How to Move a Freezer on Its Side

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Things You'll Need

  • Tape

  • Dolly

  • Blankets

Moving a freezer on its side requires taking some precautions to prevent damage.

When moving, or changing around the orientation of your kitchen, one of the heaviest and most difficult objects to move is the refrigerator or an upright freezer. The best way to move a fridge is to keep it upright, but this isn't always an option when moving a freezer in a moving truck, or up and down stairs. If you have to put a freezer on its side, there are a few precautions you must take to prevent damage to the unit.

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Step 1

Unplug the unit. Tie up the power cord with a rubber band and tape it to the side of the freezer where the hinges are. Tape the doors of the freezer closed.

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Step 2

Lay a dolly on its side. Lift one end of the freezer up and slide the dolly underneath. Tilt the freezer back and roll it with the dolly to its new location.

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Step 3

Slide the freezer off the dolly.

Step 4

Place blankets down on the floor on the unhinged side of the fridge.

Step 5

Tilt the freezer over onto the blankets, hinged side up.

Step 6

Set the freezer upright and let it rest for 24 hours before plugging it back in.

Tip

Lay a box under the top of the freezer to keep it from lying flat if possible. This prevents oil from the compressor from going into the cooling lines.

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