Is it safe to transport a fridge freezer on its side?

Can You Transport a Fridge 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.

Can you lay a fridge freezer on its side 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.

Is it OK to lay a fridge down for transport?

Refrigerators travel best standing up. However, this might not always be possible. Though not preferable, you can move your refrigerator laying on its side. Remember, your fridge needs to stand still for hours after the move.

What happens if you lay a refrigerator on its side?

Besides this, placing a refrigerator flat on its back is a major no-no: the weight of the fridge can damage its internal parts, even if they're not exposed. Some manufacturers warn not to move any of their refrigerators, or certain models, on their side under any circumstances.

How long can a freezer lay on its side?

Be careful to secure the door to prevent it from opening. Set it upright in its final location and allow the freezer to sit for the same amount of time that it was on its side (24 hours maximum). Do not plug the unit into the electrical receptacle without allowing this settling time.

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

How long can a fridge lay on its side?

Fortunately, while it will affect your fridge, it will only be temporary. You can safely lay a refrigerator on its side without any long-lasting ill effects, provided that you'll let your fridge rest upright for at least 4 hours (24 hours at most) before turning it on.

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."

How do you transport 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.

What 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.

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.

How long leave fridge freezer after moving?

Once your fridge has been safely moved into the desired position, it needs time to settle. As aforementioned, you should leave the appliance to stand unplugged, in an upright position, for at least 4 hours to allow its compressor oil to settle. Once 4 hours have passed, you can plug your appliance in.

Do freezers need to be transported upright?

Transport the freezer in an upright position. If it has been necessary to transport the freezer on its side, it should be stood upright for an equal amount of time as it was on its side before plugging it in. If on its side for more than a day, leave standing for 24 hours before running.

How do I transport a new upright freezer?

When moving the freezer, wrap it in blankets or another form of padding. The padding will protect the exterior of the appliance from damage. Ideally, you should keep your freezer entirely upright the entire time during the move. If you do not have space to transport the freezer upright, place it on the compressor side.

Can a refrigerator be transported on its back or 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.

How do you move a fridge freezer?

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 long should you leave a fridge freezer before turning it on?

Once the unit is in the house you should: Leave the appliance to sit for 3 hours. Then plug it in and switch it on. It should then be left overnight to stabilize before putting any fresh food into it.

Can you lay a refrigerator down 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.

What happens if you don't leave a fridge to settle?

The short answer is to keep your fridge or freezer in proper working order. This is due to an oil which is present in the compressor on your appliance, an oil which, if leaked into the refrigeration system during movement, can cause a blockage once the appliance is turned back on.

How long should a fridge be upright?

If it was on its side for more than a day, leave it standing upright for 24 hours before running the refrigerator. If laying on its side just briefly to service, clean or adjust, just a few minutes of stand time will be enough.

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.

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.

How do you transport a fridge freezer UK?

It is always best to keep a fridge or freezer upright when moving, but you can transport a fridge on its side too. Just remember that before it is plugged in and switched on, it should be left upright for a minimum of 3 hours.

How long should I wait to plug in my fridge after laying it down?

If it's been on its side for 30 minutes during transit, wait 30 minutes once it's back upright. If it's been on its side for more than a day, you should wait 24 hours.