homelabs HME030438N Mini Fridge User Manual

: October 30, 2023
: homelabs

Table of Contents

homelabs HME030438N Mini Fridge
Mini Fridge – 2.4 CUFT
Before First Use
Before First Use Instructions
Important Safety Instructions
ELECTRICITY RELATED WARNINGS
Important Safety Instructions

homelabs HME030438N Mini Fridge

Mini Fridge – 2.4 CUFT

SKU: HME030438N

Thank you for purchasing our appliance. Please be sure to read the entirety of this user manual carefully prior to using this appliance. If you have any questions regarding the use of this product, please call 1-(800)-898-3002.

Before First Use

To prevent any internal damage, it is very important to keep the unit upright throughout its journey. Please leave it standing upright and outside the box for 24 HOURS before plugging it in.

In the event this product malfunctions, or you believe it is defective, please contact Customer Service at homelabs.com/help, 1-(800)-898-3002 or help@homelabs.com and hold onto the defective product (pending further instruction). A defective product should be clearly marked or stored where it cannot be used by mistake. Failure to keep the product in its original quality from the time of receipt may impede hOme Labs’s ability to correct any legitimate problem and may limit the extent to which hOmeLabs TM may provide recourse.

Before First Use Instructions

Remove all packaging materials inside the fridge, including bottom cushions, foam pads, and tape. Tear off the protective film on the fridge door and the fridge body.
Allow the fridge to run for 2 to 3 hours before adding any fresh or frozen foods.
In the summer or during hot weather, allow the fridge to run for at least 4 hours in advance before adding any food.

Important Safety Instructions

Warning: risk of fire / flammable materials

WARNING: may lead to suffocation! To prevent risk of children getting sealed in the fridge or a serious fall injury, do not let children enter or climb on the fridge.

MEANING OF SAFETY WARNING SYMBOLS

Prohibition symbol

 The symbol indicates prohibited matters. Non-compliance with the instructions may result in product damages or endanger the personal safety of users.

Warning symbol

 The symbol indicates matters that must be followed, and those behaviors must be strictly executed in line with the operation requirements. Non-compliance with the instructions may result in product damages or endanger the personal safety of users.

Note symbol

 The symbol indicates matters to pay attention to, and these behaviors shall be specially noted. Due precautions are needed or minor or moderate personal injuries or damages to the product will be caused.

WARNINGS FOR FOOD SAFETY

Do not open the door for long periods as this can cause a significant increase of the temperature in the compartments of the fridge.
Regularly clean the surfaces that can come in contact with food and the accessible drainage systems.
Store raw meat and fish in suitable containers in the fridge to avoid contact with other food.
If the refrigerating appliance is left empty for long periods, switch off, defrost, clean, dry, and leave.

Congratulations on bringing home your new appliance! Don’t forget to register your product at homelabs.com/reg for updates, coupons, and other relevant information. Although greatly appreciated, product registration is not required to activate any warranty.

If you have any further questions or concerns about the usage of this product, please contact our customer service team at 1-(800)-898-3002 or help@homelabs.com.

SKU: HME030438N
Thank you for purchasing our appliance. Please be sure to read the entirety of this user manual carefully prior to using this appliance. If you have any questions regarding the use of this product, please call 1-(800)-898-3002.

Before First Use
To prevent any internal damage, it is very important to keep the unit upright throughout its journey. Please leave it standing upright and outside the box for 24 HOURS before plugging it in.
In the event this product malfunctions, or you believe it is defective, please contact Customer Service at homelabs.com/help, 1-(800)-898-3002 or help@homelabs.com and hold onto the defective product (pending further instruction). A defective product should be clearly marked or stored where it cannot be used by mistake. Failure to keep the product in its original quality from the time of receipt may impede hOme Labs’s ability to correct any legitimate problem and may limit the extent to which hOmeLabs™ may provide recourse.

Remove all packaging materials inside the fridge, including bottom cushions, foam pads, and tape. Tear off the protective film on the fridge door and the fridge body.
Allow the fridge to run for 2 to 3 hours before adding any fresh or frozen foods.
In the summer or during hot weather, allow the fridge to run for at least 4 hours in advance before adding any food.

Congratulations
on bringing home your new appliance! Don’t forget to register your product at homelabs.com/reg for updates, coupons, and other relevant information. Although greatly appreciated, product registration is not required to activate any warranty.

Important Safety Instructions

Risk of ﬁre, electrical shock, and injury to persons or property. Read all instructions before using this appliance.

Do not use appliance for anything other than its intended use.
Do not operate this or any other appliance with a damaged cord.
This appliance is intended to be used in household and similar non-retail applications.
This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard.
Do not store explosive substances such as aerosol cans with a flammable propellant in or near this appliance.
The appliance has to be unplugged after use and before carrying out user maintenance on the appliance.
Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
The refrigerant and cyclopentane foaming material used in the appliance are flammable. Therefore, when the appliance is scrapped, it shall be kept away from any fire source and be recovered by a special recovering company with corresponding qualification other than be disposed by combustion, so as to prevent damage to the environment or any other harm.

Warning: risk of fire / flammable materials

WARNING

Keep ventilation openings in the appliance enclosure or in the built-in structure, clear of obstruction.
Do not use mechanical devices or other means to accelerate the defrosting process, other than those recommended by the manufacturer.
Do not damage the refrigerant circuit.
Do not put electrical appliances inside the food storage compartments of the appliance.
Dispose the fridge according to local regulators for it use flammable blowing gas and refrigerant.
When positioning the appliance, ensure the supply cord is not trapped or damaged.
Do not locate multiple portable socket-outlets or portable power supplies at the rear of the appliance.
Do not use extension cords or ungrounded (two prong) adapters.
To avoid a hazard due to instability of the appliance, it must be fixed in accordance with the instructions.
Children should be supervised not playing in the vicinity of the fridge to avoid being entrapped in the fridge accidentally.
Do not arbitrarily disassemble or reconstruct the fridge, nor damage the refrigerant circuit; maintenance of the appliance must be conducted by a specialist.
Damaged power cord must be replaced by the manufacturer, its maintenance department or related professionals in order to avoid danger.
The gaps between fridge door and fridge body are small, do not to put your hand in these areas to prevent from squeezing any fingers. Be gentle when closing or opening the door to avoid falling articles.
To avoid frostbite, do not pick foods or containers with wet hands in the freezing chamber when the fridge is running, especially the metal containers.
Do not give package and other components to children to play. The bending board and plastic film may lead to suffocation! To prevent risk of children getting sealed in the fridge or a serious fall injury, do not let children enter or climb on the fridge.
Do not let children play with packaging or other product components. To prevent risk of children getting sealed in the fridge or a serious fall injury, do not let children enter or climb on the fridge.
Do not use fridge body, fridge door, etc. as stool, ladder or support. Do not climb on fridge.
Do not place heavy objects on top of the fridge. These objects may fall when opening or closing the door and cause accidents.
Unplug in case of power failure or when cleaning. Wait for at least five minutes before powering on to avoid damages to the compressor due to successive starts.
The fridge must be disconnected from the source of electrical supply before attempting to install the accessories.

DANGER

Risk of child entrapment. Before you throw away this product:
- Take off the doors.
- Leave the shelves in place so that children may not easily climb inside.
For doors or lids fitted with locks and keys, keep keys out of the reach of children and not in the vicinity of the fridge, in order to prevent children from being locked inside.

MEANING OF SAFETY WARNING SYMBOLS

Prohibition symbol
The symbol indicates prohibited matters. Non-compliance with the instructions may result in product damages or endanger the personal safety of users.

Warning symbol
The symbol indicates matters that must be followed, and those behaviors must be strictly executed in line with the operation requirements. Non- compliance with the instructions m a y result in product damages or endanger the personal safety of users.

Note symbol
The symbol indicates matters to pay attention to, and these behaviors shall be specially noted. Due precautions are needed or minor or moderate personal injuries or damages to the product will be caused.

ELECTRICITY RELATED WARNINGS

Do not pull the power cord when pulling the power plug of the fridge. Firmly grasp the plug and pull out it from the socket directly.
Do not damage the power cord under any condition to ensure safety. Do not use when the power cord is damaged or the plug is worn.
Worn or damaged power cord shall be replaced in by qualified maintenance stations.
The power cord should be firmly contacted with the socket or else fires might be caused. Please ensure that the grounding electrode of the power socket is equipped with a reliable grounding line.
Please turn off the valve of the leaking gas and then open the doors and windows in case of leakage of gas and other flammable gases. Do not unplug the fridge and other electrical appliances considering that sparks may cause a fire.
To ensure safety, it is not recommended to place socket, regulators, rice cookers, microwave ovens and other appliances on top of the fridge.

WARNINGS RELATED TO PLACING ITEMS

Do not put flammable, explosive, volatile and highly corrosive items in or near the fridge to prevent damages to the product or fire accidents.
This product is a household fridge and this equipment can only be used for storage of food. According to the standard requirements, a household fridge shall not be used for other purposes, such as storage of blood, drugs, or biological products.
Do not place items such as bottled or sealed container of fluid such as bottled beers and beverages in the fridge to prevent bursts or other losses.

WARNINGS FOR ENERGY

The fridge might not operate consistently when used for an extended period of time below the cold end of the range of temperatures for which the fridge is designed.

WARNINGS FOR FOOD SAFETY

Effervescent drinks should not be stored in food fridge compartments or cabinets or in low-temperature compartments or cabinets, and that some products such as ice water should not be consumed too cold.
Do not exceed the storage time recommended by the food manufacturers for any kind of food.
Prevent undue rise in the temperature of the frozen food while defrosting the fridge.
A rise in temperature of the frozen food during manual defrosting, maintenance or cleaning could shorten the storage life.
Follow these instructions to avoid the contamination of food:
- Do not open the door for long periods as this can cause a significant increase of the temperature in the compartments of the fridge.
- Regularly clean the surfaces that can come in contact with food and the accessible drainage systems.
- Store raw meat and fish in suitable containers in the fridge to avoid contact with other food.
- If the refrigerating appliance is left empty for long periods, switch off, defrost, clean, dry, and leave the door open to prevent mould developing within the appliance.

WARNINGS RELATED TO DISPOSAL

Refrigerant and cyclopentane foaming material used for the fridge are flammable. Therefore, when the fridge is scrapped, it shall be kept away from any fire source and be recovered by a special recovering company with corresponding qualification other than be disposed by combustion, so as to prevent damage to the environment or any other harm.
When the fridge is scrapped, disassemble the doors, and remove gasket of door and shelves; put the doors and shelves in a proper place, so as to prevent trapping of any child.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
For Household Use Only

Operation

IMPORTANT:
Read and follow all directions in the Before First Use section found next to the Table of Contents before using this refrigerator.

PARTS OVERVIEW

homelabs-HME030438N-Mini-Fridge-05

The above picture is only for reference. The actual configuration will depend on the physical product.

ADJUSTING THE TEMPERATURE

3× Adjustable Temperature Modes
Use the Thermostat knob to select a temperature mode. It is recommended to set the thermostat knob to MED for initial use.

To lower the internal temperature of the fridge, turn the temperature control knob to MAX (recommended on hot summer days).
To raise the internal temperature of the fridge, turn the temperature control knob to MIN.
When the thermostat control is set to OFF, the fridge will not run.

Using the Freezer

The freezer width is designed to hold most frozen small or personal pizzas.
We do not recommend the storage of ice cream.
Label your frozen foods with the date and contents then clear out the freezer and fridge periodically.

Temperature Range:

Fridge: 34–50°F
Freezer: 28–37°F
- Minimum: 46–50°F (8–10°C)
- Medium: 39–45°F (4–7°C)
- Maximum: 34–39°F (1–4°C)

NOTE :
Storage of too much food after the initial connection to power may affect the freezing effect of the fridge.

PLACEMENT

Before using the fridge, remove all packaging materials inside the fridge, including bottom cushions, foam pads and tapes. Tear off the protective film on the fridge door and the fridge body.
Keep the fridge away from heat and direct sunshine.
To prevent the fridge from rusting or insulating reduction, do not place the fridge in moist or watery places.
Place the fridge on a flat and sturdy surface in a well-ventilated indoor place.
To facilitate heat dissipation, leave space around the fridge. We recommend allowing more than 12 inches above the fridge, and more than 4 inches around the sides and the rear of the unit.
Determine whether you want the Reversible Door to open from the left or the right. Where you place the refrigerator or whether you are left- or right-handed can influence this decision (SEE > Reverse the Door Swing Page 11). Also note the Door can swing up to 180°.
Adjust the shelving to suit your needs. There are 2 × slide-out shelves made with tempered glass that can be repositioned. The 2 × door shelves are in a fixed position and fill the full width of the door.

REFRIGERATION BEST PRACTICES
You can store a variety of fruits, vegetables, beverages, and other food consumed in the short term inside the hOmeLabs 2.4 ft3 Mini Fridge.

An organized fridge is especially important when it is compact.
Place frequently used items in the door or at the front of a shelf to reduce the amount of time spent with the door open.
- Use small bins and grouping like items.
- Place all your snacks front and center.
- Label food in any storage containers or use color-coding for quick identification.
- Cool food to room temperature before putting it into the fridge.
- We recommend sealing food before putting it into the fridge.
Adjust the 2 × glass shelves up or down to create the storage space you need.

Please refer to the Warnings for Food Safety, and other warnings and instructions in this manual. Also follow any recommendations by the food manufacturers for any kind of food.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS
This 70 W fridge is Energy-Star Rated and will consume approximately 213 kWh/year. There are many things you can do to help decrease your energy consumption, including:

Place your fridge in a room that is dry and ventilated. Do not place your fridge in direct sunlight or next to a heat source (such as a radiator, stove, etc.). Install a suitable insulation board, if necessary.
Dusting behind the fridge and on the ground can improve the cooling effect and save energy.
Shorten the time you spend with the fridge door open.
Organize and label food to reduce extended searches with an open door. Remove as many items as needed at one time. Close the door as soon as possible.
Avoid putting warm foods in the fridge.
Do not overload the fridge, otherwise food will need more time to cool and may become spoiled.
The storage bin of the fridge should not be lined with aluminum foil, wax paper, or paper towels. Liners will interfere with cold air circulation, making the fridge less efficient.
Wrap foods properly and wipe containers dry before loading them into the fridge. This cuts down on frost build-up inside the fridge.

Installation

TEMPERATURE RANGE
This refrigerator offers 3 temperature modes. Many people find the medium setting a good place to start. This allows you to adjust the temperature range to better suit your needs (SEE > Adjusting the Temperature Page 9).

REVERSE THE DOOR SWING

CAUTION:
To avoid personal injury or property loss, use at least two people to reverse the door swing.

NOTE:

Ensure the fridge is unplugged and empty.
Do not hold the door and hinge when moving this unit.
Do not turn upside down or vibrate the fridge, the carrying angle cannot be greater than 45 degrees.
Adjust the two leveling feet to their highest position.
Prepare the assembly tools such as a cross-bladed screwdriver.

To take the door off, tilt the appliance backward at up to a 45° angle. Place the appliance on something solid. Do not lay the appliance completely flat as this may damage the coolant system.
Remove the plastic covering from the top door hinge.
Unscrew the screws from the bottom bracket. Remove the foot from the opposite side.
Set aside these parts: 2× screws, 1× bottom bracket, 1× foot.
Slide the appliance door down about 5.9″ and off the top hinge pin and lift it away from the appliance and off the top hinge pin. Set the door aside.
Remove the plastic caps from the remaining brackets on the opposite side.
Remove the two screws from top the bracket and replace them on the new/other side, using the items you set aside in Step 4. You will need to first remove the plastic caps from the other side.
Slide the appliance door onto the top hinge. Ensure the door is right side up (finger groove at top). Secure the door by screwing in the bottom bracket on the new side.
Replace the other foot on the other side. Replace the plastic caps. Caps click into position on the door hinge brackets.
Confirm the door is aligned horizontally and vertically and that the seals are closed on all sides. Then tighten the bottom hinge. Adjust the leveling feet.

CLEANING

Clean the fridge interior to avoid odors. Exterior cleaning can improve energy efficiency. Follow the cleaning procedure below:

Unplug the fridge.
Wipe the door seal with warm water using a damp cloth or sponge.
Remove the tempered glass shelves. Wash them with mild soap and warm water. Dry them or allow them to air dry completely.
Use mild soap and warm water to clean the exterior and interior of the fridge.
Reconnect the fridge when the fridge is clean and dry.
Allow the fridge to run for 2 to 3 hours before adding any fresh or frozen foods.
In the summer or during hot weather, allow the fridge to run for at least 4 hours in advance before adding any food.

NOTE:

Unplug from the socket before cleaning or defrosting.
Do not use hard brushes, wire brushes, abrasives, organic solvents, boiling water, acid, or alkaline items for cleaning or defrosting as this may damage the surface and interior of the unit.
For areas that are difficult to clean in the fridge (such as narrow sections, gaps or corners), wipe with a soft rag or soft brush. If necessary, use some auxiliary tools to clean these areas, making sure that no contaminants or bacteria accumulate.
Do not rinse directly with water or other liquids during cleaning to avoid short circuits or affect electrical insulation after immersion.

NOTE: Do not immerse refrigerator.

DEFROSTING

Unplug the fridge.
Remove the food from the fridge and place it properly to prevent food from melting or spoiling.
Clear the chamber with a soft cloth. Prepare the water container for defrosting. Pay attention when cleaning the water drip tray near the compartment. Avoid overflow to the ground.
You can defrost naturally at room temperature, or use a plastic or wooden ice shovel to carefully eliminate the frost.
You can also use the appropriate amount of hot water to speed up the defrosting. Use a dry towel to absorb the water after defrosting.
After defrosting, store the foods back in the freezer compartment.
Power on the fridge.
Allow the fridge to run for 2 to 3 hours before adding any fresh or frozen foods.
In the summer or during hot weather, allow the fridge to run for at least 4 hours in advance before adding any food.

STORAGE REQUIREMENTS

If the unit will remain unused for an extended period, unplug and defrost freezer. Wash interior and completely dry the appliance. Store the refrigerator upright in a dry, well-ventilated location.

Troubleshooting

PROBLEM	CAUSE AND SOLUTION
The fridge doesn’t work.	Check that the fridge is plugged and connected to

power. Check if the thermostat knob is set to one of the 3 modes. Check if there is power failure or a tripped circuit.
Odor| Odorous foods should be closely wrapped. Check if there are rotten foods in the fridge.

Check if the interior of the fridge needs to be cleaned.

Long-term operation of compressor| It is normal for the fridge to operate for a longer time in summer.

Too much food is put in the fridge at one time. Reduce the food quantity. Put the foods into the fridge until cooled completely.

Do not open the fridge door frequently.

Check if there is thick frost layer, if so, defrost the fridge.

The fridge door will not fully close| Ensure there are no obstructions preventing the door closure. Too much food in the fridge. Reduce the food quantity.

Check if the appliance is level.

Loud noises| Check if the floor is flat, if the placement of fridge is stable and if the fridge accessories are properly placed. Adjust leveling feet, if needed.
Transient difficulty in door opening| After refrigeration, there will be a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the fridge, this is normal and can result in temporary difficulty in door opening.
Enclosure heat Condensation| It is normal when the ambient humidity is high. Wipe the fridge enclosure with a dry towel.
Airflow sound /Buzz / Clatter| Airflow sound is normal and will not affect the cooling effect.

Buzz will be generated by running compressor especially when starting up or shutting down the appliance. This is normal.

The solenoid valve or electric switch valve will clatter. This is normal.

Warranty

hOmeLabs offers a limited one-year warranty (“warranty period”) on all of our products purchased new and unused from hOmeLabs, LLC or an authorized reseller, with an original proof of purchase and where a defect has arisen, wholly or substantially, as a result of faulty manufacturing, parts, or workmanship during the one-year warranty period. The warranty does not apply where damage is caused by other factors, including, but without limitation to: (a) normal wear and tear; (b) abuse, mishandling, accident, or failure to follow operating instructions; (c) exposure to liquid or infiltration of foreign particles; (d) servicing or modifications of the product other than by hOmeLabs; (e) commercial or non-household use.
The hOmeLabs warranty covers all costs related to restoring the proven defective product through repair or replacement of any defective part and necessary labor so that it conforms to its original specifications. A replacement product may be provided instead of repairing a defective product. hOmeLabs’s exclusive obligation under this warranty is limited to such repair or replacement.

A receipt indicating the purchase date is required for any claim, so please keep all receipts in a safe place. We recommend that you register your product on our website: homelabs.com/reg. Although greatly appreciated, the product registration is not required to activate any warranty and product registration does not eliminate the need for the original proof of purchase. The warranty becomes void if attempts at repair are made by non-authorized third parties and/or if spare parts, other than those provided by hOmeLabs, are used. You may also arrange for service after the warranty expires at an additional cost. These are our general terms for warranty service, but we always urge our customers to reach out to us with any issue, regardless of warranty terms. If you have an issue with a hOmeLabs product, please contact us at 1-(800)-898-3002, and we will do our best to resolve it for you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other legal rights which vary from state to state, province to province, or country to country. The customer may assert any such rights at their sole discretion.

Manufacturing Information
This manual covers all items with these model numbers: