Whirlpool ET12AK User manual

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NO-FROST
REFRIGERATOR-
FREEZER
Model ET12AK
1s freezers Aelrlgerator-Freezers. Ice Makers DIshwashers Built-In Ovens. and Surface Units. Ranges. Microwave Ovens. Trash Campaclors. Room Air Condltloners Dehumldlf

Please read this
Use and Care Guide
before you do anything else...
This booklet tells you how to start your refrig-
erator, clean it, move shelves and adjust con-
trols. It even tells you what new sounds to expect
from your refrigerator.
Treat your new refrigerator with care. Use it
only to do what home refrigerators are de-
signed to do.
Parts and features
r
Cube
Trays i
Freezer Shelf T
Refrigerator I
Control I
Utility
Bin I
I
Crisper
Cover -
Crisper
Leveling
Leg 4
Copy your Model and Serial Numbers here...
When you need service or call with a question,
have this Information ready: Model Number
1. Complete Model and Serial Numbers [from the
label located as shown).
2. Purchase dote from sales slip. Serial Number
Copy this information in these spaces. Keep this
book, your warranty and sales slip together in a Purchase Date
handy place.
Please complete and mail the Owner Regis-
tration card furnished with this product. Service Company and Telephone Number
2

Contents
Page
-3 Page SAFETY FIRST Adjusting the Refrigerator Shelves - 6
BEFORE YOU PLUG IT IN 3 Ice Cube Trays 7
Install Properly 4 Optional Automatic Ice Maker 7
Level Refrigerator-Freezer 4 Sounds You May Hear 7
Remove Sales Labels 4 Energy Saving Tips 7
Clean It, 4 CLEANING YOUR REFRIGERATOR 8
Plug It In 4 Cleaning Chart, 8
USING YOUR REFRIGERATOR 5 FOOD STORAGE GUIDE 9
Setting the Controls 5 9
Changing the Control Settings Storing Fresh Food
5 Storing Frozen Food 10
Power Savina Control 5 VACATION AND MOVING CARE 10
Moving the Meat Pan 6 IF YOU NEED SERVICE OR ASSISTANCE 11
Changing the Light Bulb 6 I, Before Calling for Assistance 11
Removing the Crisper and Cover 6 2. If You Need Assistance 11
Removing and Adjusting 3. IfYouNeedService ,.,,,,,,.,,...,. 11
the Freezer Shelf 6 4. IfYouHaveaProblem ,,,.,.,.,,,,,, 11
01986 Whirlpool Corporation
Before you plug it in
IMPORTANT
Before using your refrigerator, you are personally
responsible for making sure that it...
l is installed and leveled on a floor that will hold
the weight, and in an area suitable for its size
and use.
l isconnected only to the right kind of outlet, with the
right electrical supply and grounding. (Refer to
your “Electrical Requirements and Groundrng
Instructions,“)
l is used only for jobs expected of home re-
frigerators.
l is not near an oven, radiator or other heat source.
l is properly maintained.
l is out of the weather.
l isused In an area where the room temperature will
not fall below 55’ F (13” C].
l ISnot used by those who may not understand how
it should be used
l is not loaded with food before it has time to get
properly cold

Install properly.. .
.
1. Allow 3 inches (7.5 cm] between overhead cabi-
nets and refrigerator top.
2. Allow at least on inch (2.5 cm) between the
refrigerator condenser on the bock and the wall
3. Allow % inch (1.25 cm] on each side of the
refrigerator for ease of installation.
4. If the refrigerator is to be against a wall, you might
wont to leave extra space on the hinge side so the
door con be opened wider.
Level refrigerator-freezer.. .
I, Keep the 4 bolts that hold refrigerator in shipping
crate. They ore the levelling legs.
2. Screw these bolts all the way into bolt holes at the
bottom corners of refrigerator. Roll refrigerator into
place.
3. Lower legs just enough to lift rollers off floor.
4. Adjust each until the refrigerator won’t rock.
5. Adjust front legs to level the refrigerator.
-To raise corners, turn legs in direction shown.
- To lower corners, turn legs in direction shown.
6. Check with level.
Remove sales labels.. .
Remove the Consumer Buy Guide label. tape and
any inside labels before using the refrigerator
To remove any remaining glue:
I. Rub briskly with thumb to make a ball then remove.
OR
2. Soak area with dishwashing detergent solution (1
teaspoon detergent in 1quart worm water) before
removing glue as described in step 1.
DO NOT USE rubbing alcohol or flammable or
toxic solvents, such as acetone, gasoline, car-
bon tetrachloride, etc. These can damage the
material.
NOTE: DO NOT REMOVE ANY PERMANENT IN-
STRUCTION LABELS INSIDE YOUR REFRIGERATOR.
Do not remove the Tech Sheet fastened under
the refrigemtor at the front.
Clean it.. .
Clean your refrigerator
before using It.
See cleaning instructions
on page 8.
Plug it in...
Sprang grounding
type wall receptacl
Refrigerator
Power Cord
RECOMMENDED GROUNDING METHOD
A 115 Volt, 60 Hz., AC only 15 or 20 ampere fused
and properly grounded electrical supply is re-
quired. It is recommended that a separate circuit
serving only this appliance be provided.
Do not use an extension cord. Use a recep-
tacle which cannot be turned off with a switch
or pull chain. See individual electrical require-
ments and grounding instruction sheet in your liter-
ature package
4

Using your refrigerator
/
Power Saving Control Light Switch Freezer Control
Refrigerator Control
Setting the controls.. .
Controls for the refrigerator and freezer are in the
refrigerator. When the refrigerator is plugged in for
the first time..
1. Set the REFRIGERA-
TOR CONTROL to 3.
2. Set the FREEZER
CONTROL to B.
Changing the control settings.. .
If you need to adjust temperatures in refrigerator
or freezer, use the settings listed in the chart below.
Glve the refrigerator time to cool down com-
pletely before adding tood. [This may take sev-
eral hours,)
These settings should be about right for normal
household refrigerator usage.
The controls will be set about right when milk or
juice IS as cold as you like and when ice cream
is firm.
l Adjust the Refrigerator Control first.
l Wait at least 24 hours between adjustments.
l Then adjust the Freezer Control, if needed.
RECOMMENDED CONTROL
CONDITION : REASONS: SETTINGS:
i~-.-a”.a~-_j”c..etI ._I I.,. ^.rCI.mII-IB-saLv” n-r -~s-Ssel”r1..
If Refrigerator Door o$$d ‘often Refrigerator
Section is Large amount of food added Freezer :
TOO WARM Room temperature too worm
lll.l “..
IfFreezer .-“’ ‘” . ...mp,IDIam-U”~m.u *-*. &.,I.I--*.*.-.-~-~L-.-~rrYl:~.~ w~t:wrI*n.
Doer opened often Refrigerator 3
Section is Large amount of food added Freezer A
TOO WARM Very cold room temperature
QUESTIONS?
...catt your am..- .c.>.-,m .. .U_” ....x-..
(can’t cycle often enough).
.. ._n.l,~mx.,m- 1..“ST,. ,, ,,.~..,-xP.,-~~-~LTnm-,.r-T--* ..
COOL-LINE’s If Refrigerator Controls not set correctly Refrigerator 2
Freezer B
service Section is for your conditions
assistance TOO COLD
,...A,I. -“r.‘-,: ...*a* “_rLL L . , I ,L,.Ir_ .> _S.>.” -yi.l,” -_
;ec);;hbheqne IfICE isn’t Heavy ice usage Refrigerator 3 MADE FAST ENOUGH Very cold room temperature Freezer A
@we 11). If BdiH SECTtiNS * _ (can’t cycle often eys!h)
.“ITe.a,-I,I* -i /. _ _..,. . ,.rIl-r<T-..ees-.?-I*.*
Door opened often Refrigerator 4
ore TOO WARM Large amount of food added Freezer B
Very worm or very cold
room temperatures
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Power Saving Control.. .
The Power Saving Control on the Control Con-
sole operates electric heaters around the door I, Use the CdNSUMES LESSENERGY” setting when
openings. These heaters help keep moisture from humidity is low.
fuming on the outside of the refrigerator. 2. Use the “REDUCES EXTERIOR MOISTURE” setting
only If moisture forms on the outside of the
refrigerator.
e .I . -.** /. *.?, -.._i_ ..> ._ 1
5

Moving the meat pan and cover...
The meat pan and cover can be removed for
cleaning and moved to another shelf, if desired.
Remove the meat pan first.
Removing:
I, Slide meat pan out to stop.
2. Lift the front of meat pan.
3. Slide pan the rest of the way out.
4. To remove cover, lift it straight up and out
Replacing:
I, To replace cover, frt notches In cover sides over
center shelf support.
2. Lower cover Into place.
3. To replace pan, fit edges of pan into supports on
cover.
4. Slide meat pan into place.
Changing the light bulb.. .
WARNING: Before removing the light bulb, either
unplug the refrigerator or disconnect
the electricity leading to the re-
frigerator at the main power supply.
Shock and injury can occur if elec-
tricity remains connected.
Removing crisper and crisper cover.. .
Removing Crisper:
l Slide crisper straight out.
Removing Cover:
1. Lift back, then slide to the rear until the front con be
lifted.
2. Lift cover up and out.
Replacing Cover:
1. Slide the front cover tabs into the back of the front
supports on the refrigerator wall.
2. Lower back into place.
Removing and adjusting the freezer shelf...
To remove shelf:
1 Lift front slightly.
2. L1f-tback off supports
3 Replace tn reverse order.
To adjust shelf:
1. Remove shelf.
2 Remove supports by slrdrng upwards
3. Replace supports on desired level
4. Replace shelf.
1. Reach behind control console to find bulb.
2. Remove bulb.
3. Replace with a 40.watt appliance bulb.
Adjusting the refrigerator shelves...
I, First, remove food from shelf.
2. Slide shelf straight out to stop.
3. Lift front.
Guide Stop-
4. Slide the rest of the way out.
Replacing Shelf:
Shelf Stop
I. Fit back of shelf on top of guides with wire stops
on the bottom of guides.
2. Lift front, slide shelf in until it clears guide stops.
Shelf Guide
6

Ice cube trays.. .
If cubes ore not used, they may shrink. The moving
cold air starts a slow evaporation The longer cubes
ore stored, the smaller they get
To remove ice:
1 Hold troy at both ends
2. Slightly twist.
Optional automatic ice maker.. .
If you hove the automatic ice maker accessory or
plan to odd one later (Port No. ECKMF-83). there ore a
few things you will wont to know:
l The ON /OFF lever is a wire signal arm.
Down...for making ice automatically,
Up...to shut off the ice maker.
l Shake the bin occasionally to keep cubes sepa-
rated, and to obtain increased storage capacity.
On
l It is normal for ice crescents to be attached by Q
corner. They will break apart easily
l You will hear water running when ice maker is
working. You’ll hear ice fall Into the bin. Don’t let
these sounds bother you.
l The ice maker will not operate until the freezer is
cold enough to make ice. This con take overnight.
l Because of new plumbing connections, the first
ice may be dlscolored or off-flavored. Discord the
first few botches of ice.
l If ice is not being mode fast enough and more ice
is needed, turn the Refrigerator Control toward o
higher number. Wait a day and, If necessary, turn
the Freezer Control toward A.
l If you remove the ice bin, rase the signal arm to
shut off the Ice maker. When you return the bin.
push it all the way in and lower the arm to the ON
position.
l If cubes ore stored too long, they may develop on
off-flavor...like stole water. Throw them away. They
will be replaced. Cubes in the Ice bin con OISO
become smaller by evaporation.
l Good water quality ISimportant for good ice quality
It is not recommended that the ice maker be con-
nected to a softened water supply Water softener
chemicals such as salt from a malfunctioning soft-
ener con damage the ice maker mold and lead to
poor quality ice. If a softened water supply cannot
be avoided, then it is important that the water soft-
ener be well maintained and operating properly.
Sounds you may hear.. .
3
P
‘/
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Possible Sounds:
l Slight Hum, Soft Hiss:
l Clicking or Snapping
Sounds:
l Water Sounds:
l Ice Maker Sounds:
-trickling water
-thud (clatter of ice]
l Running Sounds:
Your new refrigerator may make sounds that your old one didn’t.
Because the sounds ore new to you, you might be concerned about
them. Don’t be. Most of the new sounds ore normal. Hard surfaces like
the floor, walls and cabinets con make the sounds seem louder.
The following chart describes the kinds of sounds that might be new
to you. and what may be making them.
Probable Causes:
You may hear the refrigerator’s fan motor and moving Qlr.
The defrost timer makes a definite click when the refrigerator stops running. It
also makes a sound when the refrigerator starts.
When the refrigerator stops running, you may hear gurgling in the tubing for a
few minutes after it stops. You may also hear defrost water running into the
defrost water pan.
If your refrigerator has on ice maker, you may hear buzzing [from the water
valve). trickling water and the clatter of ice dumped into the bin.
Your refrigerator has a high-efficiency compressor and motor. It will run longer
than older designs. It may even seem to run most of the time.
Energy saving tips...
You con help your refrigerator use less electricity.
l Check door gaskets for a tight seal Level the cabl-
net to be sure of a good seal.
l Clean the condenser coil regularly.
l Open the door as few times OSpossible Think about
what you need before you open the door Get
everything out at one time Keep foods organized
so you won’t hove to search for what you want.
Close door as soon as food is removed.
l Go ahead and fill up the refrigerator, but don’t over
crowd it so air movement is blocked
l It is a waste of electricity to set the refrigerator and
freezer to temperatures colder than they need to
be If Ice cream ISfirm In the freezer and drinks ore
as cold as your family likes them, that’s cold enough.
l Keep the Power Saving Control on CONSUMES LESS
ENERGY unless moisture forms on refrigerator
exterior
l Make sure your refrigerator is not next to a heat
source such as o range, water heater, furnace, radi-
ator, or In direct sunlight 7

Cleaning your refrigerator
Both the refrrgerator and freezer sections defrost To clean your refrigerator, turn the Refrigerator
automatrcally. But both should be cleaned about Control to OFF, unplug it, take out all removable
once a month to help prevent odors from building parts, and clean it according to the followrng
up. Of course, spills should be wiped up right away. directions.
Cleaning chart...
Part
,.,, : ..v I “.
Removable parts
(shelves, crrsper, meat
pan etc.)
Outside
What to use
Sponge or cloth; mrld
detergent and warm
water.
Sponge, cloth or paper
towel, mild detergent;
appliance wax [or good
auto paste wax).
How to clean,.l ..,~.‘,._ , -- -, ,~
l Wash removable parts with warm water
and a mrld detergent.
l Rinse and dry
l Wash with warm water and a mrld de-
tergent Do not use abrasive or harsh
cleansers.
l Rinse and dry
l Wax painted metal surfaces at least
twice a year with appliance wax or a
good auto paste wax. Apply wax with
a clean, soft cloth. Do not use wax
on plastic parts.
Waxing painted metal surfaces provides rust protection.
a - pr-rp--~m.-.~ <a--.+. -..-?A I,L._._.
lnslde walls [Freezer
.z ,IYc.Y-III* _r.l.-.... 1. ._i -.- ” ,.
Sponge. soft cloth or
_.L =..,, ~. *
. Wash wii6’;.rm,;~ter .& * ^
should be allowed to paper towel, baking
warm up so cloth won’t soda, warm water, mild
stick.) detergent
-mild detergent or
~ bakrng soda (2 tablespoons [26 g] to
1quart [ 95 I] warm water.
l Rinse and dry
Door liners and gaskets Sponge, soft cloth or l Wash wrth mild detergent and warm
paper towel; mild water.
detergent, warm water
l Rinse and dry
DO NOT USE Cleaning waxes, concentrated detergents,
bleaches or cleansers containing petroleum on plastic parts.
s-‘.s<l~,. ,I.*.YII_.YI”Y,-U__I--,~~,,,FI___,, ,. .xamC^/~%Ar_ll.~.“lrLP-.mIIIyy.‘ ._“-aTw,1-L*z.-.-n ,.IyLId, II _m, _n_l__i:.xs.? .ncII.S.1 .. ,.
Dark plastics Mild detergent and
l Wash with a soft grit-free cloth or
[covers and panels] warm water; soft, clean sponge.
sponge and soft, clean
l Rinse and dry with a damp grit-free
cloth cloth or chamois
DO NOT USE paper towels, window sprays, scouring cleansers,
or flammable or toxic solvents like acetone, gasoline, carbon
tetrachloride, etc. These can scratch or damage the material.
“r---“..- vK*-, _*..- _..II _ ,,r., . .,,..
Defrost pan iiCM4._..IVlramAe&I.1e1-.,~&U”/ , ./x “~~.dNYIUlr..I-~~j,c-_(,~lIL. ., I Sponge or cloth: mild l Roll refrigerator out away from wall.
(behind refrigerator detergent and warm
l Wash defrost pan with warm water
on top of the motor) water. and mild detergent. Do not
remove defrost pan to clean.
l Rinse and dry
l Roll refrigerator back into place.
-----.-~*__l_. rn.“W”...~...F.~ Ij.~“u-I..,...,-_.. _,._--ia =.-lvu1uia*I-..,m,. ,r .
Condenser coils .,/-_ .-,,-- .. _. .-_y ..-.-- I_“,.-,I_ZYI I.rr
Use vacuum cleaner l Clean dust and lint from condenser
with brush attachment. COIISbehrnd the refrigerator at
least once every other month.
l Leave an inch (2.54 cm) between
wall and condenser coils on back
of the refrigerator
-3-m? -‘ a-*e n.~~~.%*-.?.S..,-
Floor under refrigerator L.-.x:,~~“.__,_. .,.y,__,..” i.,.-w._,
Usual floor cleaners. . RolI refr;s~~~~~~~~~~~~~.~~.~ wb7[“-.-,-”
l Wash floor.
l Roll refrigerator back into place.
l Check to see Ifthe refrigerator
ISlevel.
a

Food storage guide
STORING FRESHFOOD
There is a right way to package and store refrig-
erated or frozen foods. To keep foods fresher, longer,
take the time to study these recommended steps
Leafy Vegetables. Remove store wrapping and
trim or tear off bruised and discolored areas Wash tn
cold water and drain Place in plastic bag or plastrc
container and store in crisper Cold, moist air helps
keep leafy vegetables fresh and crisp
Vegetables with Skins (carrots, peppers).. Store
in crisper, plastic bags or plastic container
Fruits .Wash, let dry and store In refrigerator In
plastic bags or crrsper Do not wash or hull berries
until they are ready to use Sort and keep berries in
their store container in a crisper. or store In a loosely
1ctosed paper bag on a refrigerator shelf
Meat- Meat IS pertshable and expensive you
won’t want to waste an ounce of it through careless
handling. The following list and chart give you pack-
aging hints and trme limrts Store meat in the meat
pan
Fresh, Prepackaged Meat. Store fresh meat In
the store wrapping. Vacuum packaged meat can
be frozen for as long as one month If the seal ISnot
broken. If you want to keep it frozen longer, you
should wrap it with special freezer wrapprna material
Fresh Meat, Not Prepackaged. Remove the
market wrapping paper and re-wrap in aluminum foil
for storing it unfrozen
Cooked Meat. Wrap or cover cooked meat with
plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store immediately.
Cured or Smoked Meat and Cold Cuts. Ham,
bacon, sausage, cold cuts, etc , keep best in origi-
nal wrapprngs. Once opened, tightly re-wrap in
plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Canned Ham. Store in refrigerator unless the la-
bel says it’s okay to store on the shelf. Do not freeze.
Fresh Poultry...Wrap In plastic wrap. The plastic
wrap on poultry, as purchased, may be used for
storage.
STORAGECHARTFORFRESHANDCUREDMEAT*
We Approxlmate llme
(days)
Varlety Meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . it02
Chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to2
Ground Beef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2
Steaks and Roasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to 5
Cured Meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 to10
Bacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St07
Cold Cuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to 5
*If meat is to be stored longer than the times given,
follow the directions for freezing.
NOTE: Fresh fish and shellfish should be used the
same day as purchased.
Eggs .Store without washing In the origlnal car-
ion or use the Utility Bin that came with your
refrigerator
Milk Wipe milk cartons For best storage, place
milk on interior shelf
Beverages ..Wipe bottles and cans Store on a
door shelf or Inside the refrigerator.
Butter Keep opened butter In covered dash or In
the Utilrty Compartment When storing an extra sup-
ply, wrap in freezer packagrng and freeze.
Cheese .Store In the origrnal wrapping until
you are ready to use it Once opened, re-wrap
tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil
Condlments Store small Jars and bottles (cat-
sup, mustard, jelly, olives) on the door shelves where
they are in easy reach.
leftovers Cover leftovers with plastrc wrap or
aluminum foil to keep food from drying out and
transferrrng food odors Plastic containers with trght
lids are fine, too
9

STORING FROZEN FOOD
The freezer section ISdestgned for storage of com-
mercrally frozer foods and for freezing foods at
home
Packaging - 7he secret of successful freezing IS
In the packagrng The wrap you use must be air.
morsture and vapor proof. The way you close and
seal the package must not allow arr, moisture or
vapors In or out
Rrgrd polyethylene (plastrc) containers with tight-
flttrng lids, straight-sided conning freezrng jars.
heavy-duty aluminum foil, plasticcoated paper and
non-permeable plastrc wraps (such as Saran) are
recommended Note, Heat-sealed boiling bags are
easy to use and can be used by themselves or as
carton liners.
IMPORTANT: Do not expect your freezer to qulck-
freeze any large quantlty of food. leave enough
space for air to circulate around packages. Be
careful to leave enough room at the front JO the
door can close tlghtly.
Ice Cream Store In the freezer Once the pack-
age ISopened, place a piece of alumrnum fori or
L
STORAGECHARTFORFROZENFOOD
Storage times given in this chart are only a
guide. For best use of freezer space, keep fro-
zen foods for short times. Use, then replace as
needed.
Bread .......................... 2months
Cooked Dishes ............... 2-3 months
Flsh and Seafoods
Fresh ......................... 6months
Commercially Frozen ...... l-3 months
Frults ........................... 6 months
Ice Cream ........ :. ............. 1 month
Concentrated Juice
.......... 4-6 months
Meats
Bacon ................ less than 1 month
Pork roasts, chops .......... 3-4 months
Sausage ................... . l-2 months
Beef, veal. lamb roasts ....... 6 months
Ground meat ................ l-2 months
Poultry ..................... 3-4 months
Vegetables .................... 6 months
plastic wrap smoothly against the ice cream surface ‘Courtesy of NatIonal Lrvestock and Meat Board and
Thts WIIIprevent ice crystals from forming USDA I
Packaged Frozen Food Store on freezer door
shelf or In the freezer. If you plan to store it for a long
time. re-wrap it with alumrnum foil or plastic wrap
Frozen Meats- The followrng hints will help
keep the quality In your frozen meats.
I. Freeze meat while fresh and in top condition
2. Use only recommended wrapprng materrals.
3. Prepare the meat for freezing before wrap-
ping it. Trim off excess fat and remove bones
when practical. Meat should not be salted
because salt shortens freezer life.
4. Wrap tightly. pressing out as much atr as
possible.
5. Label and date It
6. Refreezing thawed meat ISnot recommended
Frozen Soups, Juices Store on freezer door
shelf or In the freezer
Vacation and moving care
Short vacations. . .
No need to shut off the refrrgerator If you WIII be
away for less than four weeks. Use up perishables,
freeze other Items If your refrigerator is equrpped
with an automatic Ice maker, 1) turn It off; 2) shut off
the water supply to the Ice maker, 3) empty the Ice
bin
Long vacations. . .
Remove all the food If you are going for o month
or more. If your refrigerator IS equipped with an
outomatrc Ice maker, turn off the water supply to
10
the ice maker at least a day ahead When the last
load of Ice drops, turn off the tee maker
Unplug the refrigerator and clean it rinse well
and dry. Tape rubber or wood blocks to both doors
.keeping them open far enough for air to get in
This will keep odor and mold from burlding up.
WARNING: Tape blocks out of a child’s
reach...do not allow children near
the refrigerator when the doors are
blocked open. They may become
injured or trapped.
To restart refrrgerator, see “Usrng Your Refrigerator ”