Person loading frozen food into a white chest freezer

Can you lay a freezer on its side?

Keeping a freezer upright is the best way to protect its internal systems, but there are times when laying it on its side may not be avoidable. Read on to learn what steps to take before, during and after transporting your chest or upright deep freezer, so you can help preserve your freezer’s performance and help prevent potential damage.

White Whirlpool® Chest Freezer beneath window in garage

How long can a freezer lay on its side?

Laying a freezer on its side is not recommended. If a freezer is on its side, this can increase the risk of lubricating oil running out of the freezer’s compressor and into the sealed refrigerant system tubing. Starting up the freezer—and more specifically, the compressor—under these conditions can cause your compressor to wear out faster.

If you need to lay your freezer on its side, reference your owner’s manual for specific recommendations about your model. If a freezer is put on its side, make sure to wait a full day after standing it upright before plugging it back in. This gives the oil time to migrate into the compressor before the power is activated.

Can a freezer be transported on its side?

When moving a freezer, the ideal option is to transport it upright and securely strapped down in a moving truck or other tall vehicle. This helps keep the refrigerant in place and also helps protect the cooling system.

Person loading food into a chest freezer

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How long to let a freezer sit before plugging it in

Freezers transported upright are typically ready to plug in right away, but if your freezer spent time on its side, you’ll need to let it sit upright before turning it on. This gives the oil time to settle back into place. A general rule is to let it sit upright for 24 hours. When in doubt, check your model-specific owner’s manual for specific guidance.

White Whirlpool® Upright Freezer along garage wall

Tips for laying a freezer on its side

Laying a freezer on its side isn’t recommended, but in the rare cases where there aren’t any other options, follow these tips:

Prepare the interior: Remove all food, defrost the freezer, and take out removable parts like shelving and drawers.
Protect the exterior: Use stretch tape to help keep the freezer doors securely shut. Then, wrap the entire unit in a moving blanket for protection and hold it in place with tape or rope to help it stay snug during the move.
Cover the floor: When preparing to lay your freezer down, get help to pull the freezer straight out and cover the floor with cardboard to help avoid damage to the floor.
Tilt to the side: When transferring a freezer to a hand truck, have a friend help you tilt the appliance slightly to the side (not forward) before sliding the hand truck underneath.
Wait to restart: Give your freezer time to settle before plugging it in. Let it sit upright for 24 hours before plugging it back in.

Explore Whirlpool^® Deep Freezers

From after-school snacks to bulk buys, Whirlpool^® Deep Freezers can store it all. Select upright freezers feature Fast Freeze that drops the temperature 10 degrees colder than the lowest setting, helping you chill large amounts of food fast. For ultimate flexibility, some Whirlpool^® Chest Freezers can convert from freezer to refrigerator to adapt to your family’s changing needs.