Moving a fridge freezer is a formidable task, these appliances are big, heavy, and contain delicate components that need care. Whether you’re relocating to a new home or just repositioning the fridge, following the proper steps is crucial for safety and to avoid damaging the unit.
Here is the ultimate step-by-step guide to moving a fridge or fridge-freezer in 2025, incorporating modern best practices.
Prep the Fridge in Advance (Empty and Defrost)
Plan ahead at least a day before moving your fridge. Start by removing all food and items from it, use up what you can, put perishables in coolers, and toss any old leftovers. Next, unplug the refrigerator and defrost the freezer compartment fully. Defrosting is critical: a freezer full of frost will melt during the move and can leak water everywhere. Most fridges will defrost within a few hours if you leave the doors open; for significant ice buildup, you might need to unplug 24 hours in advance.
Place towels to catch dripping water. While it’s defrosting, this is a good time to clean the interior, wipe down shelves and surfaces so you’re not moving grime to your new home. Also remove any loose parts like shelves, drawers, or ice trays; wrap them in towels or bubble wrap and pack separately. Essentially, get the fridge completely empty, dry, and at room temperature before moving, this prevents messes and reduces weight.
Measure and Plan the Exit Path
Measure your refrigerator’s dimensions (height, width, depth) and also measure doorways, hallways, and any tight spaces it must pass through. This ensures the fridge will fit out of your current location and into the new spot without surprises. If the fridge is too large for a doorway, you may need to remove the doors from the hinges of either the room or the fridge itself, many fridge doors can be temporarily taken off to narrow the appliance’s profile. Also plan the route: figure out which door is best to take it out of, and clear obstacles along the way (rugs, furniture, etc.). If there are stairs or sharp corners, plan how you’ll handle those, sometimes going down stairs is easier with the fridge tilted slightly or using a stair-climbing dolly. It often helps to protect your floors during the move: lay down cardboard or blankets on hardwood or tile to avoid scratches when rolling the appliance out.
Secure the Fridge for Moving
Before you start wheeling it around, prepare the fridge itself. Tape the refrigerator and freezer doors shut with moving tape or bungee cords so they don’t swing open (some movers also wrap the appliance in stretch wrap for extra security). If your model has a power cord or water line (for ice maker) hanging loose, secure those to the back with tape as well. It’s also a good idea to protect the fridge’s finish, you can wrap it in a moving blanket or pad, especially if you’ll be going through doorways where bumps can happen. At this stage, also protect yourself: recruit at least one strong helper (fridges are often 150–300 lbs). Wear work gloves with good grip, and if possible, a back support belt. Moving a fridge is a two-person (or more) job; never try to solo a full-size fridge. With doors taped and pads in place, you’re ready to move it.
Use Proper Equipment, an Appliance Dolly is a Must
The safest way to move a fridge is with an appliance dolly (hand truck) designed for heavy objects. Slide the dolly’s flat base under the fridge (usually from the side or front after tilting the fridge slightly backward). Secure the fridge to the dolly with straps or bungee cords so it doesn’t slip off. Keep the fridge upright on the dolly, these dollies have high backs specifically to support tall appliances and keep them vertical. Tilting only slightly is okay for maneuvering, but avoid laying the fridge more than 45°; refrigerators should generally stay as upright as possible to keep the compressor oil from flowing out of place.
Once strapped, carefully tilt the dolly backward just enough to engage the wheels, you’ll feel the weight. Move slowly and smoothly. When navigating doorways or corners, go gently and have your helper guide or cushion the edges so the fridge doesn’t bang into frames. Take extra caution on ramps or stairs: if going down stairs, one person (strongest) should be below guiding the dolly down step by step, and one above stabilising, and do not let it tilt beyond a safe angle. If there are many stairs or tight turns, it might be worth using professional movers or special motorised dollies. The goal is to move the fridge without jolting it or tipping it excessively.
Load and Transport Securely (Always Upright)
When you get the fridge to the moving truck (or van), keep it upright for loading. Using a ramp, wheel it up slowly with someone pushing from behind. Position the fridge in the truck so it will stay upright during transit, ideally against a wall of the truck. Strap it in place using ratchet straps or ropes to anchor it to the truck’s side rails. This prevents it from sliding or tipping if there are bumps during driving. It’s worth noting: do not transport a fridge on its side unless absolutely unavoidable.
Lying it down can cause compressor oil to flow into the cooling lines. If for some reason the fridge must go sideways (say, it’s the only way to fit in a vehicle), be prepared to keep it unplugged for a longer period later (typically upright for the same amount of time it was on its side, or at least 24 hours, before turning it on). But in almost all cases, transporting upright is strongly recommended. If you’ve secured it well, the fridge should ride just fine. Drive cautiously, avoiding hard stops or sharp turns.
After the Move, Positioning and Powering Up
Once you’ve arrived and maneuvered the fridge into its new spot in the kitchen, there are a couple of final important steps. First, set the fridge down gently and adjust it to be level (most have adjustable feet, a level fridge is important for proper cooling). Do not plug it in immediately. After any move, especially if the fridge was tilted, you need to let it sit unplugged upright for a few hours so that the fluids (refrigerant and compressor oil) settle back to normal positions.
Experts generally suggest waiting around 4 hours before plugging in a refrigerator that’s been moved upright, and up to 24 hours if it was transported on its side. This waiting protects the compressor from damage (the oil needs to resettle to lubricate it properly). While you wait, you can wipe the inside again, put shelves back, etc. Once the time has passed, plug it in and verify it’s running. Don’t load food immediately; give it time to cool down to the proper temperature (which can take several more hours). Finally, check for any noises or leaks over the first day, if you hear anything unusual, double-check the leveling and door seals.
By following these steps, you’ll greatly reduce the risk of injury or damage when moving a fridge freezer. In summary, planning and patience are key: prep the appliance well, use the right equipment and help, keep it upright and secured, and don’t rush to restart it. With careful execution, you’ll successfully transport your refrigerator to its new home and have it running smoothly, ready to keep things cool again.
