When you first get a new refrigerator, you must let it settle, clean it, and allow it to reach the proper temperature before loading it with food. Key steps include allowing the unit to stand upright for 4–6 hours if it was tilted during transport, cleaning the interior, and ensuring it runs for 2–4 hours (ideally 24 hours) to stabilize to 37°F (fridge) and 0°F (freezer).
Step 1: Let It Settle
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. At Hotpoint our recommendation is to wait 2 hours before plugging in your new fridge freezer.
After plugging the refrigerator in, wait two to four hours and verify that the unit is cooling before putting food inside. Only add food to the freezer once the freezer temperature is below 0°F (-18°C).
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. If it was transported on its side, turn it the right way up and leave it for at least four hours.
To keep your fridge or freezer working properly, it's recommended to wait a few hours, at least 4-6 hours, before plugging it in after it's been moved. This allows the compressor oil, which lubricates the internal components, to settle back into place.
Many folks go by the 50-50 rule. If the appliance has reached 50 percent of its expected life and it costs more than 50 percent of the cost of new, buy a new one. Oven failures can start with underperformance. For example, a family favorite just doesn't come out like it used to.
After Transporting Your Refrigerator
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.
What extra features should I know about?
Once 4 hours have passed, you can plug your appliance in. When doing so, make sure that the thermostat control is set to on. Before placing food into the appliance, allow your fridge some time to cool down to temperatures safe for food storage. This may take up to 12 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.
After you have installed your refrigerator it will take 6 to 12 hours for the fridge-freezer's ice maker to produce ice. You should throw away the first three batches of ice cubes that the ice maker dispenses (approximately 30 cubes) to ensure that all the ice cubes you use are made from clean water.
But slow down for just a sec; after you plug in your refrigerator, you should wait two hours to make sure your fridge is cooling before you begin storing food in it. And it's okay if you want to store warm food in the refrigerator too. You just have to remember that condensation will form when hot and cold air mix.
Things You Should Not Do After Buying a New Fridge
Eat as much of the food as you can over the next week. Put it in coolers or store at friends or neighbors house. You could also put it in bags or small boxes and put them back in the refrigerator. This will make it easier to remove when the time comes.
The best fridge brands for reliability include GE Profile, Café, JennAir, and Maytag. These brands consistently perform well due to their advanced features, durability, and strong customer support.
For a bright, airy, and timeless feel, a white refrigerator is an excellent choice. For a bold, modern, and dramatic look, consider black or black stainless steel. If you want a professional-grade, versatile and enduring finish, stainless steel is a reliable choice.
LG refrigerators are known for their energy efficiency and features like InstaView Door-in-Door, while Samsung refrigerators excel in advanced technology and smart home integration. In the Samsung vs LG fridge debate, Samsung offers a more tech-savvy experience, while LG focuses on reliability and practicality.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Moving a Fridge
Avoid these common fridge-moving mistakes: Moving alone: Attempting to move a fridge by yourself is dangerous and can lead to personal injury or damage to the appliance. Always have at least one helper.
4 EASY WAYS TO MAINTAIN YOUR FRIDGE
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.
There are a variety of household cleaning products that you can use to help refresh your refrigerator, including dishwashing soap, warm water and a vinegar solution.
The 20 minute rule of cleaning is simple: clean for 20 focused minutes, then treat yourself to a 10-minute break. It's a guilt-free, feel-good way to tackle messes without burnout. The idea is rooted in motivation and reward, two essential ingredients for any busy homeowner.
Some cleaning tips recommend you clean your refrigerator with vinegar and/or lemon juice, but these solutions lack the surfactants needed to help penetrate and loosen sticky spills and gunky spots. Bleach should never be used inside your fridge, as lingering chemical residue could come into contact with your food.