Plug in fridge after moving on its side

[sarahperdue]

Hi Y'all,

How long to I need to wait to plug in a dorm size refrigerator after moving? I moved it earlier this afternoon. The move across the house was less than 10 minutes most of those minutes. The other involved me trying and eventually succeeding getting it up on the counter where I want it. Both lifts involved turning it briefly on its back, and it got shaken pretty well the time it slipped out of my hand and dropped five or six inches to the floor. This probably way more information than you need.

Thank you,
Sarah

 

[gizmo]

I'm no authority, so if someone else says otherwise then follow their advice - but I have heard leave it for 24 hours.

 

[sarahperdue]

That's what I've heard too

I was hoping someone here would say it didn't need to be off for that long. I've already plugged in, so I guess I'll see what happens. I would never take such a risk with a valuable fridge, especially not a vintage one.

Sarah

 

[mattl]

As I understand it, modern fridges are not prone to issues like vintage units are. For the little disturbance you had involved the fridge in, I'd wait 20 minutes or so.

 

[combo52]

Moving Refrigerators On Their Sides

If the ref has been unplugged at least an hour and the insides are at room temperature it does not hurt anything if it is plugged immediately when you set it back upright, [ or if it is new in a box for example ]

 

If you take a running ref unplug it and lay it down you may want to let it sit upright for maybe an hour before plugging it in, [ if you do plug it in immediately it is will not hurt anything but the compressor may not start for a while ]

 

John L.

 

[sarahperdue]

Thanks!

It was room temperature, and I let it sit several hours. It's working fine.
Sarah

 

[gizmo]

glad to hear it was OK.