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.
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). Do not plug the unit into the electrical receptacle without allowing this settling time. The appliance can be damaged if it is plugged in prematurely.
Potential Compressor Damage
Plugging it in too soon forces the compressor to work harder than it should, which can cause overheating or permanent damage. That kind of problem means costly repairs or buying a new compressor altogether.
How long should you leave a fridge freezer to settle? You should leave your fridge/fridge freezer to settle for at least 4 hours. Once 4 hours have passed, you can plug your appliance in.
When your fridge freezer has been transported, especially if it was moved or tilted, the internal compressor oil may have shifted. If you power it up too soon, that oil may not have returned to its correct place, which could impact performance, or worse, damage the appliance.
The type of refrigerator you have determines how long you should wait before plugging it in. A fridge with a standard compressor typically needs four hours before you plug it in. However, side-by-side or French door fridges that have dual evaporators or more zones may need 24 hours or more to settle.
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.
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. The ideal setting for the refrigerator is +4C and -18C for the freezer.
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.
Typical Whirlpool refrigerators take about 8 to 12 hours to reach operating temperatures and up to 24 hours to fully stabilize. As a rule of thumb, wait until the refrigerator is at or below 37°F and the freezer is at or below 0°F before adding a full load of groceries.
You can put food in your new fridge freezer after letting it settle for 4 hours if it was transported on its side or 1 hour if it was transported upright. After this amount of time you're absolutely fine and safe to put your food in your new fridge freezer.
The problem is that there is liquid refrigerant in the cooling system, and if it is at the suction inlet to the compressor, it will be sucked into the compressor (called “slugging”) and (most likely) destroy it.
Upon initial installation or when the settings on the temperature controls are changed, it usually takes 24 hours for an upright or chest freezer to reach the proper temperature.
Household Refrigerator Cooling Time
The average household refrigerator takes about 6-12 hours to cool fully because they are larger and typically have less formidable cooling systems. Brand-new household refrigerators take longer to cool: usually about 8-12 hours.
This allows the compressor oil and refrigerant to settle after transportation — preventing damage and ensuring optimal performance.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average lifespan of a standard refrigerator is between 10 and 18 years, with the median being about 12 years.
Let it stand
Fridges and freezers are full of fluid that's used to cool the compartments. In transit, your appliance gets shaken around, so it's best to let everything settle before you plug it in. If it was transported upright, give it at least an hour before you plug it in.
Freezers transported upright are typically ready to plug in right away, but if your freezer spent time on its side, you'll need to let it sit upright before turning it on. This gives the oil time to settle back into place. A general rule is to let it sit upright for 24 hours.
Non-profit organisation Love Food, Hate Waste recommends the 2:2:2 rule. Two hours to get them in the fridge. Two days to eat them once they're in there. Or freeze them for up to two months.
The most common issues with refrigerators include incorrect or inconsistent temperature, moisture inside the appliance, and water dispenser or ice maker problems. These issues might be resolved by adjusting the temperature settings, checking the door seal, or calling in a professional for help.
However, using a refrigerator in a cold garage presents unique challenges, particularly during the colder winter months. Refrigerators do not work as well in the cold as they were designed to work at room temperature. Most of the time, the freezer stops working before the fridge section does.
The reason is simple — during transport, the fridge oil and gas may shift, and if you rush to plug it in, the compressor can get damaged. ✅ Best tip: Leave your fridge standing upright for at least 4–6 hours (or even up to 24 hours if it was transported lying down) before plugging it.
The refrigerant used to make the appliance work has to settle before you can plug it in. Please wait 2 hours before you plug it in. If you plug it in straight away it is possible that damage may occur to your new appliance. The refrigerant used to make the appliance work has to settle before you can plug it in.
leftovers and homemade goods should be frozen as soon as possible. cool any warm dishes before putting them in your freezer. to cool food quickly, divide food into smaller portions in containers or freezer bags before putting in the freezer.
Within 2 hours of cooking food or after it is removed from an appliance keeping it warm, leftovers must be refrigerated. Throw away all perishable foods that have been left in room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is over 90° F, such as at an outdoor picnic during summer).