How to Pack a Freezer for a Move

Get your freezer moved to your new home or storage with tips from the experts in residential moving at All My Sons Moving & Storage.

Hiring professional movers can be a great call, but if you’re looking to get some items moved by yourself then you might be wondering how to get that chest freezer, upright freezer, or portable freezer ready for a move.

Before you move big appliances like your freezer, you should make certain it can fit through any doorways it will need to pass through. Measure your freezer and the doorways and stairwells at both your old place and your new home to ensure the freezer can comfortable fit. Take measurements of the place you want to put the freezer, like in the kitchen or the garage, to make sure there is enough space for it to fit there.

Freezer won’t fit? Consider getting rid of it and investing in a smaller freezer rather than trying to move it.

Unfortunately, your frozen food will likely have to be used up or given away before you move. Most movers will not move perishable food, and moving perishable food is only recommended if your move is less than two hours away and you have a freezer waiting at your destination.

Take the weeks before your move to focus on using up your frozen food. If you need help coming up with recipes, you can try a zero-food-waste app or website like Supercook, My Fridge Food, or Recipe Radar.

About 24 to 48 hours before your move, your freezer should officially be empty. Get rid of any leftover food by donating unopened items, giving away opened items to family and friends, and finally discarding what cannot be used.

Once the freezer is empty, clean the shelves and make sure they are free of food particles.

Defrost and disconnect your freezer according to your owner’s manual. Toss ice outside or into the sink and dry the inside of your freezer with old towels.

If your freezer is going into storage for any length of time, it is very important that you ensure it is completely dry to discourage the growth of mold or mildew.

You can keep the surface of your freezer safe from dings and scratches by wrapping it in furniture pads. Once the furniture pads are taped in place, you can wrap some plastic wrap around the appliance for additional protection.

When the freezer is snug and detached from the wall, you can put it on an appliance dolly.

All My Sons Moving & Storage recommends moving a freezer with an appliance dolly and having at least one other person assisting you at all times. When rolling the freezer on an appliance dolly, you should take care not to tip the freezer more than 45 degrees. You should always transport your freezer in an upright position. Transporting a freezer on its back or its side can damage internal components.

While professional movers can get your freezer into its new position at your destination, it’s possible they will not be allowed to reconnect the freezer for liability reasons. Consult your owner’s manual to ensure you reconnect the freezer correctly. 

If your freezer is going into storage, you should store the freezer with the door slightly ajar to prevent the growth of mold or mildew.

With these simple steps to packing the freezer, you’ll be able to get your freezer into position in your kitchen or garage in no time. Stock up with frozen food during your post-move grocery trip and enjoy having your old familiar freezer at your new home.

Sounds like a lot of work? You can always leave the heavy lifting to All My Sons Moving & Storage for your residential or office move. Get white glove service and start your move with our online quote form.