
l Large amount of food added
every warm or very cold room
teqeratures
4 4
Removing the drop-in door trim pieces
(on some models)
To remove the trim place:
1. Remove all items from the shelf.
2. Pull straight up on the trim piece at each
end.
To replace the trim piece:
1. Locate each end of the trim piece above
the trim pocket opening.
2. Push the trim piece straight down until it
stops.
3. Replace items on the shelf. 9

Removing the snap-off door trim
To remove the trim piece:
1. Remove all items from the shelf.
2. Pull out on the inside tab at each end of
the trim piece.
3. Lift trim piece straight out.
To replace the trlm piece:
1. Line up ends of the trim piece with the
button on the door liner wall.
2. Push trim piece straight back until it
snaps securely into place.
3. Replace items on the shelf.
Removing the snap-off door trivets
(on some models)
To remove the trivet:
1. Remove all items from the shelf.
2. Pull out on the inside tab at each end of
the trivet.
3. Lii trivet straight out.
To replace the trivet:
1. Line up ends of trivet with the button on
the door liner wall.
2. Push trivet straight back until it snaps
securely into place.
3. Replace items on the shelf.
Adjusting the door bins (on some models)
To remove door blns:
1. Lii bin up.
2. Pull bin straight out.
To replace door bins:
1. Slide bin in above desired support button.
2. Push down until it stops.
10

Adjusting the utility compartment and tray
(on some models)
The utility compfutment and tray slide from
one side-to the other for more flexible
storage. The tray fits on either side of the
utility comrtment or partially underneath ft.
Experiment and find the positiins that work
best for you.
To adjust the utility compartment or tray:
1. Lift the front slightly.
2. Slide to desired position.
3. Lower front to lock into place.
Adjusting the refrigerator shelves
Adjust-the shelvesto match the way you use
your refrigerator. Glass shelves are strong
enough to hold bottles, milk, and other
heavy food items.
Cantilever shelves
To remove a shelf:
1. Remove items from shelf.
2. Tilt shelf up at front.
3. Lii shelf at back.
4. Pull sheff straight out.
To replace a shek
1. Guide the rear shelf hooks into the slots
in the shelf supports on the back liner
wall.
2. Tilt front of shelf up until hooks drop into
slots.
3. Lower front of shelf to a level position.
Slide-out shelves
To remove the shelves:
1. Remove all items from the shelf.
2. Slide shelf straight out to the stop.
3. Lii the front slightly.
4. Slide shelf out the rest of the way.
To replace the shelves:
1. Fit back of shelf on top of guide with wire
stops on the bottom of the guide.
2. Lii the front.
3. Slide shelf in until it clears all stops.
STYLE1
NOTE: Glass shelves are heavy. Handle
them carefully .
STYLE2
11
11

Adjusting the EZ-Trackm refrigerator shelf
(on some models)
The U-Track shelf slide from side to side
for more flexible storage in your refrigerator.
To slide shelf sld+tmMe:
1. Lii slightly on shelf front.
2. Slide to desired bcatbn.
3. Lower shelf front to level position.
NOTE: You do not have to remove small
items from the shelf before moving it side-to-
side. You may need to remove larger items.
To remove the shelf:
1. Remove all items from the shelf.
2. Hold back of shelf with one hand.
3. Lii front of shelf to 45” angle.
4. Lower shelf slightly to release shelf from
upper channel of track Then pull shelf
straight out.
NOTE: Shelf is heavy. Make sure you use
both hands when removing shelf.
To remove shelf track:
1. Lii both sides of track slightly.
2. Pull track straight out.
To replace shelf track:
1. Guide track hooks into the shelf support
slots on the back wall of the cabinet.
NOTE: Make sure all three track hooks
are in slots and that the slots are parallel
to each other.
2. Push track backward and down.
3. Check that track is completely seated in
the shelf supports.
then slide to new location.
Umer channel
HoM wtth both hands
and lift front to 45’ angle.
Hold both sides and
lift up and out
Make
sure
both
sets of
hooks
are in
suppoRt
slots.
Shetf
\ support
12

To r&stall shelf~
1. Hold shelf at front and hack.
2. Till front of shelf up to a 45” angle to track.
3. Insert both rear shelf slides into upper
Upper channel
f track
channel of track.
4. Lower front of shelf to a level position.
NOTE: Make sure both rear shelf slides are
securefy in the track before letting go of
shelf.
lnrert rear shett s
Into upper channel of
track.
Removing the meat drawer and cover
Style 1
To remove the meat drawer:
1. Slide meat drawer out to the stop.
2. Lii front of meat drawer and slide meat
drawer out the rest of the way.
3. Replace in reverse order.
To adjust the cover positIon:
1. lilt front of cover up.
2. Lll hack of cover.
3. Pull cover straight out.
To replace the cover:
1. Guide the cover’s rear hooks into the
slots in the sheff supports on cabinet wall.
2. Tilt cover up at front until the hooks
drop into slots.
STYLE1
3. Lower front of cover to a level
position.
13

Style 2
Remove the meat drawer and cover for
easier cleaning.
To remove the meat drawer:
1. Slide meat drawer out to the stop.
2. Lii the front of the meat drawer.
3. Slide meat drawer out the rest of the way.
4. Replace in reverse order.
To remove the cover:
1. Remove meat drawer.
2. Push cover hack to release the rear of the
cover from the shelf.
3. lilt cover up at the front.
4. Pull cover forward and out.
To replace the cover:
1. Ffl notches and rear edge of cover over
rear and center crossbars on the shelf.
2. Lower cover into place.
3. Replace the meat drawer.
STYLE 2
Remove meat drawer before cover.
Removing the crispers and crisper cover
For your convenience, one crisper is slightly
larger than the other. Thii allows you to
store celery and other longer items in your
crisper.
To remove the crispers:
1. Slide crisper straight out to the stop.
2. Lift the front.
3. Sliie oul the rest of the way.
4. Replace in reverse order.
To remove the cover:
1. Push up the cover insert from the bottom,
then slide out with both hands.
2. Lii front of cover frame.
3. Lii cover frame up and out.
To replace the cover:
1. Pit hack of cover frame into notch sup
ports on hack wall of refrigerator, then
lower the front into place.
2. Sliie hack of cover insert into place, then
lower the front.
1
hJ Ilk Pulloutto
I
the stop,
lift the
front, and
pull again.
Remove the
cover Insert.
Llft the cover
front, then the
back
NOTE: lf
cover lnrert
I8 glam,
handle lt wlth
care. It could
be heevy.
14

Adjusting the crisper humidity control
You can control the amount of humidity in
the moisture-sealed crispers. Adjust the
control to any setting between LOW and
HIGH.
l LOW (open) lets moist air out of the crisper
for best storage of fruits and vegetables
with skins.
l HIGH (dosed) keeps moist air in the
crisper for best storage of fresh, leafy
vegetables.
Adjusting the crisper cover track
Because your crispers are not the same size,
your crisper cover has an adjustable center
track so you can switch positions of the
crispers. You can adjust the center track with
the cover in the refrigerator by removing the
crispers and the cover insert.
To remove the center track:
1. Push up the cover insert from the bottom,
then slide out with both hands.
2. Gently pull up on front end of track.
3. Pull rear end of track out of opening in
cover.
To replace the center track:
1. Insert rear end of track (with hole) into
opening in cover.
2. Lower front end of track into slot.
3. Make sure rear end of track has snapped
into place on under side of cover.
15

Adjusting the freezer shelf
Adjust the freezer shelf to match the way you
use your freezer.
To remove the shelf:
1. Lii entire shelf slightly.
2. Move shelf all the way to one side.
3. Tilt other side up and out of shelf support
cups.
4. Pull shelf up and out.
To replace the shelf:
1. Tilt the sheff and insert into freezer compart-
ment.
2. Insert one end of the shelf all the way into
the center of the shelf support cups.
3. Lower other end of shelf and insert into the
shelf support cups.
4. Lower shelf into place.
NOTE: The shelf should lower slightly and
lock into place. If the shelf does not appear
sturdy, make sure both ends of the shelf are
inserted into the shetf support cups.
Adjusting the half-width freezer shelf
(on some models)
Adjust the shelf according to the space you
need in your freezer. Use the bottom position
when you don’t need the shelf at all.
To adjust the shelf:
1. Remove items from the shelf.
2. Lii shelf up at front.
3. Pull shelf out to the stop.
4. Lii back of shelf.
5. Pull shelf out the rest of the way.
To replace the shelf:
1. Guide rear of shelf into desired guide.
2. Lii rear of shelf over stop.
3. Slide shelf in all the way.
4. Lower front into place.
16

Removing the pull-out freezer floor
(on some models)
The freezer floor pulls out for easier access to
foods in the back of the freezer and for easier
cleaning.
To remove the freezer floor:
1. Lii both back “fences” up and out.
2. Pull floor out about 1 inch (2.5 cm) with one
hand around the air tower section (center
back) and one hand at center front.
3. Lii floor up at rear until hooks release from
cabinet.
4. Pull floor out the rest of the way.
To replace the freezer floor:
1. Position back of floor into freezer opening.
2. Slide floor straight in until hooks drop into
place at rear of cabinet.
3. Replace “fences” by aligning pins with
sockets in the floor. Push down until they
snap into place.
Using the ice cube trays
If cubes are not used, they may shrink. The
moving cold air starts a slow evaporation.
The longer you store cubes, the smaller
they get.
To remove Ice:
1. Hold tray at both ends.
2. Twist slightly.
17

Using the optional automatic ice maker
If your refrigerator has an automatic ice
maker, or if you plan to add one later
(contact the dealer for ice maker kit num-
ber), here are a few things you should know.
l The ON/OFF lever is a wire signal arm.
DOWN to make ice automatically
UP to shut off the ice maker
IMPORTANT: Do not turn ice maker on
until you connect it to the water suppfy.
l If you remove the ice bin, raise the signal
arm to shut off the ice maker. When you
replace the bin, push it in all the way and
lower the ice maker signal arm to the ON
position.
UP
to atop
ke mnker.
DOWN
to start
ke maker.
l Good water quality is important for good
ice quality. Try to avoid connecting the ice
maker to a softened water supply. Water
softener chemicals (such as salt from a
maffunctioning softener) can damage the
ice maker rnokl and lead to poor ice
qualii. lf you cannot avoid a softened
water supply, make sure the water soft-
ener is operating property and is well
maintained.
Solving common ice maker problems
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE/SOLUTlON
Ice crescents attached
l This is normal. They break apart easily. Shake bin occasion-
at corners ally to keep cubes separated.
Ice maker will not
l ON/OFF lever is in the OFF (up) position. Lower lever to the
operate or Ice Is not ON (down) position.
made fast enough
l Freezer is not cold enough. Adjust temperature controls and
wait 24 hours. (See “Changing the control settings” on page 9.)
Off-taste or odor In ke
l New plumbing connections can cause discolored or off-
flavored ice. Discard the first few batches of ice.
l Cubes are stored too long. Throw them away and make a new
supply.
l Food is not wrapped properly. See page 25.
l Freezer and ice bin need to be cleaned. See page 22.
18

Removing the base grille
To remove the base grllb:
1. Open the refrigerator door.
2. Grasp the grille with both hands.
3. Push down on the top edge of the grille to
release the top clips.
4. Roll grille toward you to release top dips.
5. Pull grille away from the refrigerator.
NOTE: DCnot remove the Tech Sheet
fastened behind the grille.
To replace the base gtllle:
1. Line up the edges of the grille with the
outside edges of the cabinet.
2. Roll the grille toward you.
3. Place the lower clips in the openings in
the metal panel.
4. Roll the grille toward the cabinet until the
top dips snap into place.
5. Close the refrigerator door.
See cleaning instructions for defrost pan and
condenser coils on page 23.
Condenser D&o81
Cilpr
Changing the light bulbs
Electrical Shock Hazard
Before removing a light bulb or removing
a light shield for cleaning, either unplug
the refrigerator or disconnect the elec-
tricity leading to it at the main power
WP~.
Failure to do so could rwuft in electrical
shock.
L
To change refrigerator light:
1. Disconnect refrigerator from power
WPly .
2. Reach behind Control Panel to remove
bulb.
3. Replace with a 40-watt appliance bulb.
4. Reconnect refrigerator to power suppfy.
STYLE1
J
19