Transporting a Refrigerator or Freezer on its Back or Side?

When a refrigerator is horizontal, the oil from the compressor will start to move out and into the coolant lines, clogging them. If you absolutely cannot avoid moving a fridge lying down, then it’s possible to try and minimize oil leakage by placing the refrigerator on a side so that the compressor tube is facing upwards – in other words, if the compressor lines run out of its right side, lay the fridge on its left.

Besides this, placing a refrigerator flat on its back is a major no-no: the weight of the fridge can damage its internal parts, even if they’re not exposed.

You should make every effort to keep the freezer in an upright position....If necessary you can lean it a bit say 45°, but it is good practice to let the unit sit for 24 hrs after moving...Always check fan operation after start-up...also a good idea to tilt the unit back and clean the condenser coil and fan assembly and any drain pan when moving....should be fine...check temperature after running for 24 hrs, freezer should be -20° F....

No, normal temp is 0 F:

https://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_typical_temperature_of_a_household_freezer

Yes I would agree for a ref/freezer combo, but for a stand alone deep freezer I like to see it about 20° colder....

My experience also. Moved 6 in the last 12 months, half of them combos, and half bin type freezers. All working fine on my farm, or at my son's house. Forgot to wait before plugging in all of them.

Ditto !!!

having worked in the kitchen installation trade, we would always wait over night before plugging in, probably overkill but better that than cause damage, I've never had any fridge/freezer damaged in 20 years.

Thanks for the replies.

In transport now.

100% perfect.

No sign of previous use.

Temp dropping rapidly.

When delivering refrigerators or freezers we were always told to move them in the upright position because the suspension units of the hermetically sealed compressor could be displaced and the internal pipes damaged.

From my knowledge the compressors are mounted on springs and when laid down a sudden jolt could make the spring displace from its holders and crack the pipes to the head, where as in the vertical position the suspension and piping is designed for vertical movement.