Preparation is the key to success

So what could possibly go wrong with installing a new freezer? Some potential issues are:

• Staff injury or damage to surfaces and flooring, due to rushed installation or removal
• Wasted staff time, due to poor space planning
• Food or product wastage, due to a lack of alternative cold storage

All of the above can be avoided with some simple pre-planning.

First, decide where you will store the frozen items in your existing freezer. It can take up to 16 hours for a new freezer to be ready for re-stocking, so you will need to either move your stock to an alternative freezer or ensure it can be kept at 4ºC for no more than 48 hours.

Emptying your freezer will then give you the option to fully defrost it and move it to a convenient position before your new appliance arrives. Will the delivery team take away your old freezer or will you dispose of it via the local council? Arrange to move it to the most convenient location.

But before moving anything, we recommend thinking about the most sensible route to take and protecting exposed furniture and vulnerable surfaces. You don't want to chip the corner of a kitchen worktop or crack a tile during the move.

Finally, think carefully about where the new freezer will go. Ensure the following:

• There will be adequate space above and around it (5mm minimum)
• It will not sit next to another appliance (especially ovens)
• There is an accessible power point nearby
• The ambient temperature will not drop below 10ºC

Attending to the above should make installing your new freezer relatively painless.

Please note, the following instructions apply mainly to free-standing upright freezers. If you are ordering a fitted freezer or a chest freezer, some of the following advice may not apply or there may be further steps to follow.

Remove all external packaging and free the plug

It will be much easier to remove all exterior packaging and free the power plug before moving your freezer in place, although it may help to keep the door taped shut if applicable. You can then remove the tape, together with any internal packaging, when the appliance is in situ.

Check for perforations or any other 'easy open' features to save you time and effort. If you are using a sharp implement to cut through packaging, take care not to injure yourself or damage the freezer in the process.

Locate the user manual and read and follow all safety advice. You may also want to read through the whole booklet before continuing. Your manual may specify a 'maximum tilt' value, so make sure you stay within this when moving your freezer.

Carefully move your freezer into position

Following good manual handling practise, and with the help of at least one other person, manoeuvre your new appliance into its allocated space. The feet of a freezer can damage surfaces, so be slow and careful in your movements, lifting the appliance rather than sliding it. Consider using a trolley, wheeled platform or floor sliders.

Does your door open to the side you want it to? If not, most freezers have reversible hinges and doorhandles, and you will find instructions on how to switch these around in your user manual.

Following the instructions in the user manual, adjust your freezer's feet (in most cases, you twist the foot clockwise to raise and vice versa). You will need a spirit level to ensure the freezer body is horizontal from left to right and slightly sloping backwards.

Leave to settle

During transport, the refrigerants and oils within a freezer can become agitated causing gas to build up. Unless specified otherwise, you might want to leave your freezer for up to four hours before powering it on. We recommend leaving it for at least an hour. In the meantime, you can clean your new arrival. You don't need to go overboard. A quick wash with some warm water and washing up liquid will be sufficient. Make sure you dry the interior of your freezer fully before use.

Plug in, switch on and wait

After the settling period, plug in your freezer, switch it on and wait for it to reach its operating temperature. Some models will have a light to indicate this, but we recommend using an appliance thermometer to be on the safe side.

It can take anywhere from 2 to 12 hours for a new freezer to reach a stable temperature, ready for re-stocking.

Wait! Do you need to replace your old freezer?

If you're replacing your freezer because it has become inefficient or you are having to defrost it regularly, there may be a simple cause: a dirty, worn or damaged freezer door gasket.

Before investing in an expensive replacement freezer, visit our page on maintaining your door gaskets.