Moving a refrigerator

A refrigerator's compressor holds oil and refrigerant. On its side, the oil can move out of place, and plugging the fridge in too soon can run the compressor without proper lubrication. Your own manual has the steps for your model.

What you need

• A tape measure
• Tape and a moving blanket
• A hand truck or appliance dolly
• A helper
• A box of baking soda, for a long trip

Steps

1. 1

   Measure the way out and the way in

   Measure the doorways and halls in both homes, so you know the refrigerator fits through the front door, down the hall, around corners and through every doorway.

   10 min

2. 2

   Turn it off ahead of time

   Turn the refrigerator to Off a couple of hours before the move, so the evaporator has time to defrost.

   2 min

3. 3

   Unplug, empty and clean it

   Unplug the power cord, take out all the food and clean the inside. If it'll be in transit for more than a day, a box of baking soda or a small bag of activated charcoal inside absorbs odors.

   30 min

4. 4

   Secure the loose parts

   Tape down the grille, shelves, storage pans, ice trays and ice bucket so nothing comes loose and does damage. Cover the outside with a blanket.

   15 min

5. 5

   Load it upright

   Keep the refrigerator standing upright in the truck. French-door, bottom-freezer, compact and built-in models must stay upright, though most can tilt to get through a doorway. If a top-freezer model has to lie down, lay it on the side opposite the hinges. Lay a side-by-side model on its freezer side. With a hand truck, move it from the side, not the front or back, and secure it in the truck so it can't roll.

   20 min

6. 6

   Let it stand before plugging it in

   A refrigerator that rode on its side should stand upright for as long as it was lying down, and for 24 hours if it was down more than a day. Times range from about 2 hours to 12 to 24 hours by model, so follow your manual.

   2 min

7. 7

   Set it in place

   Stand it on a flat, stable floor and level it so the doors seal. Leave at least 2 inches between the back and the wall for the coils. Don't roll over the power cord when you push it back.

   10 min

8. 8

   Check it's cold before the food goes in

   Plug it straight into a grounded wall outlet rather than an extension cord. Most refrigerators take 12 to 24 hours to reach 40°F, so wait until it's there before you load food.

   5 min