Moving to a new apartment or house is always stressful, associated with a huge number of tasks, but the most difficult of them is often transporting large household appliances. The refrigerator is one of the largest, heaviest and most technically complex items in the house, requiring a special approach when moving. Improper preparation and violation of transportation rules can lead to serious damage to the case, internal shelves and, most critically, failure of the compressor.
Many owners wonder whether it is possible to transport the refrigerator lying down or whether it is necessary to keep it in an upright position. The answer lies in the design of the compressor system and the risks associated with the oil and refrigerant. In this article, we will analyze in detail all stages of preparation, from defrosting to installation in a new place, so that your equipment will serve for many years.
Ignoring simple safety rules can turn a joyful move into an expensive repair or purchase of a new unit. Understanding the physical processes occurring inside of the refrigerator compartment during shaking and tilting will help you make the right decisions during the loading process.
Preparing the refrigerator for transportation
You need to start preparing for the move long before the movers arrive, ideally before 24 hours before the scheduled date. The first and most important step is to completely defrost the unit, since the presence of ice inside the system or on the walls can lead to leaks and damage to the plastic elements when the position is changed.
After the ice has melted, you must thoroughly wash the internal surfaces and shelves using special detergents or a weak soda solution. This will avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor and the growth of bacteria while the equipment is unplugged. Pay special attention to the drainage hole, through which water usually drains during defrosting.
Internal shelves and drawers are best removed completely and transported separately, wrapped in bubble wrap or soft cloth. If this is not possible, they can be left inside, but in this case, each element must be securely fixed so that when shaking they do not break and damage the internal walls of the chamber.
Be sure to dry all internal surfaces dry before packing. A humid environment in an enclosed space encourages mold growth. For transporting internal parts, cardboard boxes from the equipment itself or any suitable container with soft filling are ideal.
☑️ Preparation checklist
Packaging and fixing the doors
Reliable packaging is the key to preserving the aesthetic appearance of your refrigerator. The body of the equipment is covered with enamel or stainless steel, which are easily scratched when in contact with other objects or tie belts. For protection, use a thick cardboard box if you have one, or wrap the unit with several layers of stretch film and bubble wrap.
Securing the doors in the closed position is critical. During transportation, the doors may open spontaneously due to vibration, which will lead to impacts with the car body or other things. Use strong masking tape or special straps, but do not tighten them too much so as not to deform the seals.
⚠️ Attention: Never use regular office tape to secure doors, as it can leave sticky traces of glue that are very difficult to remove from the surface of the case. Use only masking tape or soft straps.
If you are transporting your refrigerator in the back of a truck with other items, make sure it is stable. The gaps between the equipment and the sides of the body must be filled with soft things, blankets or special pillows to prevent movement when turning and braking.
Vertical or horizontal transportation
One of the most common questions that arises when planning a move: is it possible to transport a refrigerator lying down? Manufacturers and service technicians strongly recommend transporting equipment in a strictly vertical position. This is due to the design of the compressor, in which oil can flow into the refrigerant circuit when tilted.
If you transport the unit lying down, oil from the compressor can get into the discharge line, which will lead to water hammer and failure of the compressor when first started. In addition, in a horizontal position, the risk of damage to the tubes and condenser located on the rear wall increases.
However, if the dimensions of the doorway or the height of the body do not allow the refrigerator to be transported while standing, it can still be placed, but in compliance with strict rules. The equipment can be tilted no more than 45 degrees, and should only be laid on the side opposite to the outlet of the compressor tubes (usually the right side when viewed from the rear).
What happens if you violate the tilt angle?
If you tilt the refrigerator too much or place it on the “wrong” side, oil from the compressor may leak into the cooling circuit. This will lead to clogging of the capillary tube and overload of the motor when starting, which often ends in expensive repairs.
When transported in a passenger car on the roof (which is extremely undesirable), the risk of damage to the housing from the oncoming flow of air and dust is enormous. If there is no other way out, use a rigid frame and reliable waterproofing, but remember that the vibrations of the passenger car body are transmitted to the equipment much more strongly.
Features of transporting different types of refrigerators
Various models of refrigerators have their own design features that must be taken into account when moving. For example, two-chamber models Side-by-Side have enormous weight and dimensions, which makes their transportation especially difficult. For such giants, it is often necessary to dismantle the doors in order to pass through the openings and reduce the load on the hinges.
Refrigerators with the system No Frost are more sensitive to shocks due to the presence of fans and a complex system of air ducts inside the case. Shaking can disrupt the fastening of these elements, so depreciation when transporting such models should be maximum.
Built-in appliances require a special approach: before transportation, you must carefully remove the decorative facades and remove the unit from the furniture niche. It is strictly prohibited to transport a built-in refrigerator together with a furniture box, since vibration will destroy both the equipment and the set.
| Refrigerator type | Recommended position | Risks in case of violation | Features packaging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-chamber | Vertical | Oil leakage | Fixation of shelves |
| Double-chamber | Vertical | Damage to partitions | Dismantling of doors |
| Side-by-Side | Strictly vertical | Deformation of the body | Removal from the base |
| Built-in | Vertical | Chipping the facade | Separate from the furniture |
Transportation in winter
Moving in the cold season adds additional difficulties associated with temperature changes. A sudden release of equipment from frost into a warm room can cause the formation of condensation not only outside, but also inside electronic components, which is dangerous due to a short circuit.
If you had to transport a refrigerator in winter, do not rush to unpack and turn it on at the new place. Let the equipment stand in a warm room in its packaging for at least 4-5 hours, or better yet, leave it overnight. This time is necessary to equalize the temperature of all components with room temperature.
⚠️ Attention: Plugging in a frozen refrigerator can lead to thermostat failure and damage to the compressor due to frozen oil, which has become too thick in the cold.
Also note that rubber door seals become hard in cold weather and brittle. When opening doors immediately after frost, you can accidentally damage them, so give the rubber time to “come back” and become elastic.
Actions after moving: installation and first start
After the refrigerator is delivered to the kitchen, it must be installed correctly. Level the unit by adjusting the legs so that it is stable and does not wobble. This is necessary for proper operation of the water drainage system and reduction of noise during compressor operation.
You can connect the equipment to the power supply only after it has stood in a vertical position. The settling time depends on how you transported it: if strictly vertically, 2-3 hours is enough, if tilted or lying down, it is better to wait 8-12 hours for the oil to completely drain into the compressor crankcase.
The first start-up is best done without loading with products. Let the refrigerator run idle for 1-2 hours so that it reaches the required temperature in the chambers. Only after this can you gradually load the products, avoiding sudden overload of the compressor.
Check the operation of all modes, including super freezing (if available), and make sure that the doors close tightly. If you notice strong vibrations or unusual noise, check to see if the condenser tubes are touching the walls or furniture.
Why does the refrigerator not turn off for a long time after the first turn on?
When starting for the first time after a long period of inactivity or moving, the compressor can run without stopping for several hours. This is normal, since the system must reach operating temperature conditions from scratch. Do not be alarmed and do not turn it off ahead of time.
How long should the refrigerator settle after transportation?
The settling time depends on the transportation conditions. If the equipment was transported vertically, 2-4 hours is enough. If there was a significant tilt or transportation lying down, it is recommended to wait 8 to 24 hours before plugging in.
Is it possible to transport a refrigerator with food inside?
It is absolutely not possible. Products will create additional load on the shelves and may fall apart, stain the insides, or defrost. In addition, the weight of the food can deform the shelves when shaking.
What to do if the refrigerator does not freeze after moving?
Don’t panic. Let it sit unplugged for a few more hours. If the problem persists, check to see if the tubes are kinked at the back. If there is no visual damage, an oil leak may have occurred, and you will need to call a technician to bleed the system.
Do you need to remove the doors during transportation?
It is not necessary to completely remove the doors if you secure them securely with tape. However, for models Side-by-Side or with very narrow doorways, dismantling the doors may be necessary to get through the dimensions.