Guide
How to move a fridge freezer, and when to switch it back on
Move a fridge freezer upright if you can, then leave it standing unplugged before switching on: Hotpoint says at least 2 hours and Beko at least 4. If it travelled on its side, Hotpoint says at least 8 hours and Bosch at least 3, or 24 if it lay down for more than a day. Never lay one on its back.
How long should a fridge freezer stand before you switch it on?
Long enough for the compressor oil to settle back where it belongs, which is the reason Beko gives. Each maker sets its own time, and your manual comes first:
| Maker | Moved upright | Moved on its side |
|---|---|---|
| Hotpoint | At least 2 hours | At least 8 hours, or overnight |
| Beko | At least 4 hours | Not given separately |
| Bosch | Not given separately | At least 3 hours, or 24 hours if it lay down for more than a day |
If you do not have the manual and do not know how it travelled, leave it overnight. Waiting costs nothing, and it protects the compressor, which is what every one of these makers' times is for.
Once it is on, it still has to get cold. Hotpoint says to allow up to 12 hours, or overnight, before it is cold enough to store food safely, so keep a cool box for the first evening.
Can you lay a fridge freezer down to move it?
Upright is better, but on its side is allowed. Bosch says to keep a fridge or freezer upright where possible, but that it can travel on its side, with the process tubes, the pipes that carry the refrigerant, on the upper side so the oil stays in the compressor. Hotpoint also allows the side but says never the front or the back.
Bosch is clear about the back: do not transport or lay a fridge or freezer on its back, as it will likely damage parts even if the damage is not visible. In a van, stand it upright against the side wall and strap it there.
How do you get a fridge freezer ready to move?
Two days before:
- Run down the food so there is little to keep cold on the day.
- If it is not frost-free, defrost it; Hotpoint says this stops melting ice leaking during the move.
The night before or that morning:
- Empty it, and take out or tape down loose shelves and drawers.
- Wipe it dry inside, and leave the doors ajar for a while so it does not smell.
- Unplug it and tape the lead to the back.
- Close the doors and secure them with stretch tape or rope, as Hotpoint suggests.
- If it has a plumbed-in water or ice dispenser, the water pipe has to be turned off and disconnected too; check the manual.
Measure the fridge and the narrowest door, hallway and turn on the route at both ends, including the gap it is going into.
Who should carry it?
Two people for most tall fridge freezers, and more for an American-style model on stairs. Carry it upright on a sack truck or appliance trolley with straps, tilted back only as far as needed to roll it. Protect the sides and doors with blankets.
A van with a tail lift takes the lift out of loading, which matters most for a large double-door model. Ask the firm to keep it upright in the van and to strap it rather than wedge it between boxes.
Buying a second-hand fridge freezer?
A fridge bought on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree needs the same care as your own, with less control over how it was treated before you arrived. Ask the seller to switch it off and empty it the day before, and to defrost it if it is not frost-free, so it is not dripping in the van.
Check it works before you pay: it should have been cold when the seller switched it off. Bring blankets and straps, keep it upright on the journey, and then give it the full standing time from the maker's manual before plugging it in. Most makers publish their manuals online, so search the model number on the rating plate inside.
What does it cost to move a fridge freezer?
On its own, AnyVan listed a fridge freezer at £27 to £46 for a local move and £51 to £161 for a national one in June 2026. As part of a house or flat move it is one more item on the van, with a little extra time for the carry.
If the old one is being replaced, the shop selling the new one must offer to take back the old one free in store under the electrical waste rules on GOV.UK. It may charge to cover transport if it collects from your home, so ask when you order. Councils' bulky waste collections usually take fridges too, for a fee.
Common questions
How long after moving a fridge can I put food in it?
Wait for it to stand, then for it to cool. Hotpoint says to allow up to 12 hours, or overnight, after switching on before it is cold enough for food.
What happens if you switch a fridge on too soon after moving it?
The compressor may run before its oil has settled, which the makers' standing times are there to prevent. If it has been switched on early, unplug it and leave it standing for the full time in the manual.
Can you transport a fridge freezer lying down?
On its side, yes, with the process tubes uppermost, says Bosch. Never on its back: Bosch says that will likely damage parts even if nothing looks wrong.
Do I need to defrost a frost-free fridge freezer before moving?
No, but empty it, dry it and secure the shelves. Hotpoint says only models that are not frost-free need defrosting before a move.