I might be putting my stuff in storage. If I stick my fridge in there and it sits awhile that going to ruin it? I know your not supposed to trun them on their side. But wondering if I can store them or if I should sell and replace.

No problem. Clean it well (lysol or bleach), make sure it's dry and stick a cpl boxes of baking power inside to help with the smell.

I stored one for 4 years - it fired up and runs perfectly

An old trick we used to use when I worked for a moving company was to do as said above but also fill a womens stocking with fresh ground coffee and tie it and let it hang from one of the racks. Your fridge will smell like fresh coffee vs the smell that will make you gag.

I'd say ...... how old is it now ?? how long you planing to store it ?? storage fee's add up !!

the price of a decent refridgerator isn't that much ,,,,,,,your call

Allow it to stand open and dry out completely before putting it in storage! Then if possible keep the doors cracked open!:thumbsup:

What,no is your refridgerator running wisecracks yet?:D

Most local laws require the doors removed when being stored or thrown out. Which would also solve your problem of trapping in odors.

The 'fridge at our lake place sits un-used 5 months of the year (d*mn MN winters!!).

Store it upright. Give it a thorough cleaning (as mentioned), and put an (opened ;)) box of Arm & Hammer in both the 'fridge & freezer sides. Trap a dishrag/towel in the doors (so it won't close/seal) and tuck it away.

When you finally get around to bringing it back to service, set the temp dials to the lowest/warmest settings and plug it in. Let it run and get the refridgerant & oil circulating - it'll probably make some strange noises. After an hour or so dial up (down?? colder?) the settings, wait a bit, then put food in and try and make ice. Keep an eye on it for the 1st few days - a good bet is a cheap "gadget aisle" thermometer in each side. Make sure it's cooling.

You can put it on its side for transporting, especially if it is going to sit for a while. There is oil in the compressor that 'might' get into one of the coolant lines if it is on its side or back. When it sits for a while the oil will drain back down. I would not worry about laying it down at all - have done that forever with old ones and new.

That's what I was thinking, paying more storage fees than it's worth.
Better off to sell it and buy another one later.

It doesn't hurt a refrigerator at all to lay it on it's side or back, assuming the condenser is not on the back (although I don't know why anyone would want to do that) you just need to let it set a few hours before plugging it back in so the oil will run back down into the compressor crankcase.

There is no reason to set the thermostat higher on re-start because it won't matter one bit.
Once the compressor has started and let run five minutes, the refrigerant oil will be up to normal operating temperature so cycling it off does nothing.
In fact letting it run longer is better than having it cycle off and on.

Now starting up a very cold compressor can cause it to slug oil, which is when the refrigerant that has migrated into the oil boils out vigorously and forces oil up through it's valves and causes the valves to break.

I would just clean it and leave the door open but if there is a chance that someone might come along and close the door OR a chance that a kid might climb inside, then I would remove the door.

It won't need anything inside with an open door.

That's what I was thinking, paying more storage fees than it's worth.
Better off to sell it and buy another one later.


I have alot of other stuff that may go into storage with it.

I have alot of other stuff that may go into storage with it.

Sell the fridge and use the funds to offset storage fees.

Around here people store them behind industrial buildings or anywhere in West Oakland. Stoplights, cul-de-sacs. I think that storage is free but theres no guarantee that a homeless guy wont make it into a home before you return.

I think if the fridge was more than 5 years old I would shake it and just get a new one when needed. Unless its one of those crazy subzero or whatever fridges that likely cost more than my engine will and its been flamed out and customized with a header beer tap or something. :D

I have alot of other stuff that may go into storage with it.
That should offset the storage cost then.
So many people put junk in one of the self storage places and wind up paying $5,000.00 to keep $500.00 worth of JUNK and wind up loosing it anyway when they get behind in the rent.

BTW, there is no "d" in "refrigerator" even though 83.4% of people do put one in the word. :D

That should offset the storage cost then.
So many people put junk in one of the self storage places and wind up paying $5,000.00 to keep $500.00 worth of JUNK and wind up loosing it anyway when they get behind in the rent.

BTW, there is no "d" in "refrigerator" even though 83.4% of people do put one in the word. :D

Good to know Dean,now I won't look like a jerk next time.:thumbsup:

BTW, there is no "d" in "refrigerator" even though 83.4% of people do put one in the word. :D

83.4% :D lol

If those numbers just popped into your head I highly suggest you play lotto, maybe Daily 3 if you have it there.

good stuff. Its the little things that really make me laugh and Dean...you have a lot of the little things. I swear man sometimes I just crack up because I am picturing you saying it dead pan serious. :thumbsup:

So many people put junk in one of the self storage places and wind up paying $5,000.00 to keep $500.00 worth of JUNK and wind up loosing it anyway when they get behind in the rent.
I've seen that happen to several of my friends. Parents die, or somebody moves to another town--and later they come back to "rescue" their stored stuff. They open the door of the storage unit and say "WHAT? I paid all that money to store THIS CRAP?"

I will say that if you have a decent refrigerator, you're probably better off storing it than to sell it and then have to buy a typical CHEAP-JUNK current-model 'fridge.

But then, I know people who still have their '57 IHC refrigerator; and they still work great. You think those are Energy-Star compliant?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/96/234540591_d6ed366755.jpg





And is there a "d" in 'Fridge?

If it has a ice maker and it will be stored in freezing temps, be sure there is NO water in the valve at the bottom of the unit or it will freeze and crack the valve.

The bad part is when you reanimate the fridge it will leak from a small crack only when the valve is energized. Very maddening to troubleshoot. AMHIK:mad:

Good to know Dean,now I won't look like a jerk next time.:thumbsup:

don't worry .............. just spell it reefer ;) we'll all know you didn't inhale l:)

Good to know Dean,now I won't look like a jerk next time. :thumbsup:


The next time? :D....bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha....:D

Trust me the fridges will be the cheapest stuff to go into storage. But if I have to rent the space for that stuff then might as well store them too. If they'll keep.