Guide

Moving a fridge: lying down or upright?

Defrost, secure, carry upright and then wait: what matters when moving a fridge.

Have your fridge transported

Upright or lying down?

Upright. There is oil in the compressor. If the fridge lies down, it can run into the cooling lines, and the compressor then runs without lubrication for a while.

If there's no other way, lay it on its side, never on its back, because that's where the lines are. Afterwards it has to stand for considerably longer before you switch it on.

Preparation

1. Switch off and defrost the day before. The freezer compartment usually needs a few hours. Put towels underneath and wipe up the meltwater.
2. Empty it. Take out glass shelves and drawers and pack them separately, otherwise they'll break while carrying.
3. Secure the doors. Tape them shut with masking tape or a strap so they don't swing open. Ordinary parcel tape often leaves sticky residue.
4. Tape down the cable. At the back, so nobody steps on it.
5. Check height and weight. Both are on the rating plate or in the data sheet and determine the size when booking.

Which size do you need?

• Mini fridge: Up to 40 kg and 120 × 80 × 60 cm, that's size Large (L).
• Heavier appliance: Over 40 kg it counts as bulky items. Then we always come as a team of two.
• Tall fridge-freezer: Book it as bulky items too. It travels upright, depending on its dimensions by cargo bike with a Zemmi trailer or in the electric van.

Enter the height and weight when booking and you'll see which size fits. Carrying works the same as with a washing machine: upright, well secured, gripped at the bottom edge and not by the door.

After the move: wait

Set the fridge up and let it stand before you plug it in. The oil has to run back into the compressor. After upright transport a few hours are usually enough; after lying down it takes considerably longer. The exact time is in the user manual. Only fill it once it's cold.