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Guide

Transporting a fridge: lying down or upright?

The safest way to transport a fridge is upright, the way it stands in your kitchen. If it can't stand up in the vehicle, most manufacturers allow it to travel on its side — never on its back or on its door — and once it arrives you need to wait before switching it on: from a few hours up to a day, depending on the model and how it travelled. Below we explain where these rules come from and how to prepare a fridge for transport step by step.

Why fridges should travel upright

A fridge has a sealed cooling system inside: the compressor (the black "pot" at the bottom of the back), pipes and refrigerant. The compressor contains oil that lubricates it. When the fridge stands, the oil stays where it should. When it lies down, some of the oil can run into the cooling pipes.

If you switch the fridge on before the oil flows back, the compressor runs "dry" for the first minutes and the oil in the pipes can get in the way of the refrigerant. At best the fridge cools poorly for a while; at worst the compressor is damaged. That's why rule number one is: transport it upright, or tilt it as little as possible.

The second reason is simpler: a fridge is built to stand. The back panel with its pipes and condenser isn't designed to carry the weight of the whole appliance — and the door with its seal even less so.

When transporting a fridge lying down can be acceptable

In practice a fridge can't always travel upright. A tall fridge-freezer is often around 180–200 cm high, and a passenger van such as a Volkswagen Multivan doesn't have that much headroom. In our Multivan the load space is about 131 cm high, so only lower fridges fit upright. An under-counter fridge travels upright with no trouble; a tall one usually only tilted or on its side.

If lying down is unavoidable, follow these rules:

  • On its side, not on its back or door. Some manufacturers name a specific side (e.g. the side the compressor pipes come out on) — check the manual for your model or the manufacturer's website.
  • On a soft surface — a blanket, cardboard or a mat, so nothing presses into the casing.
  • Secured against sliding — with ratchet straps, not string. A fridge that slides around on bends is a risk to itself and the vehicle.
  • For as short a time as possible. If you can, stand it upright as soon as it's out of the vehicle, not an hour later in the kitchen.

Some fridges (especially newer, premium models) must not be transported lying down at all, according to the manufacturer. In that case the manual beats any advice from the internet — including this one.

How long to wait before switching on a fridge after transport

There's no single number for all models. The general rule: the longer and flatter the fridge lay, the longer you should wait for the oil to flow back into the compressor.

  • After upright transport, a few hours is usually enough — some manufacturers mention 1–4 hours.
  • After transport on its side, recommendations are more cautious — most often from a few hours up to 24 hours.
  • In winter, also give the fridge time to reach room temperature before switching it on.

Check the manual for your model — the manufacturer gives the recommended time there. If you don't have it, look it up on the manufacturer's website using the model number from the rating plate (usually inside the fridge compartment). When in doubt, wait longer: a few hours without a fridge is less trouble than a new compressor.

How to prepare a fridge for transport, step by step

The day before:

  1. Take out the food. Move frozen items to a cool bag or a friend's freezer.
  2. Unplug the fridge. If the freezer isn't frost-free, defrost it and put something underneath for the water.
  3. Clean the inside and dry it thoroughly. Moisture shut inside a dark fridge for hours quickly starts to smell.

Just before carrying it out:

  1. Take out glass shelves and drawers, or fix them in place — wrap them in a towel and pack them separately; they're the parts that break most often.
  2. Secure the door with painter's tape or a strap so it doesn't swing open while carrying. Ordinary packing tape can leave glue on the casing.
  3. Coil the cable and tape it to the back so it doesn't drag down the stairs.
  4. Wrap the fridge in a blanket or bubble wrap where it might get knocked — corners, door, handles.

On the road:

  1. Stand the fridge upright or — if necessary — on its side as the manual allows.
  2. Strap it to the vehicle's anchor points.
  3. Drive gently: no hard braking or sharp turns.

On arrival:

  1. Stand the fridge upright, level it with the feet and wait the recommended time.
  2. Switch it on empty and give it a few hours to cool before putting food back in.

Fridge transport — price and who can do it

You have three main options:

  • Delivery from the shop — with a new fridge, shops often offer delivery, sometimes with carrying in and taking away the old one. Check the terms when buying.
  • Your own car or a borrowed van — cheap, but you need a helper, straps and a vehicle the fridge fits in.
  • Transport with a driver — someone comes with the right vehicle and straps, and you don't have to organise anything.

The price depends on distance, floor, whether there's a lift and whether you need help carrying. With us you get the quote before the ride, based on a photo and the addresses. We charge from 80 PLN per hour of work plus 100 PLN per 100 km; at night the hourly rate is higher (from 100 PLN per hour). Carrying the fridge in is priced individually, depending on the floor and access.

The most common mistakes

  • Switching it on straight away — the most common reason a fridge "doesn't cool after the move".
  • Laying it on its back — the weight then rests on the pipes and condenser.
  • Not strapping it down — it slides when braking and gets dented.
  • Moving it with food inside — extra weight and a mess if something spills.
  • Carrying it by the door or handles — they tear off easily; hold the body.

Summary

A fridge is best transported upright. If that's impossible — on its side as the manual says, on a soft surface and strapped down. After transport, wait before switching it on: from a few hours to a day, depending on the model and how it travelled. The manufacturer's manual always comes first.

Don't want the hassle? Send us a photo of the fridge and the addresses — we'll quote the transport before the ride. Moving the rest of your things too? See small moves in Kraków.