Does Fridge Need To Be Level And Why?

When it comes to buying a new fridge or relocating an existing one, you’ve probably heard that you must keep the appliance perfectly level. In this article, we’re going to tell you why that is, what happens if the fridge isn’t level, and how you can ensure that your fridge is perfectly level.

Let’s be clear about one thing: yes, a fridge must be perfectly level no matter where you put it. There are three reasons for this, namely: to ensure that the oils and lubricants in the cooling system can move around freely, to allow water to drain correctly (most important), and to prevent your food items from sliding out.

Let’s take a closer look at each of those three reasons why you should keep your fridge level.

What is it: Have you ever wondered how a fridge stays cool? Well, that’s because of the cooling system that all refrigerators depend on. 

This system consists of several mechanical parts, the most important of which is the compressor. That’s the component that compresses the coolant so that it can lower the temperatures inside the fridge.

For the compressor to work effectively, it must circulate a particular type of oil inside to absorb heat and ensure that everything moves smoothly.

Why it fails: When a fridge isn’t perfectly level, those oils will have a tough time trying to reach all the nooks and crannies inside the system. As a result, those parts will not stay well-lubricated, and in a worst-case scenario, they may even overheat!

Not only would that cause the fridge’s entire cooling system to fail, but it might also cause the mechanical parts to damage themselves and require a replacement.

How to fix: To ensure that your fridge’s cooling system is working efficiently, all you have to do is ensure that the refrigerator is perfectly level.

Manufacturers design fridges so that they’ll operate at their best when they’re standing perfectly flat and level on the ground.

What is it: Let’s think about how a fridge usually functions. In the fridge compartments, the appliance takes warm air and turns it cold.

Much colder compartments like the freezer, for example, sometimes generate frost, which is why modern fridges automatically defrost from time to time.

These processes generate a lot of condensation. That means that inside your fridge, there’s a lot of water moving around.

That’s not a big deal, though. Manufacturers always build excellent drainage into the fridge to ensure that all that water can flow away easily.

Why it fails: By design, all fridges can drain excess water and moisture. However, that ability depends on the refrigerator being perfectly level.

If you do not place your fridge on a perfectly flat surface, then all of that water will not flow through the drainage system correctly.

As a result, the bottom of your fridge may overflow with water leading to puddles on your kitchen floor.

How to fix: When it comes to the drainage system, there’s not much that you need to do other than to ensure that your fridge is perfectly level.

Once it’s leveled, gravity will do all the work. Any excess water will flow through the fridge’s drainage, leaving you with a cold and dry fridge.

What is it: Last but not least, another important reason to keep your fridge perfectly level is to ensure that all of your items inside do not slide out.

After all, there would be nothing worse than to open your fridge door only to have bottles and containers falling onto the floor!

Why it fails: Remember: manufacturers design your fridge to be perfectly level. The shelves inside aren’t able to keep your food items in place if the unit stands on an uneven surface, which could result in them sliding out when you open the door.

How to fix: Keeping your fridge perfectly level is the best way to ensure that nothing slides out from the shelves of your fridge. By doing so, your fridge’s compartments can do their job effectively and keep everything in place.

Sometimes, our homes’ designs feature uneven floors and will make it much more challenging to keep our fridges level. Don’t worry, though. There are several ways to work around it.

Some Fridges Have Adjustable Mounts

Before you do anything, try and figure out whether your fridge has adjustable mounts or legs. You can do this by referring to the user manual, or you can just shine a flashlight underneath it to see what kind of legs the unit has.

Plenty of manufacturers proactively include adjustable mounts with their fridges. Typically, all you’ll need is a basic tool like a screwdriver to adjust each leg until it’s at the perfect height.

Underneath your fridge, you’ll find at least two or four adjustable legs that you can use to level your fridge. To make the process easier, get someone to keep an eye on the level while you adjust each leg.

You Can Buy Fridge Shims

If your fridge doesn’t have any adjustable legs, you can also purchase shims instead. These are little pieces of plastic or other sturdy materials that go under your fridge to make it perfectly level.

Usually, shims aren’t expensive at all, and you can get them almost anywhere. Be sure to check your preferred hardware store or buy them online.

How To Check If The Fridge Is Level

You have to measure the fridge’s level to ensure that you’re making the correct adjustments. The traditional way of doing this is with a bubble level, which you may already own in your toolbox. If not, they’re also very affordable at your local hardware store.

These days, you can also use your smartphone to perform the same function! That’s right. iPhones and Android phones now have applications that turn your phone into a level.

You’ll find that they’re handy while levelling your fridge!

Samsung refrigerators are pretty easy to level front to back. To get started, all you’ll need are a few tools like a level, a flathead screwdriver, and a Phillips screwdriver. Each of these tools will play a crucial role in the process.

Most Samsung fridges have leveling legs and castor wheels underneath to make them easy to move and position appropriately.

When it comes to buying a new fridge or relocating an existing one, you’ve probably heard that you must keep the appliance perfectly level. In this article, we’re going to tell you why that is, what happens if the fridge isn’t level, and how you can ensure that your fridge is perfectly level.

Let’s be clear about one thing: yes, a fridge must be perfectly level no matter where you put it. There are three reasons for this, namely: to ensure that the oils and lubricants in the cooling system can move around freely, to allow water to drain correctly (most important), and to prevent your food items from sliding out.

Let’s take a closer look at each of those three reasons why you should keep your fridge level.

What is it: Have you ever wondered how a fridge stays cool? Well, that’s because of the cooling system that all refrigerators depend on. 

This system consists of several mechanical parts, the most important of which is the compressor. That’s the component that compresses the coolant so that it can lower the temperatures inside the fridge.

For the compressor to work effectively, it must circulate a particular type of oil inside to absorb heat and ensure that everything moves smoothly.

Why it fails: When a fridge isn’t perfectly level, those oils will have a tough time trying to reach all the nooks and crannies inside the system. As a result, those parts will not stay well-lubricated, and in a worst-case scenario, they may even overheat!

Not only would that cause the fridge’s entire cooling system to fail, but it might also cause the mechanical parts to damage themselves and require a replacement.

How to fix: To ensure that your fridge’s cooling system is working efficiently, all you have to do is ensure that the refrigerator is perfectly level.

Manufacturers design fridges so that they’ll operate at their best when they’re standing perfectly flat and level on the ground.

What is it: Let’s think about how a fridge usually functions. In the fridge compartments, the appliance takes warm air and turns it cold.

Much colder compartments like the freezer, for example, sometimes generate frost, which is why modern fridges automatically defrost from time to time.

These processes generate a lot of condensation. That means that inside your fridge, there’s a lot of water moving around.

That’s not a big deal, though. Manufacturers always build excellent drainage into the fridge to ensure that all that water can flow away easily.

Why it fails: By design, all fridges can drain excess water and moisture. However, that ability depends on the refrigerator being perfectly level.

If you do not place your fridge on a perfectly flat surface, then all of that water will not flow through the drainage system correctly.

As a result, the bottom of your fridge may overflow with water leading to puddles on your kitchen floor.

How to fix: When it comes to the drainage system, there’s not much that you need to do other than to ensure that your fridge is perfectly level.

Once it’s leveled, gravity will do all the work. Any excess water will flow through the fridge’s drainage, leaving you with a cold and dry fridge.

What is it: Last but not least, another important reason to keep your fridge perfectly level is to ensure that all of your items inside do not slide out.

After all, there would be nothing worse than to open your fridge door only to have bottles and containers falling onto the floor!

Why it fails: Remember: manufacturers design your fridge to be perfectly level. The shelves inside aren’t able to keep your food items in place if the unit stands on an uneven surface, which could result in them sliding out when you open the door.

How to fix: Keeping your fridge perfectly level is the best way to ensure that nothing slides out from the shelves of your fridge. By doing so, your fridge’s compartments can do their job effectively and keep everything in place.

Sometimes, our homes’ designs feature uneven floors and will make it much more challenging to keep our fridges level. Don’t worry, though. There are several ways to work around it.

Some Fridges Have Adjustable Mounts

Before you do anything, try and figure out whether your fridge has adjustable mounts or legs. You can do this by referring to the user manual, or you can just shine a flashlight underneath it to see what kind of legs the unit has.

Plenty of manufacturers proactively include adjustable mounts with their fridges. Typically, all you’ll need is a basic tool like a screwdriver to adjust each leg until it’s at the perfect height.

Underneath your fridge, you’ll find at least two or four adjustable legs that you can use to level your fridge. To make the process easier, get someone to keep an eye on the level while you adjust each leg.

You Can Buy Fridge Shims

If your fridge doesn’t have any adjustable legs, you can also purchase shims instead. These are little pieces of plastic or other sturdy materials that go under your fridge to make it perfectly level.

Usually, shims aren’t expensive at all, and you can get them almost anywhere. Be sure to check your preferred hardware store or buy them online.

How To Check If The Fridge Is Level

You have to measure the fridge’s level to ensure that you’re making the correct adjustments. The traditional way of doing this is with a bubble level, which you may already own in your toolbox. If not, they’re also very affordable at your local hardware store.

These days, you can also use your smartphone to perform the same function! That’s right. iPhones and Android phones now have applications that turn your phone into a level.

You’ll find that they’re handy while levelling your fridge!

Samsung refrigerators are pretty easy to level front to back. To get started, all you’ll need are a few tools like a level, a flathead screwdriver, and a Phillips screwdriver. Each of these tools will play a crucial role in the process.

Most Samsung fridges have leveling legs and castor wheels underneath to make them easy to move and position appropriately.