Considerations when Packing Appliances

Appliances are some of the most expensive products in our house. Yet when we move, many people simply abandon the large ones and throw away smaller ones. It seems easier to replace them, faster to find new models and have them delivered than to move your old things. Today, we’re here to tell you that’s not true. You should definitely take your appliances with you. However, we’ll be citing some potential issues in doing so.

Refrigerators

People’s biggest concern when shipping refrigerators probably is mold, but they are mistaken. No, the possibility of fridges developing a leak or otherwise having a coolant issue is a much larger problem than mold. If you decide to move your refrigerator, you should do the following:

Turn the refrigerator off at least 72 hours prior to moving. Though this was, at one point, because the coolant was dangerous to move while still in the lines, that is no longer the case. No, this is to help preserve the lines. Cold lines do not bend, flex, or otherwise move well. The fridge will deal with a lot of jostling. It’s better to have flexible inside lines.

Remove all food products from the refrigerator and open the doors to let it thaw. Once the refrigerator has reached room temperature, clean it and let it air dry. Remove all moisture regularly prior to packing.

These tips are not meant to replace manufacturer information.

Ovens and Stoves

Cooking surfaces are often greasy to a fault. Even well-maintained ones tend to accrue a certain amount of oil after any period of use. In the strictest terms, this means that they’re very, very flammable. This doesn’t account for the many different requirements for moving electric and gas stoves. Though it’s possible to move them, we recommend contacting your moving company for further consultation. The age and type of appliance are very important, and we cannot provide further recommendation without knowing more.

Microwaves

Microwaves may retain electrical charges for a period of time after they are unplugged. To combat this, unplug all microwaves at least 48 hours prior to moving. This will help them discharge over time. We also recommend a good scrub-out of any microwaves to prevent mold-related issues. Most microwaves will be packed with the turntable, in glass-safe paper packaging, placed inside it. This makes it easy to find the parts to reassemble your microwave and adds protection to the sensitive glass turntable. If yours is not packed this way, you may consider requesting it.

Small Appliances

There is a very wide array of small appliances that may or may not call your house home. From electric mixers to salad shooters, these appliances are typically very small motors in very fine housings. This means that, while they perform indelicate tasks all the time, they are rather delicate pieces of equipment. A handheld electric mixer can break just from putting it on the countertop too hard, after all.

We recommend packing these items as you would plates and other fragile goods. Plenty of cushion means that they should arrive intact.

Outside the Kitchen

Non-electronic appliances such as beard trimmers, electric toothbrushes, and other such things may be packed as anything else is. We recommend placing their chargers in other boxes, just in case any electrical current remains in them. Though it is rare, it can put the shipment at stake if a charger discharges during the move. If they must be packed together, consider putting a piece of tape over the charging port area. This will help keep your shipment safe and sound while it is on the road.

This post is promoted by lawrencemoves.com. Our moving services help your appliances get off to a great start in their new home. Ask us about installation. We service multiple locations including residential moving in Winston-Salem, NC, Roanoke, VA, and High Point, NC.