Move a fridge upright. The compressor oil and refrigerant are designed to work with the appliance standing up, and on its side oil can run into the refrigerant lines. If the fridge has had to lie down, let it stand upright before switching it on: manufacturers' instructions usually give anything from a few hours to a full day. Even a fridge moved upright is best left to settle for a couple of hours so the oil flows back. Check the time for your model in the user manual.
Upright or on its side
In the moving truck a fridge stands upright, strapped to the wall so it can't tip over when braking. While carrying it can be tilted on a hand truck or on the stairs, but not laid down. A tilt does no harm, because the oil has no time to run anywhere in a moment.
If a van isn't tall enough and the fridge has to travel lying down, lay it on its side, never on its back or face down. On its back the weight of the compressor and the pipes on the rear take every bump, and face down the hinges carry the whole appliance. Many manufacturers' manuals also say which side it can lie on, so that the compressor pipes stay on top.
| Situation | Before switching on |
|---|---|
| Moved upright | let it stand about 2 hours |
| Briefly tilted or on its side | let it stand at least 4 hours |
| Transported a long way on its side | let it stand up to 24 hours, check the manual |
The point of the waiting time is to let the compressor oil drain back into the compressor. If you switch on too early, the compressor may pump oil into the circuit, which weakens cooling or breaks the appliance. Waiting costs nothing, so when in doubt, wait longer.
Preparation the day before
01Empty and defrost
Take the food out and switch the fridge off the evening before at the latest. The freezer section defrosts overnight. Put a towel on the floor and a shallow tray underneath, as there is a surprising amount of meltwater. Frozen food travels in a cool bag in your own car.
02Dry it and leave the door ajar
Wipe the inside dry. A fridge closed while wet will smell when it arrives. Leave the door ajar until it is time to carry.
03Remove shelves and drawers
Glass shelves and crisper drawers move around in transit and can crack. Wrap them in towels and pack them in a box. Secure the door with painter's tape or a strap, not duct tape, which leaves glue on the surface.
04Water connection and ice maker
If the fridge has a water connection, shut off the water and disconnect the hose before moving it, and empty the water tank and ice tray. In the new home check the connection for leaks. If needed, our plumber does the connection.
Carrying on stairs and in lifts
An ordinary fridge-freezer weighs 60–90 kg and is tall and narrow, so it tips over easily. We carry it as a pair with a hand truck and straps: the appliance is secured to the hand truck, and on the stairs one person holds from below while the other steers from above. Nobody carries a fridge alone, which is why we don't have a single-mover rate.
Before moving day, measure two things: the narrowest point of the doorways and the stairwell, and the depth and height of the lift. A fridge that doesn't fit upright has to be tilted in the lift, which is fine for a short trip. If the lift is small, the fridge goes by the stairs.
American fridges
A double-door American fridge is about 90 cm wide and often weighs over a hundred kilos. It won't fit through every doorway as it is. Measure the depth of the appliance without the door handles and compare it with the width of the doorways. Often the doors and handles are removed, which reduces the depth, and the fridge can pass through the doorway sideways.
Mention an American fridge in your quote request, and we will bring a third mover and the right straps. The rate is then €120/h for a three-person crew. The same applies to upright freezers and wine coolers, which are heavy and tall.
Frost doesn't harm an empty fridge during transport, but a fridge brought in from the cold must warm up to room temperature before you switch it on. More winter tips in our guide to moving in winter.
On arrival: getting the fridge running
- Put the fridge in place and adjust the feet so it is level or leans slightly backwards. That way the door closes by itself.
- Leave a ventilation gap at the back, often about 5 cm, as per the manual.
- Wait the time in the table and switch it on.
- Let the fridge cool down empty for a few hours before adding food. Allow longer for the freezer.
What about the old fridge?
If the new home already has a fridge, the old one is electrical waste. In the Helsinki area households can take it to an HSY Sortti station free of charge, and a shop selling you a new appliance is obliged to accept your old equivalent one. If you want the old fridge gone on the same trip as the move, waste removal takes care of it: transport from €90, with no Sortti fee for electronics.
Frequently asked questions about moving a fridge
Can a fridge be transported lying down?
Upright is always best. If lying down can't be avoided, lay the fridge on its side, never on its back or face down, and let it stand upright before switching it on as the manual says, often at least 4 hours and after a long trip up to 24 hours.
How long should a fridge stand before switching it on?
About 2 hours if it was moved upright. If it has been on its side, at least 4 hours, and after a long trip up to 24 hours. Check the time for your model in the user manual.
Do I need to defrost the fridge before moving?
Yes. Empty the fridge and switch it off the evening before at the latest, so the freezer has time to defrost. Dry the inside and leave the door ajar so it doesn't start to smell.
How much does it cost to move a fridge?
As part of a move, the fridge travels with the rest of the load at the same hourly rate, €90/h for two movers and a truck. Moving just a fridge is a short job at the same rate, and you only pay for the hours used.
Will an American fridge fit through the door?
Often yes, once the doors and handles are removed and the fridge is taken through sideways. Measure the depth without handles and the width of the doorways in advance, and mention the fridge in your quote request so we bring a third mover.
Fridge, washing machine or the whole home
List heavy appliances, floors and the lift in your quote request. We'll book the right equipment and crew size.