GE FCM22DHWW Use and Care Manual - Page 8

Care and cleaning of the freezer. Preparing for Vacation To maintain freezer in operation during vacations, be sure your house power is not turned off. For sure protection of freezer contents, you may want to ask a neighbor to check the power supply and freezer operation every 24 hours. For extended vacations or absences, you may prefer to move your frozen foods to a storage locker temporarily. If your freezer is to be left empty, disconnect power cord plug from wall outlet. To prevent formation of odors, place open box of baking soda in freezer and leave freezer lid open. When the freezer is not operating, it can be left in an unheated house or room without damage to cabinet or mechanism. „ The freezer should be located in the coolest area of the room, away from heatproducing appliances or heating ducts, and out of direct sunlight. „ Let hot foods cool to room temperature before placing in the freezer. Overloading the freezer forces the compressor to run longer. Foods that freeze too slowly may lose quality or spoil. „ Be sure to wrap foods properly, and wipe containers dry before placing them in the freezer. This cuts down on frost buildup inside the freezer. „ Freezer baskets should not be lined with aluminum foil, wax paper or paper towels. Liners interfere with cold air circulation, making the freezer less efficient. „ Organize and label food to reduce lid openings and extended searches. Remove as many items as needed at one time, and close the lid as soon as possible. 8