A stove is probably one of the more permanent features in a home that is less likely to be moved around. This explains why many people are unfamiliar with transporting it when they need to move to a new home or relocate it somewhere else. Since a stove has components that can get damaged in transit, is it safe to transport it on its back?
A stove should not be transported on its back, and it is best to place it on its sides to prevent possible damages to the appliance. Place the stove on its right or left side and not the back or rear. Glass top stoves should be transported in an upright position to prevent damages to the glass surface.
A professional moving company might be your best bet if you have zero experience on how to move your stove or range. However, this article will explain in some detail what you need to keep in mind if you want to do it yourself. You will also learn a few tips on loading and unloading your stove into a pickup or truck.
Can a stove be transported on its back
Why Transporting a Stove on Its Sides Is Safer
According to Statista, about 3.46 million kitchen stoves (surface cooking units, gas ranges, and ovens) were shipped in 2016 across the United States alone. Clearly, this appliance is an essential part of most modern kitchens.
Whether you use an electric or gas stove, safety is always the watchword. When it is in use, you want to be sure your stove doesn’t cause any havoc in your kitchen. When it becomes necessary to move it, you also don’t want it to scratch your beautiful floors, or fall on your legs – these things are incredibly heavy.
Besides, most stoves don’t come cheap, so you want to protect your investment by ensuring it is safe during transport.
Although safety is vital, your stove won’t become damaged beyond repairs simply because you transported it on its back. Home cooking has been identified as one of the top five major causes of house fires, but these fires are not likely caused by stoves that were broken in transit. Instead, it has more to do with negligence.
However, the chances of a malfunction are higher when you transport your stove on its back. Several parts need to be removed if you want to lay your stove on its rear during transit. Some of these include grates, internal racks, oven doors, coils, broiler pans, burner covers, valve knobs, and others. Some of these removable parts (such as valve knobs) are a bit tricky to reinstall and might get damaged in the process.
If you have a modern stove, it is probably equipped with a hot surface ignitor (HSI). The HSI and a few other parts of a stove are fragile and can break easily if the stove lies on its back, especially if there are lots of jarring and banging during transportation.
On the other hand, most parts of the stove can remain intact when you move it on its sides. Fastening the oven doors and a few other parts with tape is all you need to do, and you are good to go.
What to Do if You Must Transport a Stove on Its Back
Sometimes it may become necessary to transport your stove on its back for a couple of reasons. You may not have enough room in your minivan or SUV to place a stove on its sides or even keep it in an upright position (if it is a glass top stove). You may want to move a stove by yourself instead of spending extra money hiring the services of a professional moving company.
Here’s the thing, though. While it is okay to transport a stove by yourself from the point of purchase to your house, if you are moving house across states, it is better to look for an interstate moving company to help you out with your stove and other large appliances.
Here are some things you can do to minimize damage if you are in a situation where your only feasible option is to transport your stove on its back.
- Make sure to remove the coil, rack, and other elements that can flip out if you hit a bump in the road.
- Do not remove the oven doors. Instead, lock the doors (if yours come with locks) or secure them with tape.
- Leave the knobs intact to avoid problems with reinstallation. If you are worried that they may come off in transit, secure them with tape.
- If you have a mover’s plastic, you can use it to wrap the stove to prevent starches. This applies whether you transport a stove on its back, sides, or even in an upright position.
How to Move a Stove
Moving a stove can be tricky because some components can break easily, and in most cases, the appliance is heavy. It is a good idea to have one or two persons that will help out, especially if you have a particularly large stove. Here is a quick guide to help you safely load and unload your stove into your vehicle.
- Give the stove a good clean. It is difficult to get a good grip on a sticky stove. Also, moving a dirty stove will leave debris all over your floor, vehicle, and new home (if you are relocating).
- Safely disconnect the unit and shut off the line (if you are using gas). This part requires some technical know-how, so if you are not absolutely sure how to do it, it is best to get a professional to do it for you ahead of time. You may also need professionals to reinstall the stove at the new destination.
- Seal the stove doors using a few strips of packing tape. Use twist ties or rubber bands to secure all cords in place. Wrap the entire unit with protective cushioning, such as a moving blanket.
- Use a dolly or moving plank to move the stove unto your truck or van. Consider placing a piece of masonite in front of the stove to protect your floors.
- Plan a clear route to the vehicle before moving the stove to help you know precisely where you’re heading. The last thing you want to happen is to drop it because you’re not fully prepared. Create a ramp if you need to move a stove down or up a flight of stairs. For a demonstration, here’s a video that shows the steps to move a stove using a dolly.
- Line the back of the truck with a blanket before loading the stove on it. Doing so will prevent scratches to the stove and make it easy to push the stove into the back of the truck or van. Grab the edges of the blanket and pull when you need to unload the stove. Secure the stove at the back of the vehicle using ropes.
- Plan a clear route before unloading the stove when you get to your destination. A dolly will come in handy to help you get the stove back to its new location.
Conclusion
A stove is quite a bit of an investment, so you want to be sure it is protected when moving it. Transporting a stove on its sides is the safest way to move it from place to place without the risks of damaging the unit. You want to be cautious and follow the suggestions in this article.
However, other factors such as bad roads and poor driving might come into play and lead to a few broken parts regardless of how careful you are.
But do not fret if some parts come off en route and if your stove stops working properly when you set it back up in its new destination. The worst that can happen if any part of the stovetop becomes broken is that you may go a few days without cooking your favorite dishes! Thankfully, you can fix some of the common stovetop problems by yourself.
Apart from being careful when transporting your stove, it would help if you also learn how to safely use your stove to prevent potential risks, including injuries and kitchen fires.
Jake is a freelance writer from Pennsylvania who enjoys writing about science and sports. When he’s not writing for Temperature Master, he can be found watching the NFL or playing basketball with his friends.