What to Do With Your Freezer When You Move

The freezer question comes up on almost every move. Customers aren't sure whether to empty it, how long food stays cold, or whether they can even move it with stuff inside. After nearly 20 years of moves, here's the real answer — and it depends on what kind of freezer you have.

Chest Freezers: You Can Leave the Food In

A chest freezer is the exception to the rule. If your freezer is a top-loading chest style, you can leave the contents inside for a local move. The insulation in a chest freezer is excellent, and with the lid closed, food will stay frozen for several hours — more than enough time for a typical local move.

The key: load the chest freezer last onto the truck, and unload it first at the new place. It goes on the truck last so it spends the least amount of time in transport, and it comes off first so you can plug it in immediately at the new home.

For longer moves or moves in extreme heat, pack the contents in coolers as a precaution — especially meat and anything that can't be refrozen once thawed.

Upright Freezers and Refrigerators: Empty Them

Upright freezers and standard refrigerators need to be emptied before the move. These units aren't as well-insulated as chest freezers, and they're transported on their side or at an angle — which can damage the cooling system and causes any liquid or food to shift and spill.

Plan your meals around the freezer in the two weeks before your move. Use up what you can, donate non-perishables, and dispose of anything that won't survive the move.

The Smart Strategy for Any Freezer

Regardless of type, here's the approach that protects your food and your wallet:

2 weeks before: Stop buying large quantities of frozen food. Start using up what's in there.
Night before: Move everything remaining into coolers with ice. Defrost if needed.
Moving day: Load the freezer last (chest) or empty and defrost (upright/fridge).
New home: Plug in immediately. Wait 2–4 hours before restocking to let the compressor stabilize.

Don't Forget to Defrost

If your upright freezer has built-up frost or ice, defrost it the night before the move. An un-defrosted freezer will drip water throughout the truck, potentially damaging other items. Put down towels and leave the door open overnight.

What About the Ice Maker?

Disconnect the water line to the ice maker before the move. It's one of the most commonly forgotten steps. Turn off the water supply valve, disconnect the line, and let any remaining water drain out. Leaving a connected water line can result in water damage during transport or when reconnecting at the new home.

Questions? Call Before Moving Day

Not sure how to handle your specific appliance? Give us a call before your move and we'll walk you through it. We'd rather spend five minutes on the phone than have you arrive at your new home with a truck full of thawed food.