Can you lay a fridge on its back?

The answer is no. A refrigerator should never be transported on its back; the weight of the fridge can damage internal parts, and the internal fluids such as the oil inside the motor; or the refrigerant may shift and settle in undesirable places in the machine's system.

Can you transport a fridge lying down?

Though not preferable, you can move your refrigerator laying on its side. Remember, your fridge needs to stand still for hours after the move. If transported on its side, this wait time goes up to twice the time that the appliance has laid on its side.

How long can you leave a refrigerator laying on its back?

If it's necessary to put the refrigerator on its side after transporting. It should stand upright for an equal amount of time as it was on its side. Leave standing for 24 hours if it was on its side for more than one day.

Is it OK to transport a refrigerator on its side?

It's best to keep your refrigerator in an upright position for the entire move, no matter what its size. This is because putting a fridge down on its side can cause damage to the refrigerator compressor and keep it from doing its job. The compressor is filled with oil that is held in place by gravity.

Do refrigerators have to be transported upright?

Built-In models: All built-in refrigerator models, when transported in a vehicle, must be in an upright position under all circumstances. However, it can be tilted to the side when placed on a dolly to take it into the home.

Can You Lay a Refrigerator on Its Side? How to Transport a Refrigerator on Its Side

How do you fix a refrigerator that was laying down?

If your refrigerator was on its side for more than 24 hours, let it stand upright for 24 hours before plugging it in. Allowing the fridge to stand in its normal position before plugging it in will give the oil time to flow back into the compressor where it belongs.

Which side do you lay a fridge down?

"If you're lying a fridge on its side, put it with the hinge side at the top, as gravity will make it spring open the other way. "If your unit's got an external heat exchanger on the back, then on its side might be best. But provided the back is flat and clear, then lying it on its back is probably safest."

Can I lay my fridge freezer down to transport it?

Refrigerators have to be transported upright

You should never lay your fridge freezer down. When on its back or side, oil will flow into the cooling tubes, and it may not drain from them when the fridge moves back to an upright position. As a consequence, your fridge may stop cooling properly or break down completely.

Why do you have to wait 24 hours to plug in a fridge?

Let the refrigerator sit upright for the recommended 24 hours before plugging the refrigerator into power so the oils can settle into place and not cause any issues or error codes.

How far can you tilt a refrigerator?

Be sure to keep the appliance tilted no more than 45 degrees for the entire journey and take caution as needed while navigating around corners, through doorways and up or down ramps of any kind. Don't Forget! When moving a refrigerator, it's critical to never lay or carry your appliance on its back or side.

How long must a fridge stand after transporting?

Once your fridge has been safely moved into the kitchen of your new home, it needs some time to settle before you can start using it. You should let it stand unplugged, in an upright position, for at least 4 hours to allow its compressor oil to settle.

How long does a refrigerator need to sit upright?

If it was on its side for two hours, leave it upright and unplugged for two hours. If it was delivered on its side, or was sideways for more than a day, then give it a full 24 hours before plugging it in.

What happens if you turn a fridge on too soon?

Most new appliances will come with a certain amount of warranty or guarantee for the working order of it. While the manufacturer probably wouldn't be able to say that you turned the appliance on too soon, there might be clear signs of a blockage caused by the compressor oil in the refrigerant system.

How do you carry a fridge in a car?

Secure the door shut using either tape or rope. You might want to wrap the appliance in bubble wrap, a blanket, or anything to absorb shocks it may suffer during the move. Secure the appliance to the trolley or truck it's going travel in with heavy-duty ropes. Refrigerators travel best standing up.

Can you lay a freezer on its side for transport?

Yes, you can transport a chest freezer on its side that has the compressor. But the proper and safe method is to transport your chest freezer in its normal upright position. For the best practice in transporting, follow the steps below: Unplug the electrical cable from the power-point.

Which side is the compressor side of a freezer?

Depending on the design of the freezer, the compressor generally is located in the back of the unit near or on the floor. When the compressor is activated, an audible humming noise usually can be heard coming from the refrigerator, while there usually is silence when the compressor is not active.

What happens if a refrigerator is laid down?

When you lay a refrigerator on its side, the oil in the compressor will flow from the compressor tube into the coolant lines. If you must lay the unit on its side, lay it down on the side opposite from where the compressor lines run out of the compressor.

How do you transport a fridge?

Keep all screws and pieces together in a zip lock bag. Wrap the exterior of the fridge in moving blankets or some other cushioning to prevent dings and scratches. For extra protection: Remove refrigerator drawers and glass shelves for safe transport. If you're not going far, you can tape drawers in place instead.

Can you move a fridge straight after turning it off?

When transporting a fridge you need to give the evaporator enough time to defrost, or you risk damaging it during transit. Turning your fridge off the night before will also give the oils and fluids enough time to settle and stop moving through the compressor.

Should a refrigerator be tilted back?

Your refrigerator should be tilted slightly backwards (the front should be a little higher than the back). If it is tilted correctly, the front doors should close by themselves when they are opened to less than 90 degrees.

How do you haul a refrigerator in a pickup?

Make sure the fridge is securely strapped upright on the dolly. Then, back your truck up to wherever you're taking the fridge out. The easiest way to do this is to put your truck's rear wheels against a curb, which reduces the height you'll have to lift the fridge.

Can you fit a fridge in a pickup truck?

With tall heavy objects like a refrigerator, you will want to tie-down from at least two sides. Run your first strap over the top of the fridge and the second around the front, to pull the fridge towards the cab. Tighten your ratchets down. Give it a shake test to ensure there is no movement.

Can you lay a Whirlpool refrigerator down?

The refrigerator can be transported in either the upright or prone position.

Can you tilt a refrigerator?

Avoid The Temptation of Tilting Your Refrigerator

This will allow you to carry one end while a friend or family member carries the other end. Regardless of how “natural” it feels, though, you must avoid the temptation of tilting your refrigerator, because even small shifts may damage it.