Moving A Fridge Freezer

Whether you’re planning a house move, want to send an item for repair, or are needing to pick up a second-hand bargain you’ve bagged online; when you’re looking at moving a fridge freezer, there are a few things you’ll need to consider.

It can be challenging moving kitchen appliances, especially moving fridges and freezers as not only are they big and bulky, but they’ll also need to be carefully prepared before they are transported. At SoonAs, we’ve compiled our best advice into this handy guide, to set you up with some top tips for keeping both you and your fridge freezer in one piece.

How to move a fridge in 3 simple steps:


1. Empty it.

It’s a good idea to ensure your fridge freezer is clear of any contents before you attempt to move it. Whilst it might sound obvious, your fridge is going to be subject to quite a of movement during lifting and loading – having edible items such as yoghurt, eggs and juice rolling around and spilling inside could cause quite a mess! Starting a few days prior to collection, use up any perishable items such as fruit and meat, and stock up on insulated cool bags or boxes - these are incredibly useful as a temporary storage solutions for your refrigerated products. These storage items can keep your refrigerated produce cool for up to 12 hours, giving you plenty of time to move your fridge freezer to its new location.

And it’s not just food and drink that you’ll need to remove. Whilst you might consider taping the internal shelves and drawers in place, it’s always better if you can remove them and package them separately, to keep them safe from rattling around during transit. Don’t forget, you’ll need to remove any external items such as door notes or fridge magnets from the doors, to ensure they don’t get in the way when the driver comes to move your fridge freezer.

Once all of the contents have been taken out – the next thing to remember is to unplug the appliance to ensure it is completely powered down.

2. Defrost it.

One of the most important things to remember when moving a fridge freezer is that you will need to defrost the unit fully, allowing plenty of time for the ice to clear, before attempting to lift and load it. The main reason for this is simply that once unplugged, the ice inside will start to melt and the water will start to leak out into the vehicle or your home.

Generally, it takes around 8 to 10 hours for a fridge freezer to defrost fully, but to be on the safe side it is good practice to start the defrosting process earlier or even the day before. This will provide you with a bit of extra time to dry the unit out fully with towel before moving time arrives.

3. Move it.

The main thing when it comes to moving a fridge freezer is to enlist some help. Whether yours is an American-style, freestanding or integrated, or even a smart fridge with internet connectivity, fridges and freezers are notoriously big and bulky and can be awkward when attempting to lift on your own. Booking a delivery service will ensure your appliance is handled by experienced hands that will ensure neither you or your refrigerated appliance are harmed in the removal process!

Your chosen delivery driver will have the right equipment, such as a moving dolly, to ensure your fridge freezer doesn’t cause any damage to the floor; as well as making it easier to lift, navigate and even move up and down staircases. (When booking with SoonAs, we’d advise you to always get in touch with the driver before confirming your job, just to make sure they are clear as to the equipment required for your specific item).

Once lifted onto the dolly, the appliance should be strapped securely in place to prevent it from coming unattached and then once it is loaded onto the vehicle, it should be carefully secured again to avoid any movement or tipping during transit. It’s always advisable to transport fridge freezer appliances upright, to prevent any oil from leaking into the cooling tubes, as this can cause permanent damage.

Finishing Touches

When your appliance arrives at its destination, you should wait a few hours before you plug it back in – this allows any oils or fluids to settle and avoids damaging any of the parts or components of your fridge freezer. After this period of time has passed, plug it in, pop your shelves back in and you’re ready to re-stock with your favourite food and drink items.

Sound simple? With SoonAs, we’ve taken the hassle out of moving your furniture and appliances, by making it quick and easy book a delivery driver with the right vehicle and equipment for your job.

Get a quote today for a cheaper way to send your items.