Is it possible to put a refrigerator on a refrigerator and why such an installation is dangerous

When installing household appliances in the kitchen, the question often arises of how to correctly use every free meter.

Sometimes it is necessary to place two small refrigerators on top of each other, or to install a refrigerator on top of a freezer.

We'll tell you if it's worth it. And what other appliances can be installed on the refrigerator. And in addition, we will share secrets on how else you can save space in the kitchen.

What is the danger of installing a refrigerator on a refrigerator

In a small kitchen, it is tempting to save space and stack two low-rise refrigerators on top of each other.

This is fraught with unpleasant consequences:

• deformation of the lower refrigerator under the weight of the upper one;
• mechanical damage to the body and violation of the integrity of the refrigerating chamber of the lower refrigerator due to constant pressure and gravity from above;
• the fall of the upper refrigerator due to vibration and its failure;
• overheating of devices due to lack of air circulation from below;
• frequent breakdowns and complete failure of compressors due to their close proximity to two devices;
• breakdowns of the unit standing at the bottom due to the ingress of liquid from defrosting the upper refrigerator;
• overload of the electrical network and malfunctions due to the imposition of electromagnetic fields.

The recommendations of experts are unequivocal: it is better not to put refrigerators on top of each other. And before installing any device, you should carefully study the instructions for the specific purchased model.

Refrigerator Installation Requirements

Proper installation of the refrigerator is much more important than it might seem at first glance.It affects the efficiency, duration and safety of equipment operation.

Consider the important rules that must be observed when installing a refrigerator:

• Choosing the right place. The most important parameter. The refrigerator should be placed away from heat sources, sinks and drainpipes, and preferably away from a window. This is required in order to prevent overheating and premature wear, protect against condensation and excess moisture, and prevent the case from fading from the sun. Also, you can not operate the refrigerator in the cold, for example, in winter on an uninsulated balcony.
  

• Accounting for the characteristics of the floor at the installation site. The floor must be firm, durable and even. A floor with a concrete base and floor tiling is ideal. A thick and durable plank floor is also good (thicker than 30 mm and without wide gaps). If the floor is springy and thin, with many gaps and crevices, this will lead to more noisy operation and an early failure of the motor. On such a floor under the refrigerator, you will need to put a plywood layer at least 5 mm thick for cushioning and stability.
• Access to electricity. Refrigerators are demanding on power surges, and can fail because of this. Ideally, connect the appliance directly to a grounded socket. Using extension cords and tees to connect multiple electrical appliances can overload the network.

• Accounting for the distance to the walls, floor and ceiling. It is important to provide clearances for air circulation. So, there should be at least 10 cm to the ceiling, and about 7-10 cm to the back and side walls. The required clearance to the floor is regulated by the height of the rear wheels and front legs.
• Use of anti-slip elements. If the floors are slippery, you should purchase special stickers under the legs to prevent the refrigerator from slipping.

These are the basic rules for installing a refrigerator. But even knowing them, it will not be superfluous to study the instructions with recommendations for installing a specific model.

The installation of built-in refrigerators, as well as models with ice generators, may have some nuances.

Installation on the freezer

Installing a refrigerator on a freezer, or vice versa, is highly undesirable and even dangerous.

And that's why:

• the lower unit will be overloaded and deformed due to the weight of the upper one;
• vibration of devices will disrupt the operation of both devices at once, in addition, vibration can threaten to shift, slip and fall of the upper device;
• the proximity of refrigeration compressors to each other will overload them, which ultimately can significantly reduce the life of the equipment;
• if the top-mounted refrigerator or freezer is equipped with an automatic defrost capability, the dripping water will inevitably damage and disable the bottom-mounted refrigeration equipment.

If, nevertheless, these precautions are neglected and the refrigerator is installed on the freezer, this will lead to frequent breakdowns and costly repairs of devices, as well as to their soon complete failure.

And the desire to save space in the kitchen can result in large expenses for the purchase of new household appliances.

How to fix the refrigerator from above

Almost all refrigerators were originally conceived for floor installation. Therefore, wall mounting is not provided. In addition, the very idea of ​​stacking refrigerators on top of each other is fraught with many troubles in practice.

But if the footage of the kitchen forces you to take such a desperate risk, you should take a closer look at wall-mounted refrigerators or refrigerated cabinets.

This is a small segment of low-capacity refrigeration equipment. It is permissible to install it on another refrigerator or hang it on a special mount-bracket.

However, it is unlikely to replace a full-fledged refrigerator. Rather, a refrigerator is useful for storing medicines, cosmetics or drinks. But its weight will not create such a serious load on the lower refrigerator. And when using the bracket, it will not affect the operation of the lower refrigerator at all.

The main thing is that the attachment of the wall-mounted refrigerator is strong and carefully calculated for its weight when filled.

It is important that it was about the possibility of top installation only for small and light models. To fix heavy full-fledged refrigerators from above is not only not practical, but also dangerous.

What household appliances can be installed on the refrigerator

Only light appliances that are not subject to strong heat and will not be an additional source of heat can be installed on the refrigerator.

You can install the following equipment:

1. 1. Radio. The device weighs little, does not heat up, and is able to brighten up the time for cooking.
   2. Digital Watch. They may well take place on the refrigerator without harming it. And the watch itself in such a place will be reliably protected from moisture.
   3. Digital photoframes. You can arrange a photo gallery on the refrigerator from electronic frames with changing frames. But you need to take into account the distance from the stove so that splashes of fat do not fall.
   4. Blender, mixer, coffee maker, juicer or electric kettle for storage. There, this technique may well be stored between uses. But the equipment must be clean and dry. So, you can not put an electric kettle with water on the refrigerator, which is used daily.
   5. Microwave oven without grill function. It should be placed on the refrigerator only if it is used exclusively for heating. But the microwave in which it is planned to cook food, as well as models equipped with a grill, cannot be kept on the refrigerator. They will give off a lot of heat.
   6. Lightweight TV with a small screen. It is allowed to install only light modern models with a small diagonal. They will not get very hot and overload the refrigerator with their weight. It is even better to put the TV not on the refrigerator itself, but to place it on a special bracket in the area above the refrigerator. This separation will be useful for both devices.
   7. Nice electric car. It will serve as an original decor for the kitchen, and just use the free space above the refrigerator. It can be both a souvenir and a full-fledged version of the technique. The main thing is that it should only go to the refrigerator in a clean and dried form.

Additional ways to save space

Consider how else you can save space and usefully use the free area above the refrigerator.

The easiest option is to choose boxes, containers, boxes, boxes and baskets that match the style of the kitchen. They can be placed on the refrigerator and organize there additional space for storing household items.

You can also place indoor potted plants there. But at the same time, the pots should not have drainage holes, or the risk of spilling water on the household appliance should be excluded. Drought-resistant succulents that do not require frequent watering are ideal.

A bottle holder can be placed above the refrigerator. In addition to its practical purpose in the form of storing drinks, it will also become a worthy decoration of the kitchen, giving it a special charm and zest. In addition, drinks in fragile containers above the refrigerator will be reliably protected from access by pets and children.

The bottle can simply be put on the refrigerator. And it can also be either a continuation of the niche in which the refrigerator is “hidden”, or in the form of a separately hanging shelf with cells.

Above the refrigerator, you can hang shelves for storing decor items, small dishes and household appliances, souvenirs and even books. So you can unload other storage areas in the kitchen, and at the same time add comfort to the room.

Another option for efficient use of space requires effort. But on the other hand, it will pay off with the appearance of additional storage space and giving the kitchen design a concise and complete look. To do this, you need to build on the headset, extending it in the area above the refrigerator.

The top level of the additional section should be flush with the rest of the height of the headset. Craftsmen can try to implement this idea on their own. But it is easier and more reliable to turn to professionals.

Now any furniture showroom, according to individual measurements, will produce the required product in a short time.

Useful video

About whether it is possible to put heavy objects on the refrigerator (using the example of a microwave), they tell in the video: