Tilting a Fridge?

[jluv]

Swapping the fridge in my rent house. My kitchen is closed in by a bar and the only walkway is too narrow to fit the fridge, even with the doors removed. It will need to be manhandled, turned horizontal, and passed up and over the bar. Same with the new one.

I've heard that it's possible to mess a fridge up laying it horizontal. Any truth to that? Is there a certain way that is or isn't safe?

Thanks in advance!

[beefed88]

just let it sit vertical for a while, I believe that ppl talk about the compressor oil screwing it up. should be no problem if you don't plug it in once you get to normal orientation.

[ceyko]

Back in the day we did what we had to get fridges loaded. Never had any returns. I've put mine fairly horizontal a couple of times for less then 5 minutes w/ no problems. I think the magic number is 30 minutes of being vertical again, although I really have no idea why. Just what we were told to tell people when I worked warehouse gigs.

[Baron Von Crowder]

I've heard the compressor oil moves out of the compressor, so you need to let it sit upright for a while to let it all settle back down, as stated above.

[STANGGT40]

I've heard the compressor oil moves out of the compressor, so you need to let it sit upright for a while to let it all settle back down, as stated above.

Exactly...if you go horizontal, just stand it back up and wait a while before plugging it in. I used to hear people say 24hrs, but that's going a little overboard, IMO. A couple of hours should be more than adequate...and if you're just tilting it for a short time, then 30mins should be more than enough time to let the oil settle back down into the compressor.

[bcoop]

Oil leaving the compressor is the issue. If it spends more than an hour on it's side, leave it upright for 24 hours before plugging in. That might be overboard, but for a high dollar item like a fridge, do you really want to take that chance? For what you are talking about, I'd just give it an hour or so before plugging in.