Moving into a new home? Or perhaps you’re thinking of buying a new refrigerator for your kitchen space. Either way, you’ve got your work cut out for you. There will be a lot of heavy lifting involved, so you’re probably wondering: how much does a fridge weigh, anyway? After all, it’s smart to know how much the appliance weighs so you can safely move it and determine whether the floor of the fridge space in your home has the capacity to support it.
Related Article: What Temp Should Fridge Be? A Guide to Optimal Refrigerator Temperatures
Don Fuller’s Appliance Repair is here to answer all your questions! We’ll go over the estimated weight of various types of fridges to help you make informed decisions and plan with confidence.
Why Should You Know Your Refrigerator Weight?
Determining the weight of a refrigerator goes hand in hand with knowing its size, dimensions (width, height, depth), and features, as considering all of these factors helps you find the right refrigerator for your specific space. To be more specific, here are some of the reasons why it’s best to measure a refrigerator before moving day or before purchasing it:
Smooth Moving Process
You’ll have to hire professional movers to transport the fridge for you if you’re moving houses. Lighter materials are easy to handle, but moving heavy items and appliances like larger refrigerators require some extra preparation. Weighing the refrigerator helps the professional movers prepare the necessary equipment needed for a smooth moving process.
Transportation or Delivery
If you’re having your newly purchased refrigerator delivered to your doorstep, there may be some extra fees along with the delivery charge for heavier items like refrigerators. So, keep that in mind as you consider which fridge to buy.
Installation
Measuring the weight of a refrigerator can be beneficial in planning and preparing for its installation, especially if your space has certain weight restrictions and floor support requirements.
Average Weight of Different Types of Refrigerators
Different brands of refrigerators weigh differently. Here are the general weights of the most common types of refrigerators:
1. Top Freezer Refrigerators
Weight Range: 117-220 lbs
Average Weight: 166 lbs
With a top freezer refrigerator, you get a lighter and more modest-sized fridge perfect for small households. Top freezer models can store a decent amount of food and groceries, measuring from around 14 to 22 cubic feet.
2. Mini Fridges
Weight Range: 22-95 lbs
Average Weight: 60 lbs
A mini fridge is incredibly compact and space-saving. Among all the types of fridges, mini fridges are the lightest and easiest to move or transport. They’re great for small households and single people who need much less storage space than larger families.
3. Side-by-Side Refrigerators
Weight Range: 242-340 lbs
Average Weight: 285 lbs
As the name suggests, these models have the freezer and fridge positioned side by side. Usually, the right door is for the refrigerator portion and the right one for the freezer and ice dispenser. On average, they weigh 12 lbs per cubic foot of capacity. If you’re planning to purchase this model, make sure you have enough space for the two doors to open fully.
4. French Door Refrigerators
Weight Range: 230-390 lbs
Average Weight: 317 lbs
When it comes to energy efficiency and modern style, french door refrigerators are a versatile, feature-packed model that dominates the market as of late. These models have two upper side-by-side doors and a bottom freezer that you can pull out or open with a single door. They also have various features like water dispensers, ice makers, and smart technology.
The Weight of Older Refrigerators vs. Newer Refrigerators
There are noticeable differences between older refrigerators and newer models. For example, older models generally weigh more because of the outdated materials used to make them, as well as their clunky design.
In contrast, new fridges have a smooth, sleek design that fits well in contemporary homes. They use lighter and more efficient materials, which helps reduce weight. Aside from a lighter weight, they also have tons of modern features that promote energy efficiency and overall durability.
How Much Does Your Refrigerator Weigh? Check Its Weight at Home
Moving day is fast approaching, and you need to the refrigerator weight. Here are some tips to help you weigh the appliance at home:
Read the User Manual
You can easily find out how much a refrigerator weighs by reading through the user manual it came with. It’s usually written in the specifications of the product.
Check Online for Information
If you don’t have the user manual, you can find many resources online that can tell you its exact weight. You’ll have to know your fridge’s brand and model number so you can specifically look for it on the manufacturer’s website.
Estimate the Weight with Measurements
- Start by measuring the fridge’s dimensions—height, width, and depth.
- Multiply these three figures to get the volume in cubic feet.
- Generally, fridges weigh 15 lbs per cubic foot, so multiply the volume you previously calculated by 15. The product is the estimated weight of your fridge.
Call the Pros
Of course, there’s always the option to call a moving company or appliance technician for assistance. They can help you figure out the exact weight of your fridge.
How to Safely Move a Fridge
Moving your refrigerator can be tricky, whether you’re moving it from one room to another or to a whole new house. Here are some instructions you can follow to make sure that your refrigerator makes it to its destination in pristine condition (and that you don’t end up with injuries!).
Remove Its Contents
Take out all the food, drinks, and groceries in the fridge. It will make the appliance much lighter.
Defrost
Defrost or unplug the fridge. Let the ice melt for a few hours and get rid of the water so there are no leaks or spills as you move it.
Secure the Doors
Use straps, ropes, or tape to keep the doors from opening while you move the fridge.
Place It on a Dolly or Hand Truck
Get a family member or friend to help you place the fridge on a dolly or hand truck (if you have one). You don’t have to lift the fridge—just tilt the fridge’s body back and insert the dolly or hand truck underneath. Now, you can easily move the fridge without carrying it.
Bring the Fridge to Its Destination
If you need to bring the appliance up a flight of stairs, it’s best to hire professional movers to assist you. Once the fridge is where it’s supposed to be, carefully place it into its new position and plug it in again.
What Affects the Weight of a Fridge?
These are the aspects and factors that affect the weight of a refrigerator:
Refrigerator Size
The larger the fridge, the heavier it is. Larger refrigerators weigh more if they have higher storage capacity and total cubic feet of space.
Refrigerator Model or Type
Refrigerators are built differently by manufacturers, so some models or types of fridges will weigh heavier than others because of their components and design.
Refrigerator Age
Older fridges are usually heavier than modern fridges. This is because the older models use heavier components and have less sleek designs, which affect their overall weight.
Got Fridge Problems? It’s Time to Call Don Fuller’s Appliance Repair OKC!
Spending time to understand how much your fridge weighs can help you plan a smooth move and prevent damage to your appliance. However, no matter how careful you are, there are times when accidents happen unexpectedly and you find yourself in need of appliance repair services.
Don Fuller’s Appliance Repair is the most trusted fridge repair in OK. Backed by years of providing dependable repair services to Oklahoma locals, we’re known for our expertise in appliance repair.
Contact us today at (405) 622-5961 to get started!
