Moving and Packing Tips
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Moving and Packing Tips
How to Pack Large Kitchen Appliances for Moving
- Published: Mar 15/2019
- Last update: Sep 29/2023
- 4min read
- Views: 1,091
When it comes to moving home, packing kitchen items is the hardest and most time-consuming part.
Table of Contents:
All those cups and bowls need to be packed individually. You can read all about it in our article about packing glass dishes. Here, however, the Fantastic Services team will focus on how to pack kitchen appliances.
Inspect carefully
Moving the kitchen appliances is a lot of work, not to mention that the process poses a risk of damage to your kitchen gadgets, resulting in more money spent on repair or replacement.
A professional man and van service will limit this chance to a minimum, especially if combined with packing service from experient movers. So, before we get to the packing, it’s a good idea to make a quick inspection of each appliance you own and decide whether it’s worth moving it in the first place. Consider the following:
What’s the general condition of the appliance?
Most kitchen appliances are guaranteed to work for at least 10 years, some even more. If the appliance is brand new, it makes sense to pack and move it to the new home. If it’s old or if it needs a repair, no need to make your load heavier than it already is.
Do you consider buying a new one anyway?
Depending on your plans for the new place, you may intend to get a new appliance. Then, naturally, there’s no need to bring the old one.
Is the new place already equipped with kitchen appliances?
If you’re moving to a place, equipped with everything you need in the kitchen, an additional large appliance will only be a bother. Not to mention that is heavy when loading and unloading.
Will the appliance fit the new decor perfectly?
Sometimes, an appliance has the perfect place in the Universe and you just happen to stumble upon it in your new kitchen. If your appliance fits this description, there’s no way you can leave it.
After your inspection, you can decide which appliance is worth taking and which one should stay behind. You can simply leave it there and let the next owners or renters do whatever they wish with it. Or you can donate it to a family member or a friend. Another option is also to call a recycling centre for household appliances to come and pick them up.
Prepare the kitchen for the move
You’re going to need a friend or two to help with packing and moving the kitchen appliances, so don’t forget to treat them once you’re done. Before you get to the packing, make sure you’ve done the following:
- Move everything out of the way. Measure your biggest appliance and make sure there is an unobstructed path at least as wide and as high as the appliance from your kitchen to the moving van. This way, you’ll protect the rest of your possessions, the property and the appliance itself from any damage.
- Get packing supplies. You’ll need at least a few rolls of packing tape, as well as lots and lots of packing paper. Make sure to get at least one big roll of bubble wrap, as well as soft-moving blankets. Since most appliances are heavy, you will need a dolly and straps to lift the appliance on the dolly.
- Make a cardboard path. In order to protect the floor from the wheels of the dolly, make a path out of cardboard and make sure to stick to it, while moving.
If your path includes going down or up to a staircase, the Fantastic Services team recommends not to risk moving the kitchen appliances by yourself, but to call professional movers instead.
Packing kitchen appliances is not as easy as it seems. We have experienced packers who can give you a hand! Learn more about out services and prices!
How to pack a refrigerator
The refrigerator is probably the largest and heaviest appliance in your kitchen, so it requires most of your attention. The first thing to consider is taking care of the food in the fridge.
- Empty. The refrigerator needs to be unplugged at least 48 hours prior to the move, so it has the chance to defrost completely. Plan your meals for the last two days without relying on them. Once the inside is empty of food and ice, wipe it with a soft cloth to remove any moisture.
- Removable. Parts such as egg compartments, racks and dividers should be taken out and packed individually. Wrap them with packing paper and place them in a single cardboard box. Label it “Fridge parts”.So, you don’t have to wonder where they are once you arrive at the new place.
- Seal tightly. Use packing tape to seal all doors, so they don’t open during transportation and thus, risk damaging your appliance. While you’re at it, tape the power cord to the back of the fridge as well, so no one trips on it.
- Protect from scratches. Wrap the entire fridge with soft moving blankets, leaving no patch of it exposed. This will protect it from scratches on the way to the new place. Secure the blankets with lots of packing tape, so they stay put.
- Lift on a dolly. A refrigerator can be up to 420 pounds in weight. In order to lift it on a dolly, you’ll need at least three helpers. Use straps and working gloves. Don’t tilt the fridge to any side and always keep it upright. Have at least two people keeping it steady while you push the dolly towards the moving van.
Once the refrigerator is in your new kitchen, leave it unplugged for 3 hours. If any oil has escaped the compressor during transportation, it would flow back to its place.
How to pack a washing machine for moving
The washing machine is a lot more resilient to transportation than a refrigerator, however, it has its own subtleties. Follow the guide below to keep the moving process under control.
- Disconnect. First, unplug the washing machine and turn off the water supply. Next, you have to disengage and drain all water hoses. There shouldn’t be any residual water left inside the appliance. Additionally, you may dry the interior with a soft cloth.
- Clean the filter. Many prefer to clean the filter before the move. That way, you will save time when you want to use the appliance at the new place. To find exactly how it’s done, check out our post on how to clean a smelly washing machine.
- Keep the drum steady. The trickiest part of moving a washing machine is keeping the drum immobile during transportation. Otherwise, you risk damaging it. For that, you can use a couple of specialised transportation rods. If you don’t know how to use them, consult with a shopping assistant at the appliance store or call your local handyman for assistance.
- Protect from scratches. First, tape the power cord and any other loose hose to the back of the washing machine. Then, shut the door. You don’t need packing tape to secure it like with the refrigerator, as the seal is tight enough. Finally, wrap the washing machine in moving blankets and secure them with packing tape.
- Lift on a dolly. The average washing machine is usually about 300 pounds in weight. It’s lighter than a refrigerator, but it still needs at least three other persons to help you lift it on a dolly. Don’t forget to use moving straps and working gloves. Keep it steady while wheeling towards the moving van.
Don’t forget to remove the transportation rods before using the machine again.
How to pack an oven when moving
The other heavy appliance in the kitchen you should be very careful with is your oven. Many people tend to book an oven cleaning service before a move so they would have a sparkling clean cooker ready for use at the new place.
If you own a gas cooker, the Fantastic Services team recommends calling a technician, in order to disconnect the gas line. Otherwise, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you are risking your safety.
- Disconnect cord. Remove the plug from the power socket. It might be dangerous having it dangling freely. Tape the power cord at the back of the stove, so it’s not in the way and no one trips on it.
- Remove removable. Cooking stoves come with removable parts. So, take out each one of them and pack them separately. Wrap them with bubble wrap and seal them with packing tape. Place all of the parts in a single cardboard box and label it “Oven parts”. This way, you’ll save time locating them after the move.
- Protect from scratches. Use bubble wrap on the oven knobs and any other protruding parts. They are at high risk of damage during transportation. Then, wrap the oven with moving blankets from all sides and secure it with packing tape.
- Lift on a dolly. A stove is lighter than a refrigerator, however, the average cooker still weighs around 130 pounds. Have a friend help you with the heavy lifting. Use straps and working gloves, until the appliance is secured on the dolly. Then carefully wheel it to the moving van.
- Re-connect. Placing the cooker in the new kitchen will be just as easy as taking it out of the old one. But if you own a gas cooker/oven, you need a technician to reconnect the gas line once again.
If your oven is built in your kitchen unit, moving it involves a professional touch. Call in your local handyman and ask for help before the move.
In need of professional packers?
Book your appointment online!
Moving houses don’t need to be impossibly complex or headache-inducing. Once you know how to pack properly each and every item, half of the work is done. And if you don’t have the time to learn or you simply don’t want to, you can always rely on packing professionals.
Image source: Anna Andersson Fotografi/shutterstock.com
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If you have any personal experience with packing appliances, you can share it in the comments.
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