How to transport a fridge freezer

A reliable fridge freezer is an essential item in anyone's home. However, as anyone who's tried to move one alone can validate, they're not the easiest thing to get from A to B. Equally, if you damage them in the moving process, it can be an unnecessary cost at an already expensive time.

So, whether you're taking your refrigerator from one place to the next - or you've found a great deal online and need a way to transport it - we're here to help.

Here are our top tips on transporting your fridge with care. To make it easier to digest, we’ve split up moving your fridge into two sections;

Get someone to help

Fridges, typically, are items that can be incredibly heavy and awkward to move. So, for safety and security reasons, try to avoid moving it alone. Instead, find a friend, neighbour, family member or partner to lend a helping hand.

Use a moving dolly

A moving dolly will make it much easier to move the fridge. You can rent such equipment with straps. Before choosing one, ensure the fridge can fit on the base securely and avoid any dolly that might be too small.

Always keep it upright

Provided your fridge is secured to the moving dolly, the next thing to be mindful of is that you should minimise tilting as much as possible. Not keeping the fridge upright means the oil from the compressor could seep into the cooling tubes - making for a costly fix!

Move slowly and gently

As a fridge is so heavy, your feeling may be to get it moved as efficiently as possible. However, you need to move slowly and carefully. Your helper should be on the other side of the dolly, securing the fridge and guiding you through any obstacles with effective communication.

Load the fridge into the van

When renting a vehicle to move a fridge, you need to guarantee two things - a ramp and enough space in the back to stand it up. Once at your van, work as a duo to carefully get your fridge in without dropping it. Make use of straps to minimise the amount of movement during transit.

Unload and set up

Follow the list in reverse to get the fridge into your new home, then leave it unplugged in your kitchen for at least four hours to allow oils to settle. After four hours, plug it in, turn it on and leave it for an additional 12 hours, giving it enough time to cool down and store food safely again.