Millions of Americans have moved and are moving in 2021. People are taking advantage of low interest rates for home loans, capitalizing on the flexibility of working remotely, or are changing jobs or retiring.
If you’re moving this year, and moving a wine cabinet is part of your relocation journey, this article is a must-read. At KnowWines, we moved two Eurocave wine cabinets in 2020 and again in 2021, so we have a lot of experience to share about how to move a wine cabinet on your own. Here, we share our tips and tricks.
Before we get moving, though, a little bit about the KnowWines blog. We are an Amazon.com affiliate and we do receive a small commission if you purchase items through our affiliate links at no cost to you. The commissions we receive help us pay for web hosting fees, our podcast, products to test, and other costs associated with running this site. Thanks for using our affiliate links and supporting our independent blog!
Why Move Your Own Wine Cabinet?
You may already have the tools needed for moving appliances like a truck or trailer, a hand truck, and some strong and enthusiastic friends happy to help in exchange for some free wine.
Or, you simply might not have had the time or money to line up a professional mover. Whatever the reason, if you have the right equipment and some help you can probably move your own wine fridge.
How Do You Move Any Size Wine Fridge?
No matter the size of your fridge, you can follow these steps to move a wine cabinet:
Assemble your moving supplies, vehicle/trailer, and helpers (specifically, you’ll need a hand truck rated for carrying the weight of your fridge, bubble wrap, packing tape, and moving blankets).
Remove your wines from your wine cabinet.
Unplug the unit.
Secure the shelving and any other moving (or loose) parts inside the cabinet.
Secure the wine cabinet door.
Secure the electrical cord.
Wipe down any condensation underneath or behind the unit.
Take the opportunity to clean the coils on the back of the unit with a vacuum or dust cloth.
Wrap the unit with a moving blanket.
Secure the wine cabinet onto the hand truck (or dolly) using a ratchet strap.
Load the wine cabinet onto your truck/trailer/box truck.
Unload the wine cabinet from the truck.
Level the cabinet.
Re-install shelving if it was removed earlier.
Let the wine refrigerator sit for 24 to 48 hours (48 hours preferred).
Plug the wine cabinet into its new home and let it come to 55 F overnight.
Place your wines back into the wine refrigerator.
Here’s a quick shopping list of our favorite appliance moving supplies which can be procured online, at a local hardware shop, or second-hand through Facebook Marketplace.
Hand Truck / Dolly
Reusable Moving Blankets
Ratchet Straps
Bubble Wrap
How Do You Move a Large Wine Fridge?
The steps for moving the large wine refrigerator are listed above in moving any wine fridge.
Moving a large wine fridge (one like the Eurocave Performance series) or any unit holding over 100 bottles will require three people at minimum - two for heavy lifting and one for guiding.
How Do You Move a Small Wine Fridge?
The steps are similar to moving a large one, but some steps may not apply:
Your unit may not have removable shelving, so placing some bubble wrap or a towel between the shelves and door may be enough to prevent damage.
Your unit may not have adjustable feet for leveling the cabinet at the new location.
When moving a small wine fridge, you may be able to place a piece of cardboard (or some other simple household item) between the hand truck (dolly) and the small wine cabinet to avoid scratching, in which case you will not need a moving blanket.
If the fridge small enough, you may be able to lift it yourself (or just with the help of a single friend) and not need a dolly or hand truck.
Otherwise the process is the same for moving any wine fridge, as listed above.
Should I Clean my Wine Cabinet Before Moving?
Yes! Clean your wine refrigerator inside and out with a slightly dam washcloth and gentle cleaner. Dry any remaining liquid inside the unit with an absorbent towel. Removing dampness will prevent the growth of mold and foul odors inside the cabinet, especially if the unit is sitting for more than a few days during your move.
Also, don’t forget to use this as an opportunity to vacuum the coils on the back of the unit!
Should I Remove Shelving from my Wine Cabinet Before Moving?
If the shelving that holds the wine bottles is removable, we suggest that you remove the shelves and any other mobile components inside the unit. This will prevent the shelves or other components (like a hygrometer) from falling or banging around during the move.
Moving components inside the cabinet cause damage to the glass, walls, or other shelves during transport if not secured.
Another option for securing shelving is to wedge bubble wrap between the shelves and the door and then secure the bubble wrap with gentle paint tape or moving tape that will not damage the finish of your fridge.
How Should I Move a Wine Fridge a Short Distance?
If you are moving a wine refrigerator down the hall or down the street for example, you may not need a truck or trailer. You may be able to simply secure the wine cabinet onto the dolly or hand truck, and with the help of another individual to serve as spotter, simply navigate down the hall or street to the new location.
If you go this route, make sure to adequately wrap the empty wine cabinet with a moving blanket so that the exterior does not get scratched during transit. Also take care to not tip the cabinet more than 45 degrees during loading or transport. And last, make sure to let the unit sit for 24 to 48 hours before plugging in again.
Can I Move A Wine Cabinet On Its Side?
Unless this type of transport is specifically mentioned in the user manual of the wine refrigerator, do not move a wine cabinet on its side.
The folks over at Hunker offer a good outline of bad things that can happen to a wine (or any refrigerator) if it is laid on its side. The most problematic issues with moving a refrigerator this way are compressor oil getting into refrigerant lines OR the door and hinges being damaged during transit.
How Do I Transport a EuroCave?
Most EuroCave wine cabinets weigh in excess of 200 pounds. You will need to follow the instructions listed at the top of the article for preparing, moving, and post-move set-up. Additionally, you will need a truck or trailer to move the cabinet. You’ll also need two to three strong individuals to help with the move.
How Long Do I Let a Wine Cabinet Sit Before Plugging It In?
Let your wine cabinet set for 24 to 48 hours so that any compressor lubricant (oil) that may have gone into the coolant lines settles out. This is an important step! You may be excited to get your refrigerator set up in your new space (we get it), but exercise a little patience to ensure the integrity of your wine refrigerator.
How Do I Keep a Wine Refrigerator in Storage?
If you are going to store your wine cabinet in a storage unit, make sure that the unit is clean and the inside of the cabinet is free from moisture when you place it in storage.
To prevent moisture from being trapped in the fridge and causing moldy or foul odors, place a piece of cardboard between the door and box so that there is a crack of at least ½ inch to allow for circulation of air inside the unit.
And of course you will want to store your wine fridge upright. Beyond these steps, there is little else you need to do.
Moving Your Wine Fridge: The KnowWines Conclusion
We recognize that not everyone is able to organize professional movers to move a wine cabinet for a myriad of reasons.
If you find yourself in need of moving a wine refrigerator, be sure you have the right supplies and some friends, a truck, or a trailer. Then follow the steps at the beginning of this blog to make sure your wine refrigerator makes to your new home in working order!
Now that you know how to move your wine fridge, it’s time to start packing all those wine glasses - here’s how. Good luck with your move!
Cheers!