Purchasing a new one The delivery of a refrigerator is always a joyful event, marking the beginning of a new stage in everyday life, but immediately after the delivery of the equipment, the most important and crucial moment arises. Many owners make the fatal mistake of hastily connecting the unit to the power grid, not knowing about the hidden nuances of transportation preparation. Proper unpacking is not just the removal of cardboard and polyethylene, but a set of measures on which the service life of the compressor and the quality of cooling directly depend.
In this article we will analyze in detail each stage of the process, starting with inspection of the external packaging and ending with the removal of internal fasteners, which can imperceptibly damage the mechanism during the first start. Transportation bolts, polyurethane foam and protective films - all this should be removed according to a strict algorithm to avoid costly repairs in the future. Ignoring the rules of initial installation often leads to increased noise, vibration and even failure of the cooling system.
Before proceeding, it is necessary to prepare free space and tools, since large-sized equipment requires careful handling. We will look at how to safely move the device, how to wash off any remaining glue, and when exactly you can plug the device into a power outlet after unpacking. Compliance with temporary intervals Between unpacking and startup is a critical parameter that even experienced users often forget about.
Initial inspection and site preparation installation
The unpacking process begins long before you pick up a knife or scissors. The first step is to carefully visually inspect the outer cardboard box for mechanical damage, dents or signs of moisture. If the packaging shows serious defects, this may indicate that during loading and unloading operations the refrigerator may have received an impact that could damage the internal tubes or compressor.
Particular attention should be paid to the markings on the side edges, which indicate transportation rules, for example, a "Top" or "Careful" sign. Poor orientation during delivery (for example, if the refrigerator lying on its side for longer than the specified time) can lead to oil leakage into the cooling circuit, which will require a long period of settling before switching on. Ideally, the box should be dry, intact and have no traces of strong compression.
⚠️ Attention: If you find serious damage to the case or hear rattling inside when gently rocking the box, do not sign the acceptance certificate without checking or immediately call a store representative to fix the defects.
You need to move the box to the installation site with caution, using the help of a second person, since even a packaged unit has significant weight. Modern models are often equipped with rollers at the bottom, which makes it easier to move on a flat floor, but on thresholds or carpets it is better to use a cart or thick cardboard as a slide. It is important to clear the route of foreign objects in advance so as not to trip and drop the equipment.
Tools and safety when unpacking
For high-quality and safe unpacking, you will need a minimum set of tools that can be found in any home. The main tool will be a stationery knife with a sharp blade or a construction knife, which will allow you to make even cuts without the risk of damaging the surface of the refrigerator. You may also need scissors to cut out hard-to-reach corners and pliers to remove metal staples or wires if they were used for fastening.
Safety comes first in this process, since cardboard sheets may have sharp edges, and metal packaging elements may have burrs. It is recommended to use thick work gloves to protect your hands from cuts and splinters. In addition, the shoes must be stable, and the floor in the unpacking area must be dry and clean to prevent slipping when working with heavy loads.
- 🛠️ A sharp stationery or construction knife for opening the tape.
- 🧤 Thick work gloves to protect your hands from cuts.
- 📏 Tape measure for checking the dimensions and distance to the walls.
- 🧹 A vacuum cleaner or broom for quickly cleaning up garbage.
Therefore, having a vacuum cleaner at hand will be very useful, especially if you are unpacking equipment in a living room or kitchen with a clean floor. Expanded polystyrene easily electrified and sticks to clothes and surfaces, so it is better to remove it immediately.
☑️ Preparing for unpacking
Removing the outer packaging and shipping elements
Start opening the box from the top, carefully cutting the tape along the central seams and side edges. You should not make deep cuts that go inside, so as not to accidentally scratch the top panel of the refrigerator or damage the controls if they are located on top. After removing the top valve, it is necessary to remove the top foam plug, which usually fixes the unit vertically.
Then the box is carefully lifted or unfolded, allowing access to the side walls. Side foam inserts often have a complex shape that follows the contours of the refrigerator, and can be fastened to each other or to the body with tape. Transport tape can be glued in several places, including the doors and back panel, so you need to carefully inspect the perimeter.
| Element packaging | Location | Removal features | Risks if ignored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top foam | Unit cover | Removable by movement up | Scratches on the top panel |
| Side inserts | Along the perimeter of the case | Requires careful bending | Damage to the side walls |
| Lower platform | Base (pallet) | Removable after tilting | Difficult to install in place |
| Protective film | All surface | Removed completely | Heating of the case, loss of view |
After removing the main cardboard box and foam, attention turns to the protective film that covers the case. It must be removed completely, as it is intended only for protection during transportation and storage. The film left on the body under the influence of heat from the operating compressor can become deformed, stick to the surface, or even cause local overheating, which is especially critical for models with systems. No Frost.
Removing internal fasteners and accessories
Opening the refrigerator doors, you will find that the interior space is also filled with packaging materials. Shelves, vegetable drawers and containers on the door are often secured with tape or foam inserts so that they do not hit the walls when shaking. All these elements must be removed, checked for integrity and installed in their places according to the instructions.
Particular attention should be paid to the system Door-in-Door or other complex opening mechanisms that can be blocked by special stoppers. If you skip removing such a lock, you may damage the hinges or the latch mechanism the first time you open it. In some models, electronic control panels may also be protected by pads that need to be carefully peeled off.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to force open the door or pull out the drawer if you feel resistance. Carefully inspect the insides for hidden fasteners or tape blocking movement.
Inside the chamber there may also be bags containing documentación, warranty cards and additional accessories such as egg trays or ice trays. It is better to immediately put them in a separate place so that they do not interfere with further installation and washing of the cameras. After freeing the internal space, it is recommended to wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth and a mild detergent to remove factory dust and the smell of new plastic.
What to do with the smells of new equipment?
The smell of new plastic is normal. After wet cleaning, leave the refrigerator doors open for 2-3 hours in a ventilated area. You can also put an activated carbon tablet or an open pack of soda inside to adsorb odors.
Removing the shipping bolts and preparing the compressor
This is the most critical stage on which the performance of the entire cooling system depends. On the back wall of the refrigerator, in the lower part, there are shipping bolts or screws that rigidly fix the compressor to the frame. They prevent damage to the motor mount and tubes during transportation, but when the refrigerator is running, their presence causes severe vibration and noise, and can also lead to breakage of the tubes.
Removing them usually requires a wrench, which is often included with the documentation, or a regular open-end wrench of the appropriate size. It is necessary to unscrew all the bolts (usually there are 2 or 4 of them) and save them in case of repeated transportation. After unscrewing the bolts, the compressor should “walk” freely on its shock absorber springs when pressed lightly.
- 🔧 Find the transport bolts on the rear panel below.
- 🔩 Prepare a wrench (often a 10 or 12 mm wrench).
- 🔄 Unscrew the bolts counterclockwise until they are completely removed.
- ✅ Check the mobility of the compressor (it should spring back).
In some modern models, instead of bolts, special plastic clamps or brackets may be used, which you simply need to pull out or snap off. The instructions for a specific model Indesit, Beko or LG always contain a diagram of the location of these elements. If, after removing the clamps, the refrigerator continues to vibrate and rattle strongly when turned on, it means that the procedure was not completed completely or the suspension is damaged.
Final installation and first switching on
After the refrigerator is completely freed from packaging and fasteners, it must be installed in a permanent place. The surface must be level, hard and stable. To compensate for uneven floors, adjustable support screws are used on the front bottom of the housing. By rotating them, achieve a stable position: the refrigerator should not wobble with a slight push.
It is important to maintain the temperature gap between the back wall of the refrigerator and the wall of the room. The minimum distance is usually 5-10 cm, which ensures the necessary air circulation to cool the condenser. Violation of this rule leads to overheating of the system, increased energy consumption and reduced service life of the unit. Also make sure that the refrigerator is not located close to heat sources such as radiators or a stove.
The most important question is how long after unpacking can you turn on the refrigerator? If transportation was carried out in a vertical position, it is enough to wait 2-4 hours for the temperatures to equalize and the oil to stabilize. If the refrigerator was lying on its side, the waiting time increases to 8-12 hours (and in winter up to 24 hours) so that the refrigerant and oil completely drain into the compressor.
⚠️ Attention: Do not plug in the refrigerator immediately if it has been brought in from the cold. Allow it to warm up to room temperature for several hours to avoid condensation forming on the electrical contacts.
After plugging it in, let the refrigerator run empty for 1-2 hours so that it reaches the required temperature. Only after this can you load products. Initial start-up may be accompanied by more noisy operation than usual as the system enters operating mode. Make sure that the door closes tightly and the seal around the perimeter is not deformed.
Why does the refrigerator not cool immediately?
After the first turn on, the refrigerator takes time (from 2 to 12 hours depending on the model and load) to cool the chambers to the set point temperature. Do not load it with products right away, this will increase the time it takes to reach the mode and the load on the compressor.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to throw away the shipping bolts?
It is not recommended to throw them away. Save the bolts and packaging (or at least the bolts) in case you need to move the refrigerator to a new apartment or send it to a service center. Transportation without a fixed compressor can damage the unit.
What to do if you have lost the instructions for removing the bolts?
Most of the transport bolts are located symmetrically at the bottom of the rear wall. Usually there are 2 or 4 of them. If you are not sure, look for the model of your refrigerator on the Internet using the code from the nameplate - there is always a diagram there. If there are no bolts, your model may use a boltless fixation system (foam inside).
Do you need to remove the protective film from the sides if they are not visible?
Yes, you need to remove all the protective film, even from the side and back walls, if there is any. The film interferes with heat transfer (especially if these are models with wall cooling) and may darken or stick to the body over time, which will ruin the appearance.
How long after turning on can you load food?
It is recommended to wait at least 2 hours after turning on the empty refrigerator so that it reaches operating temperature. Complete stabilization of the temperature regime in all chambers can take up to 12 hours.