Thawing
Food can be thawed in a number of ways, depending on the type of food and the size of the packs. Meat, fish and fruit should be thawed in the refrigeration compartment and small pieces of meat can even be cooked while still frozen, but you must ensure that it is thoroughly cooked through. Vegetables should be directly immersed in boiling water; ready-cooked dishes can be placed directly in the oven in their aluminium wrapping. A microwave oven is particularly suitable for thawing any type of frozen or deep-frozen food: follow the oven instructions, particularly regarding the placement of aluminium wrapping in the oven.
This compartment is suitable for freezing fresh food, for the storage of commercially frozen food and for ice cube making.
Freezing fresh food
To freeze fresh foods it is not necessary to change the setting of the thermostat knob. However, for a quicker freezing operation, turn the thermostat knob to the coldest setting; but remember that, in this condition, the refrigerator compartment temperature might drop below 0¡C. If this occurs reset thermostat knob to a warmer setting. Only freeze top quality, fresh and thoroughly cleaned foodstuffs. Do not allow fresh food to touch food which is already frozen. During the freezing process, ensure that the freezer compartment door remains closed.
Making ice cubes
The appliance is provided with a plastic ice cube tray. Fill the tray 3/4 full to allow the ice to expand and place it in the -star compartment. To turn out the ice cubes simply give the tray a slight twist to release the cubes. Never tray to free an ice tray that is frozen to the -star compartment using a sharp or pointed object. Important Do not consume ice-lollies which have just come out of the -star compartment. Their extremely low temperature can cause frost burns. Do not remove items from the -star compartment if your hands are damp/wet, as this could cause skin abrasions or "frost/freezer burns".
Frozen food storage
Storing ready-frozen foods is quite straightforward. The packs can be placed beside each other or on top of each other. You are strongly advised to place ready-frozen food in the compartment as quickly as possible after purchase and we therefore recommend that you buy them last. Also ensure that the external packaging is intact. Packaging which is swollen or has traces of refrozen water droplets on the pack could indicate that the product has not been kept at a suitable temperature and that it may have lost its original quality. Partially thawed food must not be refrozen, it must be consumed within 24 hours. Never exceed the storage times indicated. Do not open the -star compartment door too often and do not leave open longer than necessary. Important In the event of a power cut do not open the door. The food in the -star compartment will not be affected if the power cut is short and if the compartment is full. Should the food begin to thaw, it must be consumed quickly and must not be re-frozen.
Normal operating sounds
You may hear faint gurgling or bubbling sounds when the refrigerant is pumped through the coils or tubing at the rear, to the cooling plate. When the compressor is on, the refrigerant is being pumped round, and you will hear a whirring sound or pulsating noise from the compressor. A thermostat controls the compressor, and you will hear a faint �click� when the thermostat cuts in and out.
