How To Move Bulky Kitchen Appliances Safely: Your Expert Guide

Moving bulky kitchen appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers can be daunting. Can I move them myself, or should I hire professionals? While you can move them yourself with the right preparation and tools, hiring professionals is often the safest and easiest option, especially for large, heavy items. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and steps to move bulky kitchen equipment safely and efficiently, whether you’re doing it yourself or preparing for professional movers.

Image Source: www.neathousesweethome.com

Preparing Your Appliances for the Move

Before any appliance leaves its spot, thorough preparation is key. This prevents damage to the appliance, your home, and the people involved.

Safely Moving Refrigerators: Essential Steps

Refrigerators are the heaviest and most common bulky kitchen appliances to move. They contain delicate components and are prone to tipping.

Defrosting and Cleaning: This is crucial. Empty all food and drinks. For refrigerators and freezers, turn them off at the wall outlet and the internal thermostat if available. Leave the doors ajar to allow air circulation and prevent mold growth. Defrosting can take 24 hours or more, so plan ahead. Wipe down all interior surfaces with a mild cleaning solution and dry thoroughly.
Securing Doors and Cords: Use strong packing tape or specialized appliance straps to secure the refrigerator doors shut. Avoid taping directly onto the appliance’s finish if possible; use painter’s tape on the doors before applying packing tape. Wrap the power cord and secure it neatly to the back of the unit using tape or a bungee cord.
Protecting the Exterior: Wrap the entire appliance in moving blankets or thick cardboard. Pay special attention to corners and edges. Use shrink wrap or tape to hold the blankets in place. This protects against scratches and dents during transit.
Removing Shelves and Drawers: If possible, remove all internal shelves, drawers, and ice bins. Pack them separately in a box with padding to prevent them from shifting and breaking during the move. Label the box clearly with the appliance name.

Moving Stoves and Ovens: A Detailed Approach

Whether it’s a freestanding range or a built-in oven, these appliances require careful handling.

Gas Stoves: Crucially, if you have a gas stove, you MUST turn off the gas supply valve. This is usually located behind the stove. If you are unsure how to do this safely, hire a professional plumber or gas technician. Disconnect the gas line from the appliance. Ensure the gas line is capped securely to prevent leaks.
Electric Stoves: Unplug the electric stove from the wall outlet. Make sure the cord is not strained and is secured to the back of the unit.
Cleaning: Clean the oven interior, stovetop, and exterior thoroughly. Remove any racks or shelves from inside the oven.
Securing Oven Doors and Drawers: Tape the oven door shut using strong packing tape. If your stove has a storage drawer at the bottom, empty it and secure the drawer shut.
Protection: Wrap the entire stove or oven unit in moving blankets or thick cardboard, securing it with tape or shrink wrap.

Dishwasher Moving Guide: Less Weight, Still Tricky

Dishwashers, while lighter than fridges or stoves, still involve water connections that need careful management.

Disconnecting Water and Power: Turn off the water supply valve for the dishwasher. This is often under the sink. Disconnect the water supply line from the dishwasher. Have a towel or bucket ready to catch any residual water. Unplug the dishwasher from its electrical outlet.
Draining Residual Water: Open the dishwasher door and tilt the unit slightly forward to drain any remaining water from the hoses and pump.
Securing the Door: Tape the dishwasher door shut to prevent it from swinging open.
Protection: Wrap the dishwasher in a moving blanket or cardboard for protection.

Moving Microwaves: Simpler, But Still Needs Care

Microwaves are generally the lightest, but their glass turntables and electronics need consideration.

Cleaning and Securing: Empty the microwave and clean the interior. Secure the door with tape. If you have a countertop microwave, remove it from its stand or mounting if applicable.
Protection: While often not requiring full blanket coverage, a layer of bubble wrap or a moving blanket can prevent scratches.

Moving Kitchen Cabinets: More About Tetris Than Weight

While not appliances, moving kitchen cabinets often happens in conjunction with appliance moves, especially during renovations or a full kitchen overhaul.

Empty and Clean: Ensure all cabinets are completely empty and clean.
Secure Doors and Drawers: Tape all cabinet doors and drawers shut securely.
Labeling: Label each cabinet with its location in the new kitchen (e.g., “Upper Left,” “Base Cabinet Under Sink”) to make reinstallation easier.
Stacking and Securing: If moving multiple cabinets, stack them carefully, placing heavier ones at the bottom. Use straps to secure stacked cabinets to prevent them from shifting. Consider using furniture pads between cabinets to prevent scratching.

Essential Tools for Appliance Moving

Having the right equipment makes a significant difference in safety and ease.

Appliance Dolly Rental: This is your most important tool. An appliance dolly, also known as a hand truck with straps, is designed to move heavy, bulky items. Look for one with a strap system to secure the appliance firmly to the dolly.
Moving Blankets/Furniture Pads: These protect your appliances from scratches and dents.
Heavy-Duty Packing Tape: For securing doors, cords, and moving blankets.
Shrink Wrap: Provides an extra layer of protection and helps hold blankets in place.
Gloves: Provide a better grip and protect your hands.
Furniture Straps/Moving Straps: Especially useful for securing appliances to dollies or for lifting with a partner.
Ramps: If you have stairs, appliance ramps can be invaluable. Some appliance dollies have built-in stair climbers or ramps.
Plywood Sheets: Can be used to protect floors from the weight and movement of appliances, especially on delicate flooring like hardwood.
Cardboard: For reinforcing protection or creating makeshift ramps over small thresholds.
Screwdrivers and Wrenches: For disconnecting and reconnecting any parts, like water lines or gas lines (if you are qualified).

The Step-by-Step Process of Moving Bulky Kitchen Appliances

Once your appliances are prepped and you have your tools, it’s time for the actual move.

Step 1: Clear the Path

Measure your appliances and doorways, hallways, and staircases. Ensure there’s enough clearance.
Remove any obstacles from the path: rugs, furniture, pets, children.
If moving across delicate flooring, lay down plywood sheets or thick blankets to protect it.

Step 2: Load the Appliance onto the Dolly

Position the Dolly: Slide the toe plate of the appliance dolly under the base of the appliance. For very heavy items, you might need to tilt the appliance slightly to get the dolly underneath.
Secure the Appliance: This is critical. Use the dolly’s straps to wrap around the appliance and the dolly’s frame. Tighten the straps securely. Ensure the appliance is balanced and cannot shift on the dolly. The goal is for the appliance to be firmly attached to the dolly.

Step 3: Moving the Appliance

Tilt and Balance: Gently tilt the dolly backward, balancing the weight of the appliance. Keep your back straight and lift with your legs, not your back.
Slow and Steady: Move slowly and deliberately. Watch for obstacles and uneven surfaces.
For Stairs: This is the most challenging part of moving heavy kitchen equipment.
- Use Stair Climbers: If your dolly has stair climbers, engage them.
- One Step at a Time: Move down or up one step at a time.
- Teamwork is Essential: Never attempt to move a heavy appliance up or down stairs alone. Ideally, you need at least two people, one controlling the dolly from the bottom and one guiding and stabilizing from the top.
- Communicate: Clear communication between movers is vital to avoid accidents.

Step 4: Transporting Large Appliances

In a Vehicle:
- Secure Properly: Use ratchet straps to secure the appliance to the walls or floor of the moving truck or van. Ensure it cannot tip or slide during transit.
- Placement: Place heavier appliances in the truck first, towards the front or sides, to maintain balance.
- Padding: Ensure adequate padding to prevent movement and damage.

Step 5: Unloading and Positioning

Reverse the Loading Process: Use the dolly to move the appliance to its new location.
Careful Placement: Gently guide the appliance into its final position.
Leveling: Most appliances have adjustable feet to ensure they sit level, which is important for proper operation.

Specific Considerations for Different Appliances

While the general process applies, some nuances exist.

Safely Moving Refrigerators: Reinstallation

Upright Transport: Always transport refrigerators upright if possible. If you must lay a refrigerator on its side, it’s crucial to let it stand upright for at least 24 hours before plugging it in. This allows the compressor oil to settle back into place. Failure to do so can damage the compressor.
Connecting: Once in place, reconnect water lines (if applicable) and plug it in.
Cooling Time: Allow several hours for the refrigerator to reach its optimal cooling temperature before restocking with food.

Moving Stoves and Ovens: Reconnecting

Electric Stoves: Plug back into the outlet.
Gas Stoves: This is where professional help is highly recommended. A qualified technician should reconnect the gas line to ensure there are no leaks. Turn the gas valve back on and check for leaks using soapy water (bubbles indicate a leak).
Leveling: Ensure the stove is level for proper oven temperature distribution and stovetop function.

Dishwasher Moving Guide: Reconnecting

Water Line: Reconnect the water supply line. Turn the water back on and check for leaks at the connection points.
Electrical: Plug the dishwasher back into the outlet.
Testing: Run a short rinse cycle to check for leaks and proper operation.

Moving Kitchen Cabinets: Reinstallation

Refer to Labels: Use your labels to place cabinets in their intended spots.
Securing: Secure cabinets to the wall using appropriate screws and wall anchors. Ensure they are plumb and level.
Doors and Hardware: Reattach doors and any decorative hardware.

When to Call the Professionals

Moving heavy kitchen equipment can be risky. Here’s when professional movers are your best bet:

Stairs: If you have multiple flights of stairs or very narrow staircases, professional movers have the specialized equipment and experience to handle them safely.
Appliance Weight: If an appliance is exceptionally heavy (e.g., a large commercial-style refrigerator), professional movers are better equipped.
Lack of Experience: If you’ve never moved large appliances before, hiring professionals can save you a lot of hassle and potential damage.
Health Concerns: If you have any back problems or physical limitations, it’s safer to delegate the task.
Valuable Appliances: If your appliances are very expensive or have delicate finishes, professional handling reduces the risk of damage.
Gas Connections: As mentioned, reconnecting gas lines should ideally be done by a qualified professional.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I protect my floors when moving heavy kitchen equipment?
A: Use thick moving blankets, cardboard sheets, or plywood to cover the path the appliance will travel.
Q: Can I lay a refrigerator on its side to move it?
A: It’s best to transport refrigerators upright. If you must lay it down, let it stand upright for at least 24 hours before plugging it in to allow internal fluids to settle.
Q: What is the best way to move a refrigerator down stairs?
A: Use a heavy-duty appliance dolly with stair climbers and at least two people. One person guides from the top, and the other controls the dolly from the bottom. Communicate constantly.
Q: Do I need a special dolly for moving appliances?
A: Yes, an appliance dolly with straps is essential. A standard hand truck may not be stable or strong enough. Consider appliance dolly rental for this specialized tool.
Q: How much clearance do I need for a refrigerator?
A: Measure your appliance and then measure all doorways, hallways, and stairwells it needs to pass through. Always allow a few inches of extra clearance.
Q: What if my appliance won’t fit through a doorway?
A: If measurement indicates a tight squeeze, you might need to consider removing the doors of the appliance (if possible) or the doors of your house to gain extra inches. This is often best left to professionals.
Q: How long does it take to defrost a refrigerator?
A: This depends on the refrigerator. It can take anywhere from 12 to 48 hours. Plan accordingly.
Q: Should I tape the doors of my stove shut?
A: Yes, use strong packing tape to secure the oven door and any storage drawers shut to prevent them from opening during the move.
Q: How do I disconnect a gas stove?
A: First, turn off the gas supply valve behind the stove. Then, carefully disconnect the gas line. If you are not comfortable or experienced with this, hire a plumber or gas technician. Ensure the line is capped safely.
Q: What are common mistakes when moving appliances?
A: Not defrosting the fridge, not securing doors, lifting with the back, not using the right dolly, and attempting to move heavy items alone are common mistakes.

Conclusion

Moving bulky kitchen appliances is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning, the right tools, and a commitment to safety. By following these expert tips for moving heavy kitchen equipment, you can ensure your appliances, your home, and most importantly, you and your helpers remain safe and sound throughout the process. Remember, when in doubt, especially with gas connections or challenging stairways, professional assistance is always a wise investment. Whether you’re relocating to a new home or simply rearranging your kitchen, this comprehensive guide aims to make moving large appliances as smooth as possible.