Preparing a Sub-Zero for Vacation or an Extended Absence

Preparing a Sub-Zero for a weekend away is different from closing a home for the season. The right plan depends on the length of the absence, whether the house will remain heated, the appliance model and whether a connected vacation mode is available. Make those decisions before the last morning of your trip.

Do not assume that raising the temperature manually creates a suitable vacation setting. Start with the instructions for your model and choose one documented plan for the appliance.

For an absence of one week or less, Sub-Zero's general vacation guidance recommends removing perishables, turning off the ice maker, emptying its bin and leaving the normal electronic settings unchanged. For a longer absence, the general guidance recommends emptying the appliance, switching it off and keeping the doors open for ventilation and drying. A fitted water filter should be replaced before restarting on return.

Decide where the food will go while there is still time to use it or arrange appropriate storage. Include every compartment in the plan. A freezer drawer behind a separate panel is easy to overlook when attention is focused on the main refrigerator.

Some connected Sub-Zero products offer app-controlled modes. The manufacturer's Short Vacation Mode instructions describe an option for compatible connected appliances that does not require removing food. Its Long Vacation Mode instructions describe reduced food preservation and require removing perishables. These modes are selected through the app on supported products, not recreated by copying numbers onto an unrelated control panel.

Check that your appliance is the one selected in the app and confirm the chosen mode was saved. Leave a written note for anyone checking the property so they do not mistake an intentional mode display for a new failure or change it without understanding the plan.

The general vacation guidance treats stand-alone undercounter ice makers differently: turn off both water and power, and do not leave the machine running with its supply shut off. A refrigerator's internal ice maker also needs the correct model-specific off procedure.

Identify the appliance's water shutoff in advance. If reaching it would require moving a heavy built-in unit or disturbing a connection, arrange help before departure. Label what was turned off and who should restore it. Clear instructions are particularly useful when several refrigeration appliances share a kitchen or bar area.

In a North Shore home left unheated through cold weather, ordinary vacation preparation is not the whole job. Sub-Zero's winterization guidance addresses water retained in lines and valves and calls for model-specific procedures. Water-valve service on listed models belongs with qualified service personnel. Do not improvise by adding antifreeze to an ice maker or its supply line.

Tell the service provider whether the house will remain heated and when you expect to return. That information is more useful than simply asking to “put the refrigerator in vacation mode.” Keep any winterization and restart instructions together.

• Record the mode or shutdown procedure used for each appliance.
• Keep the date, filter information and any service paperwork.
• Note which water valves or power controls were changed.
• On return, follow the model's restart instructions and check for leaks.
• Confirm suitable cooling before restocking refrigerated or frozen food.

If the unit shows a warning or fails to resume normal operation, preserve the message and note the restart time. For an assessment before departure or after return, request service or call (224) 347-1756. Provide the model, ZIP code and planned absence dates.