How To Move A Fridge Freezer

There are several reasons why you may need to move a fridge freezer. Perhaps you have changed the layout of your kitchen and need to relocate your appliance to suit the room’s new design.

Of course, there is also the possibility that you are moving house and are hoping to take your trusty fridge freezer with you to your new home.

Whatever the reason for the move, Hotpoint’s here to guide you through transporting your fridge freezer safely and with care…

Before you attempt to move your fridge freezer, there are a few important steps to follow to make sure it’s done safely and smoothly.

Start by asking someone to help – fridge freezers are heavy appliances and should never be moved alone. If you’re transporting it a longer distance (beyond just repositioning it in the kitchen), you’ll need a sturdy trolley and some heavy-duty straps or rope to help keep it secure in transit.

Ensure you’ve measured the height, width and depth of your fridge freezer as well, to check it’ll fit through the doorways and hallways that will form the path from your appliance’s current spot and where it is being moved to.

Next, you will want to empty out your fridge freezer before moving it. All food items should be removed, and you could keep them in a cooler box. Removable shelves and bins should also be taken out of the appliance, to avoid them becoming damaged during transit.

As your fridge freezer will be completely empty at this point, this is a great opportunity to thoroughly clean the appliance. If your fridge freezer isn’t frost-free, you’ll also need to defrost it too. This will avoid ice melting and leaking when the fridge freezer is being moved.

1.     Switch off your fridge freezer, unplug it from the mains, roll up the power cord and secure it to the appliance using electrical tape.

2.     Make sure the fridge freezer’s door cannot open when transported by using either stretch tape (handy for securing doors or loose internal parts) or some tight rope.

3.     Wrap the fridge freezer in a blanket or bubble wrap, so that shocks can be absorbed to reduce the risk of the appliance becoming damaged in transit.

4.     Where a trolley or vehicle is being used to move your fridge freezer, use heavy-duty rope to secure the appliance to the mode of transport.

5.     Try to transport your fridge freezer by having it standing up, though it can also be moved by laying it on its side (just never on its front or back, as this can cause damage).

6.     Install your fridge freezer in a space that is away from direct sunlight, kept well away from heating appliances in a kitchen, and with a gap on each side for ventilation.

You mustn’t switch your fridge freezer on straight after it has been moved. The appliance needs time to settle following transportation, so that its internal parts can be protected and the unit continues to operate to its maximum efficiency.

This settling period also allows the compressor oil to return to where it’s meant to be in the appliance. This substance, which cools a fridge freezer’s parts when they get hot, may have leaked into the appliance’s system while the unit was in transit.

A fridge freezer should be left unplugged in an upright position for at least two hours to allow it to settle after the appliance has been moved. Increase this to at least eight hours (or overnight) if you have needed to lie the unit on its side during transportation.

Following this settling period, you can plug your fridge freezer in and switch it on. However, you should wait for up to 12 hours or overnight for the appliance to cool down to a temperature that makes it safe to store food again. Keep an eye on the unit’s thermostat to see when the appropriate temperature has been reached.