Fridge Freezer Installation

[237SJ]

I`ve got a new fridge freezer arriving on Friday. The rule seems to be that you let the appliance sit for a while to allow the compressor oil to settle before plugging it in and switching it on. Trouble is, the appliance is in a closed in space and would need to be switched on at the wall before being put in place. I don't really want extension cables squashed in between the appliance and the wall. If the fridge is switched on at the wall but the thermostat is switched to 0, wouldn't that be the same as it being turned off?

[rowanwitch]

Having a separate switch in an accessible position for a socket behind the appliance is pretty much the norm nowadays. Might be worth considering

[Xeronema]

An alternative, depending on how your rings are set up, would be to isolate (flick off the breaker) the kitchen electricity ring main and then just run an extension lead in from another room into the kitchen to power your other appliances for 24 hours.

The cooker, if it's electric, will be on a separate ring, so you won't need to worry about that. Either way, it's worth checking. I've done it like that before, anyways.

I give this advice only because I have done the exact same thing myself in the past.

Or you could just let it sit near the place it is going to live for 24 hours and then move it in the place after 24 hours. Some movement won't make any difference.

[237SJ]

Thanks for the answers. I have now seen that you are not supposed to use extension cables for fridges. I did think about getting the electrics in the kitchen turned off but that's a bit of a faff. I think I might have another socket if I could find out from the manufacturer how long the power cable is. Think I might just get away with it. thanks again.

[Xeronema]

It's safe to leave it stood in the kitchen out of the way and then move it into place after the 24 hours. As long as you aren't tipping it on its side, it's alright to do that. You can then walk it in place and turn it on straight away. That's what I did with my last fridge. I kept the old one in place (it wasn't entirely broken) and then just walked the new one in its place and turned it on. It had been stood in the middle of my kitchen for a day prior to that.

[The Builder]

Hi 237. That thing about extension leads for fridges is twaddle.
What they are worried about is people using light duty ext. leads that may warm up in use.

Ext. leads should be 1.5mm flex cable. (Max. load around 20Amps.)
More than enough for a fridge.
It'll only be for a short time anyway. You'll be pushing it into position the day after. :o)

[237SJ]

Thanks for the further answers. The company who are delivering it are being paid to install it in situ. I don't want to have to pull it out again so that the power can be turned on and then have to try to push it back into a small space. Will have to see what pans out. Thanks again.

[bazwillrun]

In case you do need to move it easily again, you might want to consider putting those slider things under the feet of the appliance, makes it a doddle..
also, something i do is spray some polish or WD40 on the floor along the path where the feet will be moving into place...also makes it a doodle , although that will dry out and only help for a short while, maybe days at most...wipe away the excess