Buying & Moving a Used Fridge

[Beach_Stache]

Hi all,
DW has been talking about a new refrigerator, something stainles steel that looks nice.  We have a properly working fridge now, but is probably 20 years old and a bit of an eye sore.  I could move this out to the garage.  There are some good stainless steel options on FB Marketplace but I have no repair skills, so really don't know what I'm looking at.  I don't want to buy something that someone hasn't been honest about the quality just b/c it looks nice.  Any advice on buying a used fridge?

Second question, we have a family van which is amazing for moving stuff, however I know you're not "supposed to" lay a fridge on it's back or side and should have it straight up and down.  That's not an option for me in the van.  Will I damage something if I load it in my van on the side or back, as if it's 50/50 then probably buying a scratch and dent at a local place and having them move it may be a better option?

Any advice or guidance on what to look for w/a used fridge and how to transport it?

[debbie does duncan]

Buy or rent or borrow a fridge dolly. It saves your back. The idea is to keep a fridge upright bc the Freon moves around and if you move it on its side  you need to stand it upright for 24 hrs before plugging it back in. I am assuming this has not changed in the past yrs.

[APowers]

The rule of thumb I've been told about laying refrigerators down, is that they need to stand upright again for at least the same amount of time as they were laid over before you can plug them in. As Debbie said, it's because the liquid freon can flow to places it can't usually, and then you risk the compressor running dry, which damages it. I wouldn't be concerned at all about laying a fridge down for transport from point A to home. Just let it sit for a while before you plug it in.

Definitely borrow an appliance dolly if you can, or at the very least a good hand truck. And also borrow a strong friend, lol. Teamwork is really great for getting appliance up or down stairs, and around tight corners and doorways. Also, some moving blankets or large sheets of cardboard are nice for reducing friction when sliding it in/out of the van.

[Retire-Canada]

Any advice on buying a used fridge?

Advice? Well you have a perfectly functional fridge now so just don't replace it. Solves all the problems of buying a used fridge.

FWIW - I have a 20+ year old fridge as well. I will enjoy having a new/newer stainless fridge one of these days when it dies or we move, but I'm not going through the hassle of replacing it particularly with a used fridge that I may actually have issues with.

[Beach_Stache]

Any advice on buying a used fridge?

Advice? Well you have a perfectly functional fridge now so just don't replace it. Solves all the problems of buying a used fridge.

FWIW - I have a 20+ year old fridge as well. I will enjoy having a new/newer stainless fridge one of these days when it dies or we move, but I'm not going through the hassle of replacing it particularly with a used fridge that I may actually have issues with.

Yes, I guess that's a good point.  DW has been talking about a new fridge though, so the writing is on the wall.  I'm fine w/the same fridge, it does it's job, and I don't think we'll need a 2nd fridge in the garage, so I guess I shouldn't press our luck if ours has been fine, no reason to upgrade.  But DW is very patient w/my MMM ways, so the smaller things she does ask for I try not to give her a hard time as she has been converted over the last 7 years so I don't want to be too difficult when she does so well to stay below our means.  I guess I'll just keep holding out until she keeps pressing, and in the meantime I'll keep my eyes open for a good deal!

[meandmyfamily]

The new ones break so quickly compared to those old ones!  We have bought used ones on Craiglist and they have been great.  The fridge dolly is great.  You can lay them on side for a bit but then have to follow the rules the others talked about.  When we got one off Craigslist they delivered it to us!  I bet someone would pick up your old one.  I personally would wait until it breaks.

[cool7hand]

I'm not as dogmatic as others about a one-size-fits-all approach to FIRE. If you want a new fridge and it fits your goals/budget/whatever, go for it. Go to you local library and look up recent reliability ratings in Consumer Reports. If it breaks, you're a mustachian and can fix it yourself. Do what works for you and don't worry about others blessing your decisions.

[PMG]

https://www.amazon.com/Livelynine-Removable-Stainless-Decorative-Dishwasher/dp/B07RM1H45N/ref=asc_df_B07RM1H45N/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366282422061&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14073835187590624291&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014356&hvtargid=pla-788450388166&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=79917573521&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366282422061&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14073835187590624291&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014356&hvtargid=pla-788450388166

Stainless appliance wrap. No hauling needed. No risk of trading a good fridge for a dud.

[Beach_Stache]

https://www.amazon.com/Livelynine-Removable-Stainless-Decorative-Dishwasher/dp/B07RM1H45N/ref=asc_df_B07RM1H45N/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366282422061&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14073835187590624291&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014356&hvtargid=pla-788450388166&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=79917573521&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366282422061&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14073835187590624291&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014356&hvtargid=pla-788450388166

Stainless appliance wrap. No hauling needed. No risk of trading a good fridge for a dud.

Ha, this is great!  I'm going to have to watch some video's on how they do it.  I'm not handy, so don't want to mess it up, but if it's $20 to seal a fridge and I bomb then no big deal.  As long as the glue comes off and I can undo any of my mistakes then good to go!

[JLee]

FYI for the "my old fridge works fine" crowd - power efficiency has massively improved over the decades.

https://www.thesimpledollar.com/save-money/is-it-cost-effective-to-replace-your-refrigerator-today/

[Jon Bon]

There is an entire cottage industry of guys out there that repair quality like new fridges that rich people have thrown out. Often the fix is super simple and they are happy to resell, they often offer delivery. Often its just ones that are second hand because someone had remodeled their kitchen.

Craigslist/FB marketplace is full of these guys.

Moving a fridge is probably almost as bad as moving a damn piano IMO. They never fit through he door, you gotta take the doors off the house, and doors of the fridge it is pretty terrible. So pay a guy $500 bucks to deliver a fridge to you that was new 3 years ago and he will even haul away the old one.

Granted this is for my rental properties. I buy new appliances for myself. I used it 25-50 times a day, its ok to spend a few bucks.

[HPstache]

Any advice on buying a used fridge?

Advice? Well you have a perfectly functional fridge now so just don't replace it. Solves all the problems of buying a used fridge.

FWIW - I have a 20+ year old fridge as well. I will enjoy having a new/newer stainless fridge one of these days when it dies or we move, but I'm not going through the hassle of replacing it particularly with a used fridge that I may actually have issues with.

A 20-year-old refrigerator could use 1,700 kWh of electricity every year, compared with about 450 kWh for a similarly sized new ENERGY STAR model. At an electrical cost of 12 cents per kWh, that represents a savings of $150 per year and a potential payback of about 7-9 years.