Fridgemaster MTTZ4430 Instruction Manual Download Page 5

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USING YOUR FREEZER

Switching on your Freezer

1 Before connecting the Freezer to the mains supply make sure that the

Thermostat Control Dial, located at
the rear the Freezer, is set between
positions 2 and 3 but closer to 3,
which is the correct setting for use in
a room of average temperature.

2 Wait 24 hours before placing food

into the cabinet to allow for the
Freezer to fall to the correct
temperature.

Adjusting the temperature

The internal tem r

p ature of your Freezer is controlled by a thermostat.

Position 5 makes the Freezer coldest. Position 1 makes it warmest. The
temperature in the Freezer compartment should be maintained at -18

or lower. The Freezer may not operate at the correct temperature if it is in
a particularly hot or particularly cold room or if you open the Freezer door
very often.

Is the Freezer cold enough?

If you are concerned that your Freezer is not being kept cold enough,
and wish to check the temperature, you will need a special freezer
thermometer available from most supermarkets and hardware shops.
Place the thermometer on the middle shelf of the Freezer, where it can
be read easily. Leave overnight, the temperature in the Freezer should
be

-18˚C

or lower, when the Freezer is situated in a room where the

temperature is between

16˚C

and

38˚C.

Noises inside the Freezer!

If you have not owned a Freezer before, you may notice that it makes
some rather unusual noises. Most of these are perfectly normal, but you
should be aware of them!

GURGLING, WHOOSHING

These noises are caused by the circulation of the refrigerant liquid in the
cooling system. It has become more pronounced since the introduction
of CFC free gases. This is not a fault and will not affect the performance
of your Freezer.

HUMMING, PURRING OR PULSATING

This is the compressor motor working, as it pumps the refrigerant around
the system.

Shopping for frozen foods

Your Freezer is 4 star

When you are buying frozen food, look at the Storage Guidelines on the
packaging. You will be able to store each item of frozen food for the
period shown against the 4 star rating. This is usually the period stated
as ‘Best Before’, on the front of the packaging.

Check the freezer temperature

Check the temperature of the frozen food cabinet in the shop where you
buy your frozen foods. It should show a temperature lower than -18°C.

Choose packs carefully

Take a quick look at the frozen food package and make sure it is in
perfect condition.

Purchase frozen food last

Always buy frozen products last on your shopping trip or visit to the
supermarket.

Keep frozen foods together

When you are going around the supermarket and when you are travelling
home, if you keep all the frozen foods together they will help to keep
each other cold.

Store food straight away

Don’t buy frozen food unless you can freeze it straight away. Special
insulated bags can be bought from most supermarkets and hardware
shops. These keep frozen food cold for longer.

Thawing frozen food

For some foods, thawing before cooking is unnecessary. Vegetables and
pasta can be added directly to boiling water or steam cooked. Frozen
sauces and soups can be put into a saucepan and heated gently until
thawed.

To Thaw frozen foods

Cover food loosely.

Thaw at room temperature. Don’t forget that thawing in a warm area
encourages the growth of bacteria.

Always make sure there are no ice crystals in the food before
cooking, particularly with meat. These crystals indicate that the food
is not fully thawed. They result in lower temperatures when cooking.
Lower cooking temperatures may not destroy dangerous bacteria.

Cook food as soon as possible after thawing.

Drain off and throw away any liquid lost during thawing.

Oven thawing frozen foods

Many microwaves and ovens have thaw settings. To avoid bacterial build
up, only use these if you intend to cook the food immediately afterwards.

Safety tips

•

Never re-freeze anything that has thawed out unless you cook it

again, to kill off harmful bacteria.

•

Never re-freeze thawed shellfish.

Useful tips

•