Whirlpool RT12FC - Manual (Page 5)

Cleaning Your Refrigerator
The refrigerator section defrosts
automatically. The freezer section needs
defrosting from time to time. The freezer
section should be defrosted whenever
frost builds up to a 1/4-inch (6 mm)
thickness.
Defrosting the freezer
awarning
Electrical Shock and Product
Damage Hazard
■ Do Not place electrical devices in
freezer to aid defrosting. Electri­
cal shock and injury could occur.
■ Do Not use an ice pick, knife or
other sharp-pointed tool to
defrost freezer. Damage could
occur.
1. Turn the Temperature Control to
OFF and unplug power cord.
2. Put empty pan in the refrigerator on
the top shelf in the center.
3. Move frozen food and ice to the
refrigerator section.
4. Close the refrigerator door. Leave
the freezer door open.
5. Put a pan of hot water in the
freezer. This helps melt the frost.
Don’t place the pan over drain hole
in center of the freezer.
6. Defrost water will drain through
drain hole into the pan you put in
the refrigerator section. You may
have to melt frost from the drain
hole by pouring a little hot water
around it.
7. Wash the inside of the freezer with
a solution of 2 tablespoons (26 g) of
baking soda and one quart (.95 L)
warm water. Rinse and dry
thoroughly.
8. Remove the pan of defrost water
from the refrigerator; put frozen
food and ice back into freezer.
9. Reconnect power cord and reset
the Temperature Control.
Put a pan
of hot water
in freezer to Defrost
to catch defrost water.
There is a cold plate on the back wall at
the top of the refrigerator section. When
the refrigerator motor runs, frost collects
on the cold plate. When the motor turns
off, the frost melts.
Water from this melted frost drips into a
drain trough just below the cold plate.
Then it runs down the back wall and
through the drain just above the crisper.
The drain leads to a defrost water pan
on the top of the refrigerator motor. Heat
from the motor evaporates the water
If the drain becomes clogged, force
warm water mbced with baking soda
through the drain until the water flows
freely.
Cleaning tips
Both sections should be cleaned about
once a month. To help prevent odors,
wipe up spills immediately.
1. Turn Temperature Control to OFF
and unplug power cord.
2. Take out all removable parts and
clean according to the following
chart:
PART WHAT TO USE HOW TO CLEAN
Removable parts
(shelves, crisper, etc.) Sponge or cloth; mild detergent
and warm water. • Wash with wet sponge or cloth.
■ Rinse and dry.
Outside Sponge, soft cloth or paper towel;
mild detergent and warm water;
appliance wax (or good auto
paste wax). ■ Wash with wet sponge, cloth or paper
towel.
• Rinse and dry.
■ Twice a year — apply appliance wax or
good auto paste wax to painted metal
surfaces with a clean, soft cloth.
Waxing painted, metal surfaces
provides rust protection.
■ Do Not use wax on plastic parts.
Inside walls
(Allow the freezer walls to warm up
so cloth won't stick) Sponge, soft cloth or paper towel;
mild detergent and warm water
OR 2 tablespoons (26 g) baking
soda to 1 quart (0.95 L) warm
water.
• Wash with wet sponge, cloth or paper
towel.
• Rinse and dry.
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