To move a fridge freezer, empty and defrost it, secure the doors and shelves, keep it upright and let it stand before switching on at the new home. This guide covers preparing, carrying and transporting a fridge freezer, and when a professional removal team is the safer choice.
A fridge freezer is one of the biggest things you will move in a house, and one of the easiest to get wrong. It is heavy, it is full of things that spoil and it has a compressor that does not like being knocked about. Moved badly, it can leave you with a broken door, a damaged floor or an appliance that will not cool.
We move households across Southampton and Hampshire, and fridge freezers come up on almost every job. This guide explains how to move a fridge freezer, from emptying and defrosting to carrying, transporting and switching it on at the other end. It is general advice, and your manufacturer's manual is the final word on your model, so check it before you start.
How do you move a fridge freezer safely?
Empty it and defrost it, secure the doors, shelves and drawers, keep it upright when you carry and transport it and let it settle before you switch it on at the new home. How long to wait, and how the manufacturer says to transport it, depends on your model, so follow the manual.
If you have lost the manual, most manufacturers publish a copy online. Search for the model number, which is usually on a label inside the fridge or on the back.
Emptying and defrosting
Plan this a few days ahead, because a full freezer does not empty itself. Start using up the food in the freezer, and plan meals around what you have. For the food you cannot use, think about cool bags and ice packs for moving day, and check with the manual or the food safety guidance from a named source such as the Food Standards Agency.
- Unplug the fridge freezer. Do this in good time, so it has time to defrost.
- Take out all food, shelves, drawers and trays, and wash them.
- Place towels and a shallow tray at the base to catch meltwater.
- Leave the doors open while it defrosts. Do not use sharp tools to remove ice, because you can damage the interior.
- Dry the inside thoroughly, so it does not smell or grow mould in transit.
We have not given a fixed defrost time, because it depends on the size of the appliance and how much ice has built up. Follow your manual, and leave more time than you think you need. Many people do this the night before the move, and a full freezer takes longer than a small fridge.
Securing doors, shelves and drawers
Once it is empty, dry and clean, secure everything that could move. Loose parts are what break in transit.
- Remove shelves, drawers and trays and pack them separately, wrapped in paper or bubble wrap.
- If you cannot remove them, tape them in place with masking tape, which is less likely to leave residue.
- Tape the doors shut, or use a strap, so they do not swing open.
- Wrap the power cable and tape it to the back of the appliance.
- Cover the surface with a blanket or a moving pad to protect it from scratches and dents.
Carrying and transporting
Keep the appliance upright throughout. Manufacturers generally advise moving a fridge freezer upright, and laying it on its side can cause oil from the compressor to move into parts of the cooling system where it should not be. The manual will tell you what your manufacturer says, so check it. If it has to be laid down, follow the manual on how long to wait afterwards.
- Use two people, or a sack truck with a strap, and a clear route.
- Measure doorways, corridors and stairs before you lift. Doors sometimes need to come off their hinges to fit through a gap, and the manual will tell you whether that is safe for your model.
- Take stairs slowly, with one person above and one below, and never try to carry a large fridge freezer alone.
- Strap it upright in the vehicle so it cannot tip or slide.
In the older terraced homes and flats in Southampton, with tight stairwells and narrow hallways, a large fridge freezer can be a real challenge. If you are not sure it will fit, measure early.
Switching on at the new home
At the new home, stand the fridge freezer upright in its final position, and leave it as long as the manufacturer advises before you switch it on. The manual will give you the waiting time for your model, and we have not stated one here because it varies. Check the manual, and if in doubt, wait longer.
When the time is up, plug it in, and let it reach temperature before you fill it with food. Check the manual for how long that takes. It is worth using a thermometer if you want to be certain the food is safe.
When to leave it to professionals
Some fridge freezers are simply better left to a removal team. If you have a large American-style model, live on a higher floor, have narrow doorways or stairs or are not confident lifting, a team with the right equipment and experience is safer for you and the appliance.
We handle bulky items as part of a house move. Tell us about the fridge freezer when you ask for a quote, including its size and where it is, and we will plan for it. Ask us, too, what our team will and will not disconnect, so you know what to arrange yourself.
Summary
- Empty and defrost before moving.
- Keep it upright and secure loose parts.
- Follow the manual on waiting before switching on.
- Use professionals for heavy models or tight access.
FAQs
Empty and defrost it, secure the doors, shelves and drawers, keep it upright with two people and strap it in the vehicle. At the new home, stand it upright and wait as the manual advises before you switch it on.
Manufacturers generally advise keeping it upright, and laying it on its side can cause problems with the compressor. Check your manual, and if it has to be laid down, follow its advice on waiting afterwards.
It depends on the model, so follow the manufacturer's manual. We have not given a fixed time because it varies. If you cannot find the manual, search for the model number online.
Give it plenty of time, and follow the manual. Many people unplug it the night before, but a large freezer with a lot of ice can take longer. It is better to allow extra time than to move a wet appliance.
Yes, as part of a house move. Tell us about the appliance when you ask for a quote, and ask what our team will and will not disconnect, so you know what to arrange yourself.
One Last Thought
Moving house in Southampton or Hampshire? Call K2 Swift Removals on 023 8111 3116 or 07356 097791 and we will give you a straight, free quote.
