At first glance, moving an appliance seems like a straightforward process: pushing it, packing it, and then storing it away. Still, anyone who’s gone through it can tell you it’s an entirely different experience. It’s among the largest heavy appliances and the most fragile in the kitchen. A mistake could damage the refrigerator and your back, as well as your floors, walls, and corners.
Professional tips can save you from costly errors when moving into your new house or simply organizing your kitchen. Here are ten expert tips for a quick, effortless, and hassle-free move of your refrigerator.
10 Ways for Moving Your Refrigerator
1. Empty It Completely
Before doing anything else, you must remove everything in the fridge, including food, shelves, drawers, Ice trays, and other removable compartments. This decreases the burden and weight, and prevents internal components from moving and breaking during transport.
Tips for a Successful Move:
The successful transportation of food items to your new residence requires using coolers along with ice packs to preserve perishable foods.
2. Unplug and Defrost at Least 24 Hours Before
Before defrosting your fridge, disconnect it from the power outlet at least 24 hours in advance to allow the frozen water to thaw. The accumulation of ice in the freezer can lead to potential leaks because it can damage the fridge. High humidity inside refrigerators enables mould to form. A towel placed on top of the refrigerator takes up the responsibility of soaking up any falling liquid.
Tips for a Successful Move:
Check that the refrigerator is clean before making the move.
3. Secure All Loose Parts
The shelves and drawers may appear to be in a stable position; however, once your fridge starts to move or tilt, they can slide off and break or scratch the interior. Get them removed or tape the drawers securely with masking tape or painter’s tape.
Cover glass shelves with bubble wrap and label them with a number so they’re easy to put back in place later.
4. Use the Right Equipment
A durable appliance dolly which has straps attached serves as an excellent helper. The device enables the safe movement of your refrigerator through controlled operations, maintaining a strain-free process.
Tips for a Successful Move:
Before you begin the operation, you will need to have moving blankets, a dolly, and strong straps on hand.
5. Keep It Upright at All Times
A common error during fridge relocation is putting the appliance on its side. Damage to the entire cooling system occurs when the compressor oil passes through the cooling lines because of this issue.
Any movements with the refrigerator should occur when it is in a straight position. Let the refrigerator rest for at least three hours before connecting its power source after transportation is complete. The resting period enables the oil to return to its original position.
6. Measure Doorways and Pathways First
The worst feeling occurs after moving when your fridge cannot fit through the entrance and blocks paths leading to dead ends.
Before moving the fridge during residential moving, take all necessary measurements of hallways, doorways, staircases, and the room in the moving truck. After measurement, take off both doors, along with their hinges, to get the correct dimensions.
7. Guard floors and Walls
Heavy commercial refrigerators are difficult to carry by themselves due to their weight distribution, and their sharp edges can harm surfaces and floors during transit. The protection of flooring during transport is best achieved with furniture sliders along with cardboard pieces. To minimize stress when moving your refrigerator, wrap it up in thick clothes or towels.
8. Have a Moving Buddy
It’s challenging to complete independently, no matter how strong or knowledgeable you might be about moving your fridge. Get assistance from a partner or two to help lift, guide, and support your fridge throughout the process.
Tips for a Successful Move:
Clear communication and collaboration will prevent accidents and ensure smoother processes.
9. Take it in With Care When Loading
Prepare your refrigerator for empty transport at the end of your move, because it will be the first item you want to retrieve at your destination. Placing the refrigerator in a straight direction inside the truck, followed by wall attachment, will prevent it from moving while travelling. Keep it straights at all times. Be careful not to stack anything on top of it.
10. Wait Before Plugging It Back In
After you’ve moved the refrigerator to its new location, wait between 4 and 6 hours before reconnecting it, especially if it was tilted during local moving. This allows the compressor oil time to settle before preventing the possibility of permanent harm.
Tips for a Successful Move:
When it’s powered on and connected, wait a couple of hours until it reaches the right temperature for cooling before replenishing it with food.
Bonus Tip: Take Pictures for Easy Assembly
Once you’re ready to cut from the lines for water (if your refrigerator comes with an ice or water maker), take a photo of the setup. This will allow you to easily reinstall your system and ensure that everything is properly connected.
Final Thoughts For Moving Your Refrigerator
Moving a fridge shouldn’t cause any emotional strain. It takes some preparation, as well as proper equipment and assistance, to perform a smooth job that protects the contents from harm. These instructions will enable you to relocate your refrigerator easily. With the steps discussed in the above blog, you will become a master at moving.
It doesn’t matter if the fridge is in the kitchen or the city; easy moving of the refrigerator is about taking the time to plan and doing it the right way.
FAQs
How long do I have to wait before plugging in my refrigerator after the move?
Wait at least six hours if the fridge was kept straight. If the compressor tilts, wait at least 24 hours to allow the compressor oil to settle.
Do I have to lay my fridge on its side while I move it?
This is not advised. Make sure to keep it on its feet so it doesn’t damage the compressor or the internal cooling system.
What’s the most efficient way to carry a fridge?
Utilize a dolly with straps to keep it in a straight position and secure it to the truck for moving. Do not move the dolly by yourself; have at least one additional person assist.
Do I have to defrost my fridge before moving?
Yes. Moving your unit without prior defrosting for 24 hours will cause both leaks and water accumulation during transportation.
Is there any way to handle a refrigerator transport on my own?
This is not recommended. Moving a single-person refrigerator can be dangerous due to its bulk size, which leads to potential risks of both home injury and appliance damage.
