Refrigerator handles

04-10-2018
Kitchen

Refrigerator handles

Refrigerator handles
  • Varieties
  • What break more often?
  • How to choose?
  • Replacing the handle
  • Handle master class

Refrigerators stand out among other household appliances. They are used every day and more than once. An important element of the refrigerator is the handle. It should be remembered when choosing a unit, you need to take care of it and, sometimes it has to be replaced. The modern market offers a wide variety of elements for opening the door of the refrigerator, everyone can choose the most acceptable and comfortable option.

Refrigerator handles

Varieties

Handles for a refrigerator have come a long way of changes and modifications. The first were mechanisms that resemble automotive with built-in lock. They were installed on the facade of the product in a vertical or horizontal position. Later, such mechanisms had to be removed due to many accidents with American children. The refrigerator was impossible to open from the inside and it was declared unsafe.

Refrigerator handles

They were replaced by the usual door knob. They were arranged so that a man of average height could open the refrigerator. The main criterion for manufacturing has become ergonomic. Non-removable elements allowed to open the refrigerator from left to right and nothing else. Demands of customers grew and companies were forced to once again reconsider the technology of opening and closing the refrigerator.

Simple parts have become longer and more comfortable for people of any height. Their appearance has improved, the handle has become an important functional and decorative element of the refrigerator. The detail could now be located not only in the usual ways, but diagonally.

Refrigerator handles
Refrigerator handles

Many manufacturers began to experiment with hidden handles. They are a recess in the wall of the door. Made them so that there without problems passed the fingers of an adult. A little later, manufacturers of refrigerators have thought of handles for refrigerators that open from right to left. In many models, flip doors appeared, the buyer could install them so that the equipment opened in the right direction.

Refrigerator handles

All modern opening mechanisms have pushers in their structure. They provide easy door opening with minimal effort on your part. Most models have long removable handles. Provided quality mounting they are convenient and reliable. Refrigerators with built-in (recessed) handles received a new life, they significantly save space.

You can find a refrigerator with a handle on the suction cups. It is universal and is used as furniture. Most new models have a touch way to open. It is enough to bring a hand to the handle, the refrigerator will open itself. This option is very convenient when your hands are busy.

What break more often?

For many years of development of manufacturing technology and installation of handles, certain tendencies and inclinations are noticed. More often it breaks the plastic overhead construction. Metal structures are generally more reliable. Recessed mechanisms are not prone to breakage. The old-style handles are also very reliable, they are often found on the refrigerator of the Soviet times.

Refrigerator handles

The reason for the malfunction may be a small area of ​​the handle to the door equipment. In this case, the mounts themselves may fail. An important factor is the material of the element. Metal will last you much longer than plastic.

Refrigerator handles
Refrigerator handles

How to choose?

The handle is an important element of the refrigerator, it has both a functional and decorative purpose. Refrigerators with grooves quickly lose their appearance because dirt gets clogged in the handle. To wash such an element is quite difficult, so many do not consider such an option.

The outer handle should be checked for strength even in the store. Open and close the door several times. Try to intuitively feel the correct distribution of pressure over the entire length of the element. Ensure that the impact area is quite wide.

Refrigerator handles
Refrigerator handles

Test and fasten the handle itself. It must be durable, do not let the element hang out at hand. It is important to evaluate your own efforts, which should be made to open the equipment. Do not forget about the location of the handle. Here the choice depends on the layout of the kitchen, where the refrigerator will be located. Consider the side of opening, the relevance of a large element and its location relative to the body.

Refrigerator handles

Replacing the handle

If the plastic handle is broken, you should consider replacing it. This process is quite simple and does not cause difficulties even for beginners. Do not forget about precautions - be sure to disconnect the device from the mains. After that, wait a couple of minutes and get to work:

  1. The handle is held on screws, and they are hidden under the bar. This bar plays the role of a stub. Push it and pull it up.
  2. Do this with the second bar.
  3. Unscrew all screws and remove the handle with gentle, smooth movements. Do not make sudden jerks, so you can damage the door. Effort may be needed only when removing the plastic lining, but do not put pressure on the squeezing mechanism.
  4. After removing the item is to clean the surface of the door. You can use any familiar means of washing. Be sure to wipe the door dry with a paper towel.
  5. Now install the new pen. To do this, align the holes in it with those on the fridge. Tighten the screws and lower the strips.

Such a replacement handle is made independently. Just buy a new item for your brand of refrigerator and that's it. If there are no screws in the kit with the new part, then fixings with the old one can be used.

The following video will help you to repair the refrigerator handle yourself.

Handle master class

It happens that the handle breaks too unexpectedly. There may not be enough time or money to buy a new one. It is worth thinking about the manufacture of products from scrap materials. A master class on the construction of the handle of 2 forks will come to the rescue. Procedure:

  1. Pick up two absolutely identical plugs.
  2. Bend each of them so that one holds the door and the second acts as a handle. The view must exactly match your door shape, so it all depends on you.
  3. On the first fork bend the inner teeth, and twist the handle so that it secures the second fork.
  4. Drill a hole in the bottom of the second plug. With it, the product will be attached to the door from the front.
  5. Now just install the homemade item in a convenient place on the refrigerator door.
Refrigerator handles
Refrigerator handles
Refrigerator handles

Using a fork as a handle ensures the ergonomics of the product. On the top of the homemade product you can see the teeth of a fork, you can either remove them or use them as hangers for tacks, small towels, notes.