Storing Fridge - Unplug or Plug?

[Pettrix]

I got a fridge that will be going into a new house but it's not for a couple of months so the fridge is currently sitting in my garage unplugged with the doors open. Someone claimed that the fridge needs to be plugged in 24\7 or otherwise the compressor will fail prematurely.

I talked to a fridge company that said if the fridge is being stored for months with no use, you can leave it unplugged, and it will not cause an early compressor failure.

So which is true?

 

[ericm979]

I'd go with the fridge company.

 

[bdhsfz6]

These appliances can sit in a factory or warehouse for many months. It's hard to believe they could be damaged by being left unplugged.

 

[oldnslo]

Is this new unused fridge or one that was running and is now going to be sitting unused?

 

[garry1p]

Unclogged and doors cracked open.
I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night.

 

[not2old]

I had an old fridge laid on me years ago that I accepted as extra room when we have guests or as a spare. Over more than 15 years it was used two or three times with no problems. We gave it to a neighbour last year after the wildfire and it has worked fine after being unplugged for so long.

 

[Pettrix]

Is this new unused fridge or one that was running and is now going to be sitting unused?

Its a used fridge that will be sitting for a few months.

I did plug it in and run it for a weekend and then unplugged it and let it sit for 3-4 weeks.

 

[jaxs]

Someone claimed that the fridge needs to be plugged in 24\7 or otherwise the compressor will fail prematurely.

Ask this guy named Someone if he's kinfolk of They Said and I heard.
Those two have run around telling tales for years,this Someone sounds like a chip off the old block,I wouldn't believe a word he says. Better still have Someone come here and we can straighten him out.

 

[Yander]

Unclogged and doors cracked open.
I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night.

Seems you posted while drunk at the hotel bar

 

[Yander]

Just make sure while transporting you don't lay it down and it doesn't matter, unplugged or not.

 

[oldnslo]

Its a used fridge that will be sitting for a few months.

I did plug it in and run it for a weekend and then unplugged it and let it sit for 3-4 weeks.

The only concern with a used fridge is when you first unplug and let sit any accumulated ice or frost will thaw and could leak water onto the floor if there is excess ice accumulated on the coils.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Some states have laws requiring doors to be removed from unused refrigerators to prevent children from becoming trapped inside.

 

[old and tired]

Its a used fridge that will be sitting for a few months.

I did plug it in and run it for a weekend and then unplugged it and let it sit for 3-4 weeks.

That how our basement frig goes, used to be a weekend on, 2 to 3 weeks unplugged.

Now that same frig gets plugged in every Thanksgiving for 4 or 5 days and gets unplugged for another year.

That frig was was old and used when we got it 20 years ago, it's still working great!

 

[ponytug]

One other tip on moving fridges is let them sit for a couple of days after moving. It helps the oil and any debris drain down, and be less likely to plug the expansion valve on start up. (Ask me how I know...)

All the best,

Peter

 

[Pettrix]

Thanks for the replies! It seems an overwhelming majority agree that the fridge can be stored unplugged. Once it is moved into the new house, I will let it sit for a few days and then plug it in.

Even minisplit manufacturers say that a unit will have a longer lifespan if the unit doesn't have run 24/7. Periods of the unit sitting turned off is better for the units longevity.

 

[ultrarunner]

Main refrigerator conked out but there was a 1985 17cuft magic chef in the garage at least 20 years unplugged.

I turned it on and nothing… a mouse chewed through the cord…

Quick repair to the cord and for over a year not missed a beat…

 

[jaxs]

Main refrigerator conked out but there was a 1985 17cuft magic chef in the garage at least 20 years unplugged.

I turned it on and nothing… a mouse chewed through the cord…

Quick repair to the cord and for over a year not missed a beat…

So there's the answer. Had it been plugged in the wire would have curled his little tale on first bite and he wouldn't have made it all the way through.

Thanks for the replies! It seems an overwhelming majority agree that the fridge can be stored unplugged. Once it is moved into the new house, I will let it sit for a few days and then plug it in.

Even minisplit manufacturers say that a unit will have a longer lifespan if the unit doesn't have run 24/7. Periods of the unit sitting turned off is better for the units longevity.

That right there is profound insight. I've heard the same thing about tractors and cars. A neighbor rewarded himself with a 1969 Camaro when he made it home from Nam in one piece. Last time I saw it there was 30k miles on the clock and looks new.

 

[KennyG]

Some states have laws requiring doors to be removed from unused refrigerators to prevent children from becoming trapped inside.

Those laws may still be on the book but it's been a long time since I saw a refrigerator that had a latch as opposed to a magnetic seal.

 

[ultrarunner]

Doors removed or secured…

I’ve seen lots of duck-tape used…