How Much Does a Refrigerator Weigh?

Have you ever found yourself pondering refrigerator weight? How much a fridge weighs is a common question for people investing in a new refrigerator, whether they’re moving houses, or simply upgrading their appliances.

There are plenty of factors that can contribute to a refrigerator’s weight, most of them related to the specific type of refrigerator model, and any extra features it may have.

In this article, we’re going to determine what the average refrigerator weight is for different kinds of refrigerators. We’ll also outline some examples of refrigerator weights for models on the market today, and answer some frequently asked questions.

How Much Does a Refrigerator Weigh?

So, just how much do fridges weigh? If we’re talking about a full size average refrigerator, meant for home use, most refrigerator models in this category will weigh between 100-400 lbs

The reason for this large size range is because fridges weigh more or less depending on their additional product features, exact size, the material they’re made of, etc. A good thing to keep in mind when trying to determine refrigerator weight is the refrigerator size in terms of cubic feet.

On most refrigerator models, each cubic foot of space it has will equate to approximately 12 lbs of fridge weight. Keep this number in mind when looking at different refrigerator size ranges.

Of course, as we touched on above, this isn’t the only thing that impacts weight on most refrigerators. Different additions will increase the average weight of a fridge too. Let’s look at some popular refrigerator models in different styles to determine their average weight.

Top Freezer Refrigerators

Top freezer refrigerators are one of the more popular refrigerator models, and are a common inclusion on the showroom floor anywhere you can buy appliances. These refrigerators include a top freezer section for frozen foods, with a larger fridge storage space underneath the freezer.

The average weight of a top freezer refrigerator is around 166 pounds.

Bottom Freezer Refrigerators

A bottom freezer refrigerator is a fridge where the freezer compartment is located at the bottom of the fridge. This bottom freezer is often a pull out drawer, with a fridge door on top for food storage space.

In most cases, bottom freezer refrigerators weigh an average of 215 lbs.

French Door Refrigerators

French door refrigerator models are fridges that feature two double doors for super extensive refrigerator space. There will sometimes be a bottom freezer section on the bottom, or this fridge might just be all fridge.

This fridge’s weight is, on average, 317 lbs. This model is heavier than others on our list, mostly due to its larger size, and increased storage capacity.

Side by Side Refrigerators

Side by side refrigerators are also becoming more popular, acting as a perfect mixture of a french door refrigerator, as a freezer refrigerator model. This type of fridge has two side by side french doors, with one half of the fridge acting as fridge space, and the other acts as freezer space.

This model type is also considered a heavy fridge. A side by side refrigerator weight tends to be around 285 lbs.

Mini Fridges

If you don’t want a heavy refrigerator, then a mini fridge is definitely for you. There are a multitude of different fridge models when it comes to mini fridges, with some small enough for countertop use, and others big enough to permanently install into a room.

On average, though, a mini fridge will weigh 60 lbs, coming in as low as 10 lbs, or as high as 90. It all depends on the exact model of mini fridge you are using.

Factors That Impact Refrigerator Weight

As we touched on above, there are many different factors that can have a huge impact on what your refrigerator actually weighs. While the cubic foot capacity of a fridge is a good place to start when guessing an average refrigerator weight, different factors can make them weigh more or less than this number.

What exactly are those factors? They consist of the following:

Refrigerator Age

The exact age of your specific refrigerator model can have a big impact on how much your refrigerator weighs. Older models tend to be heavier, mainly because of the type of technology that makes up their cooling systems.

Modern refrigerators have sleek, lighter-in-weight cooling tubes and other advanced technologies that work to keep the interior cool. In comparison, older models are often equipped with propulsion tanks and larger cooling technologies that can greatly increase their overall weight.

This means if having a lightweight fridge matters to you, buying a newer model is something to consider. They tend to be sleeker, more compact, and lighter in weight.

Refrigerator Size

The size of your refrigerator can greatly impact its weight as well, both in terms of its internal capacity and its physical size.

The higher the internal capacity of your fridge and the larger the model, the more it’s going to weigh. The same goes for height! Depending on the layout of your space where you intend to put a fridge, you could purchase a fridge that’s anywhere from 15-25 feet tall! The increased height means increased size, and thus, a heavy refrigerator.

Refrigerator Model

As we’ve touched on above, the model of your fridge will also impact its weight.

Depending on the exact model of your fridge, you can expect it to weigh more or less. Of course, mini fridges weigh the least when compared to most fridge models, simply because they’re smaller refrigerators by design.

Full size refrigerators are similar in weight, but they will vary from model to model because of their overall design. Typically top freezer and bottom freezer refrigerators will weigh the least because they tend to be simpler in design.

Side by side refrigerators and french door models will weigh more on average. Usually, these fridges will have one or two drawers, and multiple handles on their doors, and also tend to have larger internal storage space.

Of course, these factors can vary depending on other factors. But in general, the ways different fridge models are designed can have them weighing more or less.

Additional Features

The inclusion of additional features on your specific fridge can also increase its weight.

For example, if your fridge is fitted with an ice dispenser, that means there’s extra technology embedded into the fridge which can increase its weight. Other features like edge-to-edge shelving and even smart fridge connectivity, can all impact refrigerator weight.

You also need to consider the interior features in your fridge, particularly the shelving. Some fridges utilize plastic shelving which can be super lightweight. Other models might opt for glass, which can drastically increase the weight overall.

Many of today’s refrigerator models will include features like this, which can do a lot to make your fridge an even better addition to your space! You just need to keep that additional weight impact in mind.

Why Does Refrigerator Weight Matter?

There are two different scenarios where the weight of your refrigerator will really impact you: safely placing it in your space, and moving your refrigerator.

When most people shop for fridges, they’re more concerned with the fancy features and fridge materials than they are with their weight. However, the weight of your fridge is perhaps the most important thing about it!

The floors in your space need to be able to safely support your refrigerator’s weight. While most homes should be able to handle a fridge of average weight, they can only handle so much depending on your home design.

It’s a good idea to figure out your flooring’s dead load measure and live load measure before purchasing a fridge. The dead load refers to the weight that your specific floor materials can handle, which can vary depending on floor type (ex/ wood floor, vinyl floor, concrete floor, tile floor). The live load refers to the weight it can hold of un-fixed items, such as people walking around. Again, this will also vary on your floor type.

The weight of your fridge also comes into play when it comes to moving a refrigerator. If you plan to transport it yourself or get it shipped, the weight could impact the way you move it and the overall cost of moving it. Fridge weight will also determine how easy it will be to install a fridge, or if you’ll need additional help to handle the weight.

Refrigerator Weight Examples

Curious to learn more about the average refrigerator weight for different kinds of fridges? On this list, we’re listing some of the most popular fridge models from today’s top refrigerator brands, outlining their brand, fridge type, weight, and capacity.

How to Move a Fridge

As fridges are so heavy, it’s a good idea to take great care when moving them, or else you could cause damage to both your fridge and your home.

Here are the steps you should follow if you intend to move your fridge:

Step 1: Empty Fridge

First, before moving a fridge, you’ll want to try to completely empty it. You don’t want to make any unintentional food waste in the moving process by letting things fall out or get jumbled up during the move.

Try to eat everything out of your fridge before attempting the move. If you can’t, put everything in coolers until your move is complete.

Step 2: Defrost Fridge

Next, you’ll want to completely defrost your fridge/freezer, and empty out the ice maker if your fridge has one. This process will differ from appliance to appliance, so be sure to read your refrigerator’s user manual.

Step 3: Secure Loose Wires

Once your fridge is empty and defrosted, you’ll want to tape up any loose wires and secure the fridge doors. You can do this by simply taping the doors closed and taping power cords to the fridge to minimize dragging/tripping over wires during the move.

Step 4: Move With Appliance Dolly

Next, it’s time to move your fridge. The easiest way to move refrigerators is with appliance dollies.

When using an appliance dolly, it’s best to lift up your fridge on its side, to avoid damaging the front or back of the fridge. Get your fridge on the dolly and secure it with safety straps.

It’s a good idea to have help when doing this! Refrigerators are extremely heavy and large appliances. Any size refrigerator will prove to be somewhat difficult to move. Be sure to ask for help, or even hire a professional mover if this step is one you can’t complete on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions people have about refrigerators and refrigerator weight.

What are the different kinds of refrigerators?

Different kinds of refrigerator models include:

• Top freezer refrigerator
• Bottom freezer refrigerator
• French door refrigerator
• Side by side refrigerator
• Mini refrigerator

What size refrigerator is good for a family of four?

Most refrigerator suppliers would recommend buying a refrigerator that is 19-22 cu ft in capacity if it’s going to be utilized by a family of four. This is the ideal size to hold a week’s worth of food. If you have a family that likes to stock up, though, we would recommend a fridge in the 30-33 cu ft size range.

How much weight does an ice maker add?

The amount of weight an ice maker adds to a fridge is usually around 20 lbs. However, this number can vary depending on the specific model and capacity of the ice maker.

How much weight can a fridge shelf hold?

The amount your fridge shelf can handle will vary, heavily relying on the exact model and type of material a shelf is made of. In general, a fridge shelf should hold up to 5 lbs of product, but this amount can be more or less depending on whether or not your fridge has plastic shelves or glass shelves.

Can I store items on top of my refrigerator?

In most cases yes, you can store items on top of refrigerators! Most average refrigerators can hold up to 50 lbs of items on their tops.

Check your specific refrigerator model to ensure it doesn’t have an exhaust at the top of the fridge. If it doesn’t, you can safely use the top for storage.

Can a refrigerator hurt my floors?

Some people are concerned that heavy weight refrigerators might damage their floors, especially when placing a heavy fridge on wooden floors. We can promise you that for the most part, a fridge won’t damage flooring unless you try to improperly drag/move them without a dolly.

If you are concerned about wood floor or vinyl floor damage from your fridge, you can always put a permanent floor covering in the area you want to place your fridge before installing it. This can give you peace of mind, and make it easier if you need to move your fridge in the future.

Joey Bruno

Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!