Table of Contents
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.
Is it OK to transport a refrigerator laying down?
Can you lay a fridge or freezer down to move it? Fridges and freezers are best transported upright to keep the cooling refrigerant in its right place. With a lot of padding underneath, lie your fridge or upright freezer down and secure it with straps so it can’t move during transit.
How long can you leave a fridge on its side?
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 after laying a fridge can it be laid down?
ANSWER: General rule for refrigerators is 24 hours before it should be plugged in after being laid down for transport or moving.
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.
Why do you have to wait 24 hours to plug in a fridge?
Its because the compressor lubrication oil could get into the cylinder of the compressor and if not given plenty of time to drain back into the oil sump at the bottom of the compressor, could cause major compressor valve damage on start up. 2 or more hours is a good rule to observe.
What happens when you lay a freezer on its side?
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.
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 back for a short time?
If you do lay your fridge down to move it, you can lay it on its front or side, but it’s not recommended that you lay it on its back – the weight of the fridge’s body on its working parts could damage them, even if they’re not exposed.
How long before you can plug in a fridge after moving it?
When you plan to restart the refrigerator after moving it, wait at least twelve hours before plugging in to ensure that any lubricant or coolant is settled into place and isn’t going to gush out or damage the function of your refrigerator when plugged back in.
Can I 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.
Can you transport a mini fridge laying down?
I don’t recommend moving any fridge on its side. The liquid coolant will flow backward through the lines. If you do this you should let the fridge sit upright a couple of hours before plugging it in to let the coolant flow back to the compressor. Not doing so could burn out the compressor.
Can you lay a Whirlpool fridge down to move it?
ANSWER Steve, Yes, transporting a refrigerator laying down, can affect the refrigerator . An old rule of thumb is to leave the refrigerator upright for as long as the refrigerator was laid down, or longer, before you apply power to the machine.
How do you transport a new fridge?
A refrigerator should really only be transported in an upright position. If you are deciding how to transport a refrigerator in a pickup truck, trailer or moving truck, remember that it’s best to keep the refrigerator upright, and rent or borrow a vehicle that will allow for that positioning.
Can we transport fridge in car?
Refrigerators should not be laid on their side because the compressor oil drains out into the coolant lines. You can move fridges on their side. You just need to have the fridge stand upright for 24 hours before plugging it in.
Do refrigerators have to stay upright?
Refrigerators travel best standing up. 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 hard is it to relocate a fridge?
Moving a refrigerator is hard enough without its doors flying open during the move. So before placing your refrigerator on the dolly, wrap the appliance with either a moving strap or strong rope. Make sure the rope is tied tightly and the doors are securely closed before sliding it onto the dolly.
