If it was on its side for more than a day, leave standing for 24 hours before running. If laying on its side just briefly to service, clean or adjust, just a few minutes of stand time will be enough."
It is generally not recommended to turn a chest freezer on its side, even for cleaning. Doing so can cause the compressor oil to flow into the cooling lines, which may lead to operational issues when the freezer is turned back upright.
Transporting a freezer or refrigerator on its side can be done, although it is not recommended. To do it, transport the freezer on its side, and stand it up when you get it home, but do not plug it in for at least a week.
Put all the food in a good cooler. Scrape away any frost or ice. Add a few drops of dish detergent to 250 ml of rubbing alcohol, and mix well. Wipe the inside surfaces with the rubbing alcohol mixture on a sponge or rag. Wipe again with dry towels. Put the food back in.
Yes , there is no problem with laying the refrigerator down horizontally for transport. You will need to remove or lock down the shelving and drawers so they don't fly around and break. I have seen refrigerators routinely come on on the semi truck with the layed down on the tops of standing boxes.
If it was on its side for more than a day, leave it standing upright for 24 hours before running the refrigerator. If laying on its side just briefly to service, clean or adjust, just a few minutes of stand time will be enough.
To clean behind the Refrigerator, the fridge will need to be pulled away from the wall. Be careful when moving the Refrigerator away from the wall. All types of floor coverings can be damaged, particularly vinyl.
Generally speaking, a freezer should keep itself relatively clean, so it should only need a deep clean once a year. Of course, if you experience a power cut or have any food spillages, your freezer will need a thorough cleaning earlier, so treat freezer cleaning on a case-by-case basis.
Remove paper and clean with vinegar and water. Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds or baking soda loosely in a large, shallow container in the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer. Place a cotton swab soaked with vanilla inside the refrigerator and freezer. Close door for 24 hours.
Ice building up in the fridge or freezer can be a serious problem as it can keep the temperature in the appliance too hot, which could potentially end up making your food go off or there could also be unpleasant and unwanted odours.
Do not install the freezer near an oven, radiator, or other heat source, nor in a location where the temperature will fall below 40°F or exceed 110°F. Allow at least 3" (7.5 cm) of air space at the top and on both sides of the freezer and 2" (2.5 cm) between the back of the freezer and the wall.
Once the unit is in the house you should: Leave the appliance to sit for 3 hours. Then plug it in and switch it on. It should then be left overnight to stabilize before putting any fresh food into it.
In areas where there is extreme heat, ensure the freezer will have adequate protection from the sun. Moderate climates are ideal for outdoor placement, although you will likely pay more in energy costs during the summer months and less in the winter.
If transporting it in an upright position is not possible, lay it down on the compressor side of the unit. Be careful to secure the door to prevent it from opening. Set it upright in its final location and allow the freezer to sit for the same amount of time that it was on its side (24 hours maximum).
Never clean a freezer while it is running or you could damage it.
If you've ever moved a fridge freezer, or even bought one brand new, you'll know that you are meant to give them time to settle once they've been put back down again. Waiting 24 hours before plugging in your fridge prevents compressor damage and ensures proper oil circulation.
Bleach. Using a bleach solution of one tablespoon bleach to one gallon of water can help kill odor-causing bacteria. After you've cleaned your refrigerator with soap or another cleaning product, apply bleach solution to all inside surfaces as a rinse.
There are several causes for bad smells coming from your freezer. Typically, the culprits are microbes – bacteria, yeasts and moulds. Although a freezer dramatically slows down the growth of most common spoilage microbes, some can still thrive if the temperature rises above -18°C (the recommended freezer temperature).
A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below, however, its quality may suffer.
Wipe the inside of the empty freezer with hot, soapy water, and wipe with clean water to rinse off the soap. Don't forget to wipe inside the freezer doors and any drawers that can't be removed. Dry everything with a clean towel. To sanitize, use a solution of 1 tablespoon of liquid bleach to 1 gallon of water.
On average, the life expectancy of a refrigerator-freezer or chest freezer is 16 years. Freezers typically last anywhere from 12 to 20 years. Along with gas and electric ranges, freezers tend to be the longest-lasting kitchen appliances. But that's not a guarantee!
If the compressor or the compressor start relay stops working, the freezer won't freeze. If you listen to the freezer for about 30 minutes but don't hear the familiar hum when it operations, it's possible the compressor is the problem. A certified refrigeration technician is required if the compressor fails.
Though not preferable, you can move your refrigerator laying on its side. Remember, your fridge needs to stand still for hours after the move. If transported on its side, this wait time goes up to twice the time that the appliance has laid on its side.
Other deodorizing items you can leave inside your refrigerator are a tray of fresh coffee grounds, a tray of activated charcoal or a pan of clean, unscented cat litter. If these prove ineffective, after you deep clean the fridge, leave the fridge empty and the door open overnight.
If you don't have the time or ability to move your fridge, grab a yardstick and slide it underneath to unearth any large items and dust bunnies. Then, attach a microfiber cloth or a tube sock to the yardstick, spray it with a multipurpose cleaner, and sweep it around several times to pick up any lingering messes.