How to Remove Covers From Refrigerators

Door Removal

• You may need to remove the refrigerator cover for several reasons. A key one is when you are storing a refrigerator unused in an out-of-the-way place, or discarding it. Many areas have a law mandating removal of the door to prevent children from playing in an abandoned fridge and suffocating when the door closes on them.
  Some refrigerators come with the ability to switch the sides that the door opens from, which makes it convenient when moving to a new location with a different kitchen layout, another reason for removing, and reattaching, the door.

Door Types

• All refrigerators, whether one-, two- or three-door, have the same basic hinge hardware at the top and bottom of the doors that open to the side. The third, or freezer door that pulls out has different hardware. A vertical two- or three-door refrigerator has hinges on both sides. The top hinge for most appliances also serves as the door access to water and electrical cords.

Preparation

• Most manuals have instructions on how to remove a particular model's door, but with the hardware being similar, it's not too difficult to walk through a process that covers almost everything you need to know. Unplug the refrigerator and unhook the water supply in the back before starting any work. The refrigerator should also be empty of all food and the door of all water and ice.

Lower Hinge

• Locate the bottom hinge down and under the refrigerator. You will probably have to tilt the appliance backwards or on its side to access the hinge. Some hinges have covers that screw on while others are just friction-attached and pop off when you slide a screwdriver under them and lift up. There will be two to four screws or bolt heads holding the hinge to the door. Remove these and set the appliance back upright.

Upper Hinge

• Locate the hinge at the top of the door and remove the cover. Look for any wiring from the main unit to to door. The wiring should be detachable at that point just by pulling on it. The water supply has a screw-on connector that attaches to a nipple. Back the screw connector off by turning it counterclockwise and pulling it away from the nipple. It is important that you have a helper brace the door while you unscrew the top hinge, otherwise the door may fall, damaging it. Pull the door away from the opening.

Third Door

• The sliding bottom door of a three-door system connects to the sides of the cabinet. Look along the corner where the door meets the side and several screws should be available. If not, they may be hidden behind a decorative panel. Examine the inside and outside of the corner carefully, looking for a thin seam that gives away the location. Slide a screwdriver underneath the seam and it should peel away, revealing the screws underneath. Once you remove them, the cover comes off.