How to Move a Refrigerator on Its Back

When moving out of a home, one of the biggest worries is how to move the largest items to your new home. The refrigerator is a particular challenge. Most fridge manufacturers recommend that a fridge should not be tilted onto its side or back. It is especially important to not move a fridge on its back because of possible damage to the condenser coils on the back of the unit. Moving the fridge on its side should provide you even more room to move the fridge through tight spaces.

Towel
Tape
Moving strap
Dolly

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the unit and open the doors. Allow any ice or water to melt. Sop up the water with a towel.
- 2
  Remove all the plastic trays and doors from the inside the unit.
- 3
  Roll up a towel and wedge it between the door and the cabinet of the fridge. This keeps the door slightly open during the move and prevents mildew.
- 4
  Tape or strap down the doors so they don't open further during moving.
- 5
  Look into the hole in the bottom-back of the fridge. Look for the largest hose coming up from the compressor unit. This is the vacuum line. You want to keep this hose on the "high" side of the fridge when the fridge is tilted.
- 6
  Slide a dolly on the opposite side of the fridge from the suction hose. Secure the fridge to the dolly with the dolly strap(s). Slowly tilt the fridge onto its side.
- 7
  Move the fridge to its new location and set it upright. Allow the fridge to rest for 24 hours before plugging it in. It will take around 72 hours for the unit to get to its coolest temperature.

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