During a move, people have many questions about moving appliances, such as: Do you have to defrost a fridge before moving it? You, too, can avoid a messy, waterlogged disaster with a full moving plan and professional moving logistics. This guide helps anyone preparing for a move avoid that costly headache by outlining the best time to defrost and the critical steps needed for moving a fridge properly.
Do You Need to Defrost a Fridge Before Moving It?
When moving fridges, a general rule is that if your move is more than a 30-minute drive away, go ahead and defrost the fridge. It’s not difficult to do, and it will be one less thing to worry about on moving day. Defrost, empty out the refrigerator, and clean out components about 24 hours before your moving day.
Don’t let moving fridges add extra stress to your relocation. Keep reading to find out how you can prepare your unit so your belongings stay safe. After that, our professional moving crew is ready to handle this and your bulky items with care, so moving a fridge becomes a breeze.
| Actions | When to Do | Importance |
| Defrost and clean | 24 hours before moving day | Prevents melting ice from leaking, causing water damage and a mess during transit. |
| Remove parts | Before the move | Detachable shelves and drawers should be cleaned and wrapped separately to prevent internal damage. |
| Dry interior | Immediately after defrosting | Stops potential mold and mildew growth inside the refrigerator. |
| Wait to plug in | At least 120 minutes after placement in the new home | Allows the compressor oils and fluids to settle back into the reservoir, safeguarding the cooling system. |
Allocate 24 Hours for the Whole Defrosting Process
While most fridges take at least eight hours to defrost, it’s better to err on the side of caution and give it a full day to complete the process. If you don’t have enough time, you should still keep the refrigerator turned off and defrosted at least four hours before the move.
This minimum duration allows the internal fluids to stabilize, reducing the risk of damage to the evaporator when you let the fridge settle in its new location. Following these steps helps guarantee your refrigerator starts cooling efficiently and reliably in its new location.
Turn On the Fridge 2 Hours After Moving
When you arrive at your new home, it’s important not to plug the fridge right away. Allow the refrigerator to sit upright for at least 120 minutes after the move to let the compressor oils settle and drain back into the reservoir.
This prevents the oil from blocking the cooling system and causing immediate damage to the compressor. Wait for 24 hours if the refrigerator has been lying on its side before turning it on to guarantee maximum stability and longevity for your refrigerator.
How to Defrost a Fridge Before Your Moving Day
Proper preparation is the most critical step when moving appliances, and neglecting to defrost your refrigerator invites leaks and potential damage during transit. Here’s the must-know info about defrosting your refrigerator or freezer before moving.
1. Figure Out if You Have a Manual or an Automatic Defrost Fridge
The good news is that many modern refrigerators have automatic defrost controls, so there shouldn’t be much (if any) ice build-up. Meanwhile, some people have a manual defrost model to maximize energy efficiency. In such cases, follow your manufacturer’s manual for defrost instructions or simply turn off the fridge to defrost.
2. Take Food Out Before Defrosting
Before beginning the process, remove items, including frozen food, leftover meals, drinks, ingredients, bottles, and canned items, and plan to properly discard or put them in a cooler. This will help you avoid waterlogging the food and make the defrost process go a little quicker.
3. Don’t Scrape Off the Ice
Scraping the ice off the inside of your fridge can potentially damage the refrigerator, plus it’s a time-consuming and tedious task. Defrosting is much easier and effective.
4. Clean and Wrap the Internal Parts
To prevent damage during transit, remove detachable parts, like glass shelves, storage pans, and ice storage, then clean and securely wrap each part individually. After cleaning the interior and wiping down the exterior grille and any attached water filters, gently place the items back inside the unit or store them separately for the move.
5. Dry the Fridge Out
Defrosting isn’t the final step. Once the ice has melted, clean and dry the inside of the fridge. If you skip this step, mold could potentially grow inside.
How to Speed Up a Last-Minute Fridge Defrost
If you forgot to defrost the fridge and don’t have much time before the movers arrive, there are a few ways to help speed up the process.
- Put a pan of boiling hot water inside and shut the fridge door. You may want to put a towel down first to protect the shelf from the heat. Replace the hot water every 10 minutes.
- Use a hair dryer to melt the ice. Just be careful not to touch the hair dryer to the ice or melted water.
- If the temperature is warm inside the house, using a fan to circulate the air inside the appliance can help.
If the refrigerator is the last item placed onto the truck, you may have enough time to defrost on moving day if you start the process first thing in the morning.
How to Move a Fridge That Hasn’t Been Defrosted
So you’re making a short-distance local move and really don’t want to go through the hassle of clearing out the refrigerator for a defrost session. Refrigerators are one of the scariest things to move, whether or not you defrost. Here’s what you can do to make a frosty refrigerator move more easily.
- Pack the fridge up last to minimize the chances of ice melt along the way. Let your movers know that you want to wait as long as possible to load the fridge so they don’t accidentally unplug and move it at the start of the day.
- Keep everything in the freezer. This will help the temperature stay cold inside during the move. Put meats at the very bottom of the freezer to avoid contaminating other food in the event of thawing.
- Put towels down in case the ice starts to melt. The towels should be inside the freezer and underneath it on the moving truck.
- Load the refrigerator at the very front of the moving truck. Doing so will make it easy to get the fridge unloaded quickly when you reach your new home.
- Seal up the fridge tightly. The last thing you want is for the fridge door to come open in the middle of transit.
Why Do You Need to Defrost a Fridge Before a Move?
Defrosting your fridge before a move is a preparatory step that saves you time, money, and stress on moving day. Keeping the refrigerator properly defrosted and packed guarantees its safety, so you won’t end up with a damaged item and the need to buy a new fridge. Completing this simple task can benefit your move.
- Prevent water damage: Undefrosted melted ice water can gush out during transit or when the fridge is tilted. This can lead to a slippery hazard, as well as damaged boxes and other electronics.
- Protect the refrigerator: Removing the heavily iced layer makes the refrigerator as light and stable as possible. This also safeguards the cooling elements.
- Promote health and hygiene: Get rid of questionable frozen goods and leftovers. This makes your fridge ready for new stocks and a fresh start.
- Make your move easier: Defrosting guarantees a smooth move, maximizing safety for your belongings. This gives you a stress-free experience in your new home.
Our movers expertly handle the transport of your defrosted fridge and other household items. We prioritize safety and efficiency, delivering a smooth and successful move from start to finish.
Related Questions
Do You Need to Have a Fridge Defrosted Before Pickup?
Deciding whether to defrost your fridge before moving depends on the distance. If ice has built up over time on the inside of the freezer, it will start to thaw shortly after being put onto the moving truck. Once it does melt, the water will leak out and cause a mess.
Do You Have to Defrost a Mini Fridge Before Moving It?
It’s ideal to defrost a mini refrigerator before moving it to prevent melting ice from leaking during transport. Once defrosted, clean and dry the interior and shelves before you store it or position it onto the truck.
What Happens if You Don’t Defrost Your Refrigerator?
Undefrosted ice will melt during the move, potentially soaking the floor of the moving truck and any boxes placed near the refrigerator. This can lead to water damage to your belongings, making a stressful situation much worse.
Can You Move a Fridge With Food in It?
You should remove food from your fridge before the move. It’s best to create a detailed plan to safely store perishables in a cooler with ice packs for short-term transport. Keeping food in the refrigerator adds unnecessary weight and risks spills or spoilage.
Can You Lay a Fridge Down to Transport It?
Most moving professionals transport fridges upright to safeguard the compressor from oil or fluid damage. When it’s unavoidable, you must first drain it, wrap and secure it, and keep it on its side only for the shortest time possible. Should you need to lay the refrigerator down, make sure it is on its side, not the front or back.
Conclusion
Knowing how to properly secure your refrigerator saves you from costly repairs, water damage, and unnecessary headaches when moving fridges to your new location. Follow these tips and have our expert movers handle the heavy lifting. Our professional moving crew has handled just about every type of fridge there is, whether they’ve been defrosted or not.