Committee for Refigerator Defenestration

Fridge removal, a photo essay.

For those not already aware, our synagogue's fridge went out some time between the first and second night of passover, making for an interesting second seder. The olfactory experience was akin to southeast Asian markets or the more colorful side of the cheese counter.

We need a new fridge, and we have one picked out, but to get it in means getting 500-600lbs of the old one out. A few measurements a week ago told us that we could get it out the window -- that is, out of its spot, across the kitchen, over the sink, and out the window, while avoiding the cabinets, lights, stove, hands, feet, arms, eyes, et. al.

Stumped 1: Fridge won't budge.

The cabinets were built around it, the floor was laid around it. Heck, it's not clear how that they didn't just build the kitchen around it the first time. The fridge was recessed 1 inch below floor level without wiggle room. A dead-lift was well beyond our abilities, so MH suggested the most complex machine we'd use that day: an auto jack from my car:

Stumped 2: Across the kitchen

The fridge, now loose, was really hard to move across the kitchen. Turns out that yanking copper water line out of the wall will make any fridge feel a lot heavier. The schematic diagram noted that the water line ran into the left kickplate of the fridge. We'd damn-near demolished that part, so getting the pipe out that way was moot.

The fridge water line was attached to the cold water line into the kitchen, so we went to turn off the water to disconnect it. Turns out that, to do that, you'd have to go to the master shutoff out in the street. That, of course, could leave us without bathrooms after we cut the pipe until we figured a way to seal it, and we couldn't guarantee that as an option.

Solution: just cut the line and see what happens. We tightened that valve that split the fridge water from the main cold water line and hoped it would seal the pipe. If that didn't work, we'd route the water line into the sink and down the drain. Luckily, it didn't come to that.

Using a straight screwdriver as chisel, we cut the copper.

Stumped 3: Up and Out the Window

Getting the window out was easy.

Tilting the fridge was easy.

Getting the thing up was a different story. A recipe for fridge removal:

2 former side panels
1 2x12 board, 10ft tall
3 bricks
1 annoying
drawer handle.

Tilt fridge. Once tilted, bottom corner of fridge will wedge under handle of drawer. Send MH over the sink to lift the fridge using a squat press to bring fridge back to vertical. Remove drawer handle. Repeat. Fridge will now be caught on overhanging counter. Send MH over sink to lift fridge to vertical again. Obtain 2x12 board. Place vertically between fridge and counter. Tilt fridge. Board will be pressed to vertical and offer no leverage at all. Send MH over sink to ...you get the idea. Obtain 3 bricks. place bricks at base of board so that it has to retain a 70 degree angle. Tilt fridge. "Walk" fridge up board until about 50 degrees. Place former fridge side panels to help glide protruding pieces of fridge uneventfully through window. Send AJ to spot trajectory. Heave - stop. Center. Heave - stop. Center. Place second fridge side panel against side of window to stop excess drift towards MH. HEAVE HEAVE HEAVE HEAVE slide slide slide until compressors at top of fridge exit window and their weight slings fridge onto patio. See figure 1.

Figure 1.
Take "Success!" photos:






Join us in a few weeks for our next adventure: Installing a NEW Fridge.