If I'm feeling overcautious I'll put them on a timer delay for maybe an hour, but I doubt it. Knowing how to move the fridge without scratching the floor is a key aspect of any fridge move. 10. Now you know about these important tips, let's move on to knowing how long to wait to plug in a refrigerator. 1. 14.7K posts 25 January 2009 at 1:26PM. How long should you wait to plug in the refrigerator? Read on for an answer to “can you lay a fridge down on its back,” as well as our helpful refrigerator moving instructions and what you can do if there’s no way around moving a fridge on its side. So, before you get started unpacking, it's worth going through the simple steps in this guide. To my surprise, the manual for this fridge freezer states - 'Allow appliance to stand for 2hours after installation.' If the refrigerator was moved upright, there is no need to wait before plugging it in again. Always lay a refrigerator on … 0. However, if the refrigerator is laid on its side to move, a wait of 24 hours after the refrigerator is turned back upright is required to plug it in. If you’re lucky, your fridge will have wheels on it, meaning all you have to do is gently roll it out of its location. mikey72 Forumite. Once you get your fridge to its new location, wait a couple of hours before plugging it back in. Before plugging your fridge freezer in and turning it on for the first time, there are a few things you can do to extend its lifespan and get the most out of it. I was under the impression that they should be left for 24 hours but after reading online have found many people saying 4 hours. What Happens When You Lay a Fridge on its Side . I am aware that you are supposed to leave a fridge freezer to stand a while before switching on for the first time or after moving it etc. 25 January 2009 at 1:26PM. When a refrigerator is horizontal, the oil from the compressor will start to move out and into the coolant lines, clogging them. Let it stand The first thing to think about is how long … If your fridge doesn’t have wheels, you’ll need to be a little more careful. Wait before plugging in and adding food. Generally, if you’re going to be 100 percent sure that the oil has settled back down into the compressor, you should leave it for 24 hours. If for some reason you had to move the fridge while on its side, make sure to keep it upright for twice as long as it was on its side before you plug it back in. When deciding how long you leave a fridge or freezer to settle for once positioned, there are conflicting recommendations. We're moving in 3 weeks...both fridge and freezer will be laid down for the 5 minute trip, carried upstairs, plugged in and powered up straight off. Regarding how long to wait to plug in a refrigerator, each manufacturer has different recommendations.