Kenmore 72 Cu Ft Chest Freezer Manual

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Vacation and Moving Tips
Short Vacations: Leave the freezer operating 
during vacations of less than three weeks.
Long Vacations: If the freezer will not be 
used for several months:•  Remove all food and unplug the   
power cord.
•  Clean and dry the interior thoroughly.
•  Leave the freezer door open slightly, 
blocking it open if necessary, to prevent 
odor and mold growth.
Moving: When moving the freezer, follow 
these guidelines to prevent damage: •  Disconnect the power cord plug from the 
wall outlet.
•  Remove foods, then defrost, and clean  
the freezer.
•  Secure all loose items such as base panel, 
baskets, and shelves by taping them 
securely in place to prevent damage.
•  In the moving vehicle, secure freezer in an 
upright position to prevent movement. Also 
protect outside of freezer with a blanket, 
or similar item. If a power failure occurs, frozen foods 
will stay frozen for at least 24 hours if the 
freezer is kept closed. If the power failure 
continues, pack seven or eight pounds of 
dry ice into the freezer every 24 hours. Look 
in the Yellow Pages under Dry Ice, Dairies, 
or Ice Cream manufacturers for local dry 
ice suppliers. Always wear gloves and use 
caution when handling dry ice.
If the freezer has stopped operating, 
see “Freezer Does Not Run” in the 
Troubleshooting Guide. If you cannot solve 
the problem, call an authorized servicer 
mediately. If the freezer remains off for 
several hours, follow the directions above for 
the use of dry ice during a power failure. If 
necessary, take the food to a local locker 
plant until the freezer is ready to operate. 
Look in the Yellow Pages under “Frozen Food 
Locker Plants”.
Care & Cleaning
Power Failure/ 
Freezer Failure 
						

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TROUBLESHOOTINGGUIDEBefore calling for service, review this list. It may save you time and 
expense. This list includes common occurrences that are not the result of 
defective workmanship or materials in this appliance.
CONCERN POTENTIAL CAUSE COMMON SOLUTION
FREEZER DOES NOT RUN
Freezer does not run. • Freezer is plugged into 
a circuit that has a 
ground fault interrupt.
•  Temperature control is 
in the OFF position.
•  Freezer may not be 
plugged in or plug 
may be loose.
•  House fuse blown or 
tripped circuit breaker.
•  Power outage. • 
Use another circuit. If you are unsure about the 
outlet, have it checked by a certified technician.  
•  See Setting the Temperature Control  Section. 
•  Ensure plug is tightly pushed into outlet. 
 
•  Check/replace fuse with a 15 amp time-delay 
fuse. Reset circuit breaker.
•  Check house lights. Call local Electric Company.
Freezer runs too much 
or too long. • 
Room or outside 
weather is hot.
•  Freezer has recently 
been disconnected 
for a period of time.
•  Large amounts of 
warm or hot food have 
been stored recently.
•  Doors are opened too 
frequently or too long.
•  Freezer door may be   
slightly open.
•  Temperature Control 
is set too low.
•  Freezer gasket is 
dirty, worn, cracked, 
or poorly fitted. • 
It’s normal for the freezer to work harder 
under these conditions.
•  It takes 4 hours for the freezer to cool down 
completely. 
•  Warm food will cause freezer to run more 
until the desired temperature is reached. 
•  Warm air entering the freezer causes it to run 
more. Open doors less often.
•  See “LID PROBLEMS” in Before You Call Section.  
•  Turn control knob to a warmer setting. Allow 
several hours for the temperature to stabilize.
•  Clean or change gasket. Leaks in the door 
seal will cause freezer to run longer in order 
to maintain desired temperature.
Interior Freezer tem-
perature is too cold. • 
Temperature Control 
is set too low. • 
Turn the control to a warmer setting. Allow 
several hours for the temperature to stabilize.
Interior Freezer tem-
perature is too warm. • 
Temperature Control 
is set too warm.
•  Lid is kept open too 
long or is opened  
too frequently.
•  Lid may not be 
seating properly.
•  Large amounts of warm 
or hot food may have 
been stored recently.
•  Freezer has recently 
been disconnected 
for a period of time. • 
Turn control to a colder setting. Allow several 
hours for the temperature to stabilize.
•  Warm air enters the freezer every time the 
door is opened. Open the door less often.  
•  See “LID PROBLEMS” in  Before You Call 
Section.
•  Wait until the freezer has had a chance to 
reach its selected temperature. 
•  Freezer requires 4 hours to cool down 
completely.
Freezer external surface 
temperature is warm. • 
The external freezer 
walls can be as much 
as 30°F warmer than   
room temperature. • 
This is normal while the compressor works to 
transfer heat from inside the freezer cabinet.
SOUND AND NOISE
Louder sound levels 
whenever freezer is on. • 
Modern freezers have 
increased storage 
capacity and more 
stable temperatures. 
They require a high 
efficiency compressor. • 
This is normal. When the surrounding noise 
level is low, you might hear the compressor 
running while it cools the interior.
Before You Call 
						

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Before You Call
CONCERN POTENTIAL CAUSE COMMON SOLUTION
Longer sound levels 
when compressor 
comes on. • 
Freezer operates 
at higher pressures 
during the start of the 
ON cycle. • 
This is normal. Sound will level off or 
disappear as freezer continues to run.
Popping or cracking 
sound when compres-
sor comes on. • 
Metal parts undergo 
expansion and 
contraction, as in hot 
water pipes. • 
This is normal. Sound will level off or 
disappear as freezer continues to run.
Bubbling or   
gurgling sound, like 
water boiling. • 
Refrigerant (used 
to cool freezer) is 
circulating throughout 
the system. • 
This is normal.
Vibrating or   
rattling noise. • 
Freezer is not level. It 
rocks on the floor when 
it is moved slightly.
•  Floor is uneven or 
weak. Freezer rocks 
on floor when it is 
moved slightly.
•  Freezer is touching 
the wall. • 
Level the unit. Refer to “Leveling” in the  First 
Steps Section. 
•  Ensure floor can adequately support freezer. 
Level the freezer by putting wood or metal 
shims under part of the freezer. 
•  Re-level the freezer or move freezer slightly. 
Refer to “Leveling” in the  First Steps Section.
WATER/MOISTURE/FROST INSIDE FREEZER
Moisture forms on 
inside freezer walls. • 
Weather is hot 
and humid, which 
increases internal rate 
of frost build-up.
•  Door may not be   
seating properly.
•  Door is kept open too 
long, or is opened  
too frequently. • 
This is normal. 
 
 
•  See “LID PROBLEMS” in Before You Call Section.  
•  Open the door less often.
WATER/MOISTURE/FROST OUTSIDE FREEZER
Moisture forms on 
outside of freezer. • 
Door may not be 
seating properly, 
causing the cold air 
from inside the freezer 
to meet warm moist 
air from outside. • 
See “LID PROBLEMS” in  Before You Call 
Section.
ODOR IN FREEZER
Odors in freezer • Interior needs to   
be cleaned.
•  Foods with strong odors 
are in the freezer. • 
Clean interior with sponge, warm water, and 
baking soda.
•  Cover the food tightly.
LID PROBLEMS
Lid will not close. • Freezer is not level. 
It rocks on the floor 
when it is moved 
slightly.
•  Floor is uneven or 
weak. Freezer rocks 
on floor when it is 
moved slightly. • 
This condition can force the cabinet out 
of square and misalign the door. Refer to 
“Leveling” in the  First Steps Section.
•  Level the floor by using wood or metal shims 
under the freezer or brace floor supporting 
the freezer.