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The integrated fridge freezer in this poxy cottage is about to die and if it does, we're goosed. Since there's a severe shortage of all kinds of appliances now we've ordered a standard under-counter fridge from Argos. We can always resell it later.
Can a petite woman and a man in very bad shape with severe muscle loss hope to get it out of the car and up 6 steps then into the kitchen? Or are we deluded? How much does a bog-standard fridge actually weigh in kgs?
It really depends on the brand from what I remember from my student job delivering fridges for Currys. Some of the Beko ones the longer armed drivers could basically carry under an arm/on a hip, most were an easy two person lift (not like bloody range cookers!).
I'd think the two of you should be able to manage without too much bother. Most normal width fridge freezers are an easy two person lift.
I manhandled a below counter freezer into an awkward gap solo a couple of months back with no issues. Had a bit of help getting it out of the box.
I'd potentially unbox it before doing the steps and wear some grippy/rigger/gardening gloves because sometimes the metalwork underneath is quite thin and digs in to soft hands.
Just looking at a couple of fridges online suggests around 25-30kg for a normal under counter fridge. I think from memory the safe lifting weight is around 25kg for a single person so it should be fine with 2 of you if you're careful (bending knees etc).
The size and shape make it awkward, so I would leave the packaging on until you get it inside (assuming you can fit it through the door) just in case one of you drops it!
For rough indicator - found a 31kg Beko at John Lewis - a bit more than a bag of cement. It's in the detailed specs.
An under-counter fridge is probably somewhere between 20-30kg, so not heavy for their size but not exactly lightweight. If you look up the manufacturer's website it should have weight as one of the specifications...
Can you not get it delivered? Most delivery people will ask where you want it, so you might avoid a bit of lugging.
If you do move it in a car, leave it for a few hours before switching on to allow the compressor oil to settle.
I’ve been able to lift every under counter fridge or freezer on my own and I’m not particularly strong. They are awkward rather than fundamentally heavy.
The integrated fridge freezer in this poxy cottage is about to die and if it does, we’re goosed. Since there’s a severe shortage of all kinds of appliances now we’ve ordered a standard under-counter fridge from Argos. We can always resell it later.
Can a petite woman and a man in very bad shape with severe muscle loss hope to get it out of the car and up 6 steps then into the kitchen? Or are we deluded? How much does a bog-standard fridge actually weigh in kgs?
I assume you have some health issues then, have you got family or friends you trust not to give you covid? Anyone close by on STW?
I helped my mate move his newly delivered full height fridge freezer, we were surprised how light it was.
You should be fine.
poly
Free MemberI’ve been able to lift every under counter fridge or freezer on my own and I’m not particularly strong. They are awkward rather than fundamentally heavy.
That. I'm 10st4 and have no upper body strength at all but can do it, but they are a PITA shape. Two of you should be fine.
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Have a read of Tony Hawks 'Round Ireland with a Fridge'. IIRC he spends some time confusing the salesman in Curry's by going in and trying to buy their lightest fridge
Where are you @globalti ? I think it’s Scotland somewhere?
good idea. If you're anywhere near Galasheils I could give you a hand
It shouldn't be too heavy, but possibly just awkward.
If you're struggling, get some gaffer tape and make/fasten some handles onto the box.
Don't rush, unless it's raining.
They weigh sod all. Can you put your arms around the petite woman and pick her up? If so, I'm sure you can do the same with a fridge that weighs half as much.
This is what I've done. Squat, tilt fridge, arms around it, stand up, walk.
Carrying it in the box between 2 of you is easy.
Thanks for the reassurance. Yes we are just about existing in a bungalow that stinks of mouse piss in Scotland while awaiting completion of our new house. I am deep into a breakdown and our situation has made us virtually sedentary hence the muscle loss. There's nobody to help us move the fridge.
You'll be fine. It's just a box of fresh air so between two of you it'll be a doddle. The only component with any weight in it is the compressor but that is just like a large melon. Most awkward bit is securing the cable so it doesn't fall down and trip you up.
Remove shelf's inside. Strap/ tape the door closed.
As others have said they normally are pretty light. Take what you can out of it but keep or put it back in the packaging and slide it as much as you can, get some extra card board and polythene for the steps and slide it up that on its back so it's alway got some weight supported to minimise lifting.
The heavy stuff is at the bottom end at the back.
Put it on a trolley and pull it. I did the same for our Miele washing machine. That’s more like a hundred kilos. I don’t carry heavy stuff. Unloading from a car with a flat boot should be ok for two if you.
What is the point of a bungalow if you have to go up six steps to get in to it?
The heavy stuff is at the bottom end at the back.
Yeh, the fridge itself is basically just a polystyrene box, so rather than the total weight, it's the center of gravity and awkward shape that might throw you off.
@globalti - If this is long term, have you considered getting a hand truck or cart that can climb stairs?
It could make it easier getting the fridge up the stairs and prove useful for other stuff down the road, along with some ratchet straps to tie it down?
My other half struggles with gripping larger objects like fridges or wardrobes where you have to push in from the sides. Using a sack truck or straps under larger items really helped a lot when I had a chest injury a few years back.
https://cpc.farnell.com/stanley/ft521/folding-stairclimber/dp/TL20841
https://www.sacktrucksdirect.co.uk/2-in-1-stair-climber-sack-truck-150kg-capacity/
Where in Scotland. It's been asked a few times I'm sure theres an stwer near who would help if needed
Should he was easy to move. Me and the missus carried our 6 foot tall fridge freezer out of the house and into the garage.
Less than a washing machine. More than a beko tumble dryer.
About the same as a small arm chair. It’s a one man lift if you are strong like ox.
Roughly similar in weight to a linen basket full of logs.
Deffo agree with those above - go buy a sack truck. Be patient and you’ll be ok between you I think.
Well it's part of my mental breakdown that I was catastrophising as always. It weighs 27 kilos so it was easy. Been lying awake since 2.00 listening to the old fridge droning away all night and wondering whether it or I will be the first to conk out under stress.
If its the fridge in your rental and its fitted don't stress. It's the landlords responsibility
If it goes kaput and he doesn't do anything buy one knock it off the rent.
Leave it in the box/packaging as you'll be able to 'walk' it/slide it up the steps.
Did this with the washing machine I bought on my own just as lockdown hit. Took the wife's "crossover", in shop - what have you got I can take now, picked the one that would fit properly under the counter. Bloke helped slide it in the car (high boot lip), but I had to slide it out myself at home, then walk it down a few steps then up a step before getting to the kitchen. The packaging makes it a little easier.