Upgrade Your Kitchen: Learn How to Install a New Refrigerator in Just a Few Easy Steps!

Getting a new refrigerator set up and filled with food is a bit more involved than it might initially seem, but it’s still a job you and a friend can handle in an afternoon. Today, AppliancePartsPros.com is walking you through the major steps of installing most modern refrigerators. Let’s get started!

Tools for the Job

If you’re planning to upgrade your kitchen and install a new refrigerator, it’s important to have the necessary items on hand for a safe and successful installation. Here are some essential tools you’ll need for an easy DIY refrigerator installation:

• An appropriately sized dolly or hand cart, as well as straps to secure the appliance
• Coolers with ice to store any food that might suffer for being out of the fridge for long
• Work gloves
• Packing or painter’s tape
• An appliance moving mat or flat piece of cardboard
• Measuring tape
• A level
• Adjustable wrench
• Potentially, a compatible water supply kit
• If your old or new refrigerator has an ice maker/dispenser, you should keep some old towels and a bucket handy.
• An assistant to help with lifting and spotting. Refrigerator installation is, at minimum, a two person job. Having more help handy won’t hurt!

By having these items ready, you can confidently tackle this project and enjoy your newly upgraded kitchen.

Part One: Out With The Old

If you haven’t removed your old refrigerator yet, you’ll need to do so before installing the new one. Here’s a quick guide on steps you’ll need to take to remove your old fridge:

First Step: Prepare your kitchen for getting rid of your old fridge

Before you do any heavy lifting or moving, you need to make sure your path is clear. Clean up the path you plan on taking from the spot where your old refrigerator is now to where you plan on stowing it for reuse or removal. Measure the width and height of your old refrigerator, and then do the same with any doorways or halls the refrigerator and dolly will have to pass through. Don’t pick a route through the house where the refrigerator could get stuck or damage walls, corners, or molding!

Once you know where your refrigerator is going, it’s time to lay down a large piece of cardboard or appliance mat. Place it in front of the appliance. This will protect your floors when you do the initial moving to get it out of its spot and up onto a dolly or cart.

Second Step: Prep your fridge for removal

Shut off the ice maker, if your refrigerator has one. Then, disconnect the appliance from power by unplugging it. At this point, you might want to move the refrigerator to give you more space to work at the back of the appliance. After, wind up the power cord and tape it to the back or side of the appliance with packing or masking tape – this will make your life a whole lot easier later.

Now, if your refrigerator has water hook ups for ice or water dispensing, you’ll want to disconnect those. Most refrigerators connect to your home’s water from the back, at the bottom, on one side. Water lines are usually secured to refrigerators with a single nut, so you’ll need your adjustable wrench. Take care when disconnecting the water line – water will almost certainly spill out.

Once the water is disconnected, you can empty your refrigerator. Remove everything – food, shelves, drawers, ice bucket, and water filter. Once everything is out, tape the doors down. This will eliminate the risk of a door swinging open while you’re moving the appliance.

Third Step: Get the old appliance out

Your final task is removal. With help from an assistant, move the old refrigerator to a dolly or handcart. Keep it upright! Especially if you plan on reusing, donating, or selling it. Ensure it’s secured before moving it any further, and have your assistant act as a spotter as you remove the appliance to ensure you avoid injury or damage to your home.

Have you decided what to do with the old ice box once it’s out? In most of the US, you won’t be able to just leave it curbside without incurring fines. Why not consider recycling? We’ve got a complete guide to appliance recycling and donation you can check out over on our blog!

Part Two: Installing A Refrigerator

Now that you’ve got the old refrigerator out, it’s time to bring the new one in!

Step One: Remeasure everything

Before you start moving your new refrigerator into the house, you’ll want to double check its dimensions. Refrigerators generally have standard sizing depending on their style, but within those sizes there’s a good deal of variance, and even a quarter inch can be the difference between a perfect fit and a giant appliance stuck in your kitchen door.

So, measure the height, width, and depth of your refrigerator. Once you have those numbers, measure the space the refrigerator is going to go in. There should be enough room that the refrigerator, once set up, will have at least 1 inch of space between itself and the back wall and ½ inch around all other sides. You’ll also want to make sure that no cabinets or walls are in the way so that the refrigerator doors can open freely.

Want to know more about finding the right refrigerator for your space? Have a look at our refrigerator sizing guide!

Step Two: Get your new fridge into place

Just like when you removed the old refrigerator, you’ll want to ensure your new fridge is completely empty of shelves and drawers, with all doors taped shut and the power cord out of the way. Don’t move on until everything is secure!

With a helper, load the new refrigerator onto your dolly or hand cart. Do your best to keep it as upright as possible as you do this. Tilting it to a slight angle isn’t bad, but do not lay the appliance on its side. This can cause issues with the compressor and refrigerant.

Once it’s on your dolly, fasten it into place, then have your helper guide you through your home to the kitchen, and unload it from the dolly into its spot. Don’t do any heavy lifting without help! You could seriously injure yourself.

If at any point your refrigerator was placed on its side, you’ll want to let it sit for at least 24 hours before moving on to the next step.

Step Three: Hooking up the water

If your refrigerator doesn’t have an ice maker or water dispenser, you can skip this step!

To begin the installation process, make sure to turn off the main water supply to your kitchen. This can usually be done using a valve located beneath your kitchen sink, regardless of the make or model of your fridge. The specific steps for installation will vary based on the brand and model of your refrigerator as well as the space you have available, so it’s important to refer to your manual for instructions. If you prefer a visual guide, check out our how-to videos on YouTube!

Once the refrigerator is connected to the main water supply, you’ll want to flush the fridge’s water lines to clear out any lingering dust from manufacturing and storage. To do this, you’ll want to hook all lines up to the water inlet valve at the bottom of the refrigerator, then point the open side of the water lines into a bucket or basin. Turn the water supply line on long enough to flush the tubing until the water coming out runs clear, then turn the water supply back off as you finish installing the lines.

As you install, note that water lines should have some slack. They can be looped around themselves, but should not be kinked or bent at hard angles.

Step Four: Plug in and position

The water is hooked up, but we aren’t done yet! At this point, gauge how long it’s been since you first set your refrigerator up. Has it been at least twelve hours? If not, let your refrigerator sit, unplugged, for twelve to twenty-four hours so that it can settle, especially if it was laid on its side during transport.

After your refrigerator has settled, you can plug it in and move it into its final spot, if you haven’t already. Make sure the power cord and water lines aren’t pinched when doing this!

Your refrigerator will take a few more hours to come to a temperature appropriate for storing food, so take this time to ensure everything is level. Place your level on the top of the refrigerator to check the entire appliance. If it’s uneven, you’ll need to adjust the leveling feet at the bottom of the appliance. How this is done will depend on the make and model of your refrigerator, so consult your manual for instructions – you will likely need an adjustable wrench to do it.

You may also be able to level the door(s), so check those, too. Their heights are usually adjusted at the hinges.

Step Five: Loading it up!

With your refrigerator level and receiving power, it’s time to start assembling the interior. Install the shelves and bins, and allow the refrigerator to come to an adequate temperature – a minimum of 0°F (-18°C) in the freezer and, ideally, between 35° and 37°F in the fresh food compartment.

Your Refrigerator Install Questions Answered

What size/style of refrigerator should I buy?

That depends on a number of factors, from your family’s food needs to the features you simply can’t live without. Need some help making the right choice? Have a look at our full refrigerator buying guide!

Can I lay my refrigerator on its side?

To avoid issues with the cooling system or damage to the appliance’s internal parts, refrigerators should not be laid on their sides if at all possible. If this is unavoidable, the refrigerator should not be left on its side for more than 8 hours, and it will need to be left to settle upright for at least 24 hours before being plugged in.

How long do I wait before putting food in my new fridge?

Give your refrigerator at least 12 hours and preferably 24 hours to come to a stable, food-safe temperature before you start loading things up. If your new refrigerator doesn’t have a digital temperature sensor, there are affordable analogue refrigerator thermometer options available. Place a thermometer in the center of your freezer and in the center of your fresh food compartment to get an accurate reading.

What temperature should my refrigerator be?

To be food safe, the freezer must be, at minimum, 0°F (-18°C). The fresh food compartment should ideally be between 35° and 37°F, and no higher than 40°F. For more information, check out our guide to refrigerator temperatures.

Wrapping Up

With this guide, setting up your new appliance should be a breeze! Do you have any questions not answered here? Head on over to our main site to consult with our friendly experts or get tips from other DIYers just like you! Whether you’re working on a new install or fixing old reliable, AppliancePartsPros.com is here to help with all your appliance repair needs!