Unplug the refrigerator, how long before plugging it back in?

When we want to move the refrigerator from one place to another, clean the refrigerator or need to repair the refrigerator, we will have to unplug the refrigerator. So, before plugging the refrigerator back in, how long do we have to wait? Please find out in the article below to get the correct answer.

Table of Contents

• How to unplug and plug the refrigerator back in properly when moving it far away? 
• How long after unplugging the refrigerator to clean it should I plug it back in?
• How long should I unplug the refrigerator before and how long should I plug it back in after repairing it?

How to unplug and plug the refrigerator back in properly when moving it far away? 

If you have to move house or transport the refrigerator, you should unplug the refrigerator about 30 minutes before moving to allow the cooling system to reduce heat and the gas to return to normal.

During transportation, the refrigerator will have to tilt in many different ways such as horizontal, vertical... This will cause the gas in the refrigerator to run up to the hot and cold coils of the refrigerator. Therefore, when arriving at the new location, you should place the refrigerator firmly and wait about 3-6 hours before plugging it in. If you plug the refrigerator in immediately, the gas or oil will not have time to return to its original state, which will lead to a jammed block or a clogged condenser.

How long after unplugging the refrigerator to clean it should I plug it back in?

If you just want to unplug the refrigerator for cleaning, you can wait about 20-40 minutes and then plug it back in.

How long should I unplug the refrigerator before and how long should I plug it back in after repairing it?

If you need to repair the refrigerator, it will usually take more time than the above cases, so before repairing the refrigerator, you should unplug it about a day in advance to defrost it. After repairing, you should clean the refrigerator, then wait at least 30 minutes before plugging it back in.

• Note:
• In case of sudden power failure, immediately unplug the refrigerator. After the power is restored, wait about 20 minutes and then plug the refrigerator back in.
• When plugging in, you should plug it firmly, do not wiggle the plug or shake the socket, avoid loose plugging which will cause electrical short circuits and cause the cabinet to burn.

In general, after unplugging the refrigerator, you should not plug it back in immediately, wait for the system to return to its natural state, to ensure both safety for the refrigerator and to ensure less damage.

Should the refrigerator be turned off when not in use?

When your family goes on a long trip or goes back to the countryside for a long time and there is no need to preserve food, should you turn off the refrigerator?

Unplugging the refrigerator when not in use for a long time will help reduce electricity consumption significantly, saving money for the family and also helping to prevent and limit the risk of unexpected fire and explosion due to electrical short circuit.

However, unplugging the refrigerator when not in use can reduce the life of the refrigerator, causing damage to the internal components. If the refrigerator is not cleaned and dried before disconnecting the power, the condensation will wet the internal sensor circuits and lead to damage, easily creating an unpleasant smell.

Therefore, when you are away from home for a long time, over 14 days and there is no one to look after the refrigerator, you should consider unplugging the power source to ensure safety.