Do you have a mini fridge or are you thinking about getting one? What should I put under my mini fridge once I install it? In this article we’ll give you some quick tips on set up and what you should set your fridge on.
A mini fridge is a great addition for everyone from over the road truck drivers, RVs, bedroom or rec room, since it gives you a convenient place to store some extra food or drinks that you might want to have nearby.
Related: Accessories for Truck Drivers
For pro truck drivers in particular, you can save money and manage your health by bringing your own food and drinks.
No matter where you use your mini fridge, if you want your fridge to run well, it’s important that you know how to set it up correctly.
What should I put under my mini fridge?
Depending on the surface your fridge is resting on, it may be necessary to put something under your mini fridge. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should not place your fridge on a surface that could restrict the airflow underneath the fridge.
Today, we’ll be talking about everything you should know about setting up your mini fridge in terms of what surfaces you can place it on.
Should I Put Something Under My Mini Fridge?
It’s not always necessary to put something under your mini fridge. Ultimately, whether or not you should depends on the surface your fridge is on and how much space is between the bottom of your fridge and the floor.
That being said, this practice is only really necessary if your fridge’s condenser coils are located underneath the fridge. If you’re not familiar with what these are, the condenser coils are a vital part of your fridge’s cooling system. They’re responsible for cooling and condensing your fridge’s refrigerant, which helps remove heat from the fridge.
Beware Fire Risk!
Whether your using your mini fridge in a sleeper area, dorm or office remember to plug your fridge in directly and refrain from using extension cords. Also, don’t bypass the grounding prong on the cord. Doing these two things can help reduce the risk of fire.
If the condenser coils don’t get enough airflow, then they’ll be unable to work very efficiently, and your fridge will have to expend a lot more energy in order to keep itself cool. At best, this will result in a higher electricity bill; at worst, this can put a lot of strain on your fridge’s internal components and potentially damage them.
What To Put Under Your Mini Fridge
If your mini fridge is on a hard, flat surface and there’s a good amount of space between the bottom of the mini fridge and said surface, then there’s probably no need to put anything under it. If you do need to put something under it, however, there are a few things you can use.
If you don’t want to spend a ton of money, you can use something like a sheet of plywood, a piece of vinyl or linoleum flooring, or a rubber mat. This will help with the air circulation and prevent any water that drips out of the fridge from damaging your actual floors.
It seems like a no brainer, but deal with the mini fridge leak first then work on getting the carpet dried out.
If you’re ok with spending a little extra money, however, the best thing to do is get a base for your mini fridge. There are plenty of adjustable bases available online (like this one on amazon) that can be used with a variety of appliances, including fridges, washing machines, and dryers.
Aside from providing your fridge with extra elevation, you can also use such a base to straighten your fridge out if the surface it’s sitting on is uneven. It’s important that your fridge is on a level surface, as this helps the doors remain properly sealed when they’re shut.
Is It Safe to Put a Mini Fridge On a Carpet?
There are plenty of places where you can put a mini fridge, but one thing is for sure; it’s never a good idea to put a fridge on top of a carpet.
As discussed here, If your fridge’s condenser coils are located underneath the fridge, as is the case with a lot of fridges, then the carpet will both restrict the airflow to the coils and retain a lot of heat around the coils. As you can probably guess, this can easily cause the fridge to overheat.
Putting a mini fridge directly on carpet can damage the carpet. Use a pedestal or a drain pan to put the fridge on.
In addition, putting your mini fridge directly on your carpet might cause some damage to the carpet itself. If it gets hot enough underneath the fridge, it could potentially damage the carpet fibers and leave them burnt or melted.
Your fridge can also damage your carpet if it experiences a problem that causes it to defrost. In this case, you’ll wind up with a bunch of water soaked into your carpet, which can result in mildew and other damages.
All of that being said, however, you don’t need to worry as much about putting your mini fridge on a carpeted surface if your fridge’s condenser coils are located on the back of the fridge instead of underneath it.
You should still consider putting something under the fridge to protect the carpet if the fridge happens to leak, but you shouldn’t have any problems with airflow if the condenser coils are on the back.
Where Not to Put a Mini Fridge
So, we know that it’s not a good idea to place a mini fridge on a non-level surface, nor is it a good idea to place it on a carpet (if the condenser coils are on the bottom). But where are some other places you should avoid putting your mini fridge?
If your fridge has its condenser coils on the back, then you should avoid placing it too close to a wall. You should always leave at least 1 to 1 1/2 inches of space between your fridge’s condenser coils and whatever surface the coils are closest to.
You should also take care not to put your fridge too close to another heat source, as this can potentially cause your fridge’s internal components to overheat.
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If you’re placing your fridge on top of a fridge stand, take care that the fridge is centered properly on the stand. An off-balance fridge can easily tip over, and even though you’re not likely to be injured severely by a falling mini fridge, this is still something you should try and avoid.
Finally, if you’re planning on moving your mini fridge around at any point, it’s always best to try and avoid tipping it over on its side. Tipping a fridge on its side will displace the compressor oil, which your fridge’s compressor needs in order to run.
If you do end up tipping your fridge on its side while moving it, let it sit upright for an hour or so before turning it on. This will allow the compressor oil to drain back into the compressor.
What should I put under my mini fridge…Conclusion
When setting up your mini fridge, it’s important to place it on the right surface. Ideally, you want to maintain enough space between the fridge’s condenser coils and the floor/wall, and you also want to make sure that your fridge is sitting as level as possible.
While it might not seem like it, doing these things will help your fridge run much more efficiently and ultimately help keep it running for longer.
More Reading: Can I power a mini fridge with solar?
