Location Transport

in transporting a refrigerator recently I was told to transport it in an upright position. Why?

If the refrigerator is laid on it's side during transport what ill effect could this have on the refrigerator and why?

Public Comments

1. I'm no appliance guru but I'm guessing there are liquids inside the coils and stuff and putting it on its' side would cause them to leak.
2. I am not sure of the exact reasons, but i know that it has to do with the gas in the back of the fridge. It is better to stand it up. If you have no choice but to lay it down, then once you have moved it and it is in the upright position, you must leave it turned off for a few hours to let the gas settle. I think it can ruin your fridge otherwise.
3. The compressor is full of oil as well as freon. If you turn the fridge on its side there's a chance that when you turn it back on there won't be enough oil in it to keep it from burning itself out.
4. If at all possible I would transport it in an upright position..It's the way manufacturers transport..Also I think it shouldn't be plugged in for a day or two, after you have it in position. That will give the coolant liquid, and anything in the fluid to settle.
5. if you lay the fridge on its side the freon liquid that is in the compressor will pool up on the pistion and will lock it up and because it won't have room to rotate it will burn it up. if layed on its side you need to let it stand for at least 3 days for liquid to drain from pistion.
6. If you don't keep it upright during transportation then you have to let it stand for 24 hours afterwards as it needs to settle. If you don't it will burn itself out!
7. refrigerators are constructed with the strength to be upright. if you lay one its side you may dent it and make it get out of 'square'. also the mechanical components are not contained to protect them when they are on their side
8. The compressor on the refrigerator has oil in the crankcase, when turn on its side the oil leaves the crankcase and enters the lines. On startup the compressor will overheat and possibly lockup. There are temperature safety's to help prevent this but it still is possible. If you have to lay the fridge down leave it upright for a few days to let the oil migrate back. It should be fine, and yes the refrigerator has refrigerant in it not freon. Freon is a brand name of refrigerant manufactured by dupont.
9. There is oil in the compressor, if you move a fridge on its side, you can get oil in the high or low pressure side of the system. If it is NECESSARY to move while horizontal, it is best to lay it on its back, assumign you dont have a static condensor coil up the outside back wall. GOOD TIP: leave a fridge unplugged for 24 hours after moving before plugging in and then turning on.