Setting Information for the Kenmore Chest Freezer Model 11128

Thermostat

• The thermostat dial inside the freezer regulates the level of cooling -- it does not correspond to a particular temperature. The factory default setting is usually a number roughly halfway between the range of possible settings, for example, 5 if the dial goes to 10. Purchase a freezer thermometer from your local hardware store and hang it on one of the shelves to check the actual temperature of the appliance. After a few hours inside the freezer, the display should read 0 Fahrenheit or -18 Celsius, although a few degrees higher or lower is nothing to worry about. Turn the thermostat dial to a higher setting if the temperature is too high. Wait 24 hours for the appliance to cool down further. You might have to make several changes before you find the right setting for 0 Fahrenheit.

Freezer Location

• Locating the freezer near any source of heat places the internal parts under increased strain and may cause the temperature to be artificially high. Move the freezer away from radiators, baseboard heaters, boilers, furnaces, ovens, clothes dryers – anything that feels warm on the outside or vents hot air. Keep the freezer out of direct sunlight in summer.

Surrounding Temperature

• The temperature of the room containing the freezer plays an important role in maintaining a safe food storage environment. Keeping your freezer in an unheated part of your home during a severe winter may cause the freezer to stop working. The appliances relies on the air coming into the vents from the room to be warmer than the air inside the cabinet. If the temperature of the room dips below 0 Fahrenheit or -18 Celsius, you should consider buying a portable heater to warm the room slightly.

Usage

• Attempting to freeze food that's still warm causes the freezer temperature to spike and thaws frozen food surrounding the container. Always allow food to reach room temperature before placing it in the freezer. Packing the freezer full of food restricts the natural flow of air through the appliance's vents and causes the internal parts to work harder. Try to keep some space available in the freezer. The rubber door seal should always make contact with the door frame when the appliance is closed.