Stoves are fairly durable, so moving them shouldn’t be a big deal. Surely you can transport a stove on it’s back, can’t you? While electric and gas stoves are different, they have some things in common, like most of the delicate parts on the backside. I’ll walk you through what’s behind your stove, how to hook and unhook everything properly, and of course, the safest way to transport it. No one wants to make a big move only to discover they’ve created a big problem on arrival. From securing doors and broiler drawers to making sure your racks are out, there are many small considerations when moving a simple stove. For those who are relocating an old fashioned wood stove, no worries, there are no gas lines or mechanical parts to damage. For everyone else, here are the tips, tricks, and truths you need to do the job right.
Can you transport a stove on its back? You can transport a stove on it’s back. However, it’s generally recommended that you opt for moving it in a standing position or on one side instead. Although you’re less likely to harm a stove than, say, a refrigerator, there are gas hook-ups and electric cords to consider. Additionally, please do not transport your stove face-down as you could break the handle off your oven door.
Transporting a Stove on Its Back
Not all stoves are created equal, and as a result, some can be transported on their backs while others should never be moved this way. An old fashioned wood-stove has no gas lines, no power cords, circuits, or other modern bits to worry about. So you can toss this style on any side you like to get from point a to point b.
A glass-topped stove is the opposite of the old-fashioned and incredibly durable wood-stove. If you plan to relocate a glass-top, you need to make certain you can do so in a fully upright position. You should never lay a glass-top on its back, front, or sides as you risk shattering the top of your appliance in transit.
Intriguingly, most people do not fall into either the wood-stove or glass-top category. It is far more common to have either a gas or electric (spiral burner) stove. Resultantly, the rules for transport are neither completely strict nor lax as they are for these two less-used stove types.
Gas & Electric Stoves
Transporting gas and electric stoves is far more forgiving than moving their glass-topped companions. While it’s still not the best plan to transport a modern stove on it’s back, you can tilt these varieties on their sides to move them with little trouble. Gas stoves are the best for side-transport since they have little to no machinery inside to worry about.
When you plan to move a stove in on its side, it is still important to use extra caution. Make sure to use a padded moving-blanket to avoid scratching the painted finish off your stove. While a little scrape might not show when you place it beside the cabinets in your home, it will likely leave exposed metal. Unfortunately, the metal on your stove can rust over time, creating problems in the future.
If you choose to lay a gas or electric stove on it’s back, make sure any cords or hoses are well wrapped and use a padded surface. This will prevent you from damaging the connections you need or the back of your stove.
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Tips & Tricks For Moving Stoves
There are plenty of safe ways to transport a stove, and while the back is less than ideal, there are a few tricks you can use to make it easier to move. First, always measure. This may seem obvious, but you need to check your stove’s dimensions and the space it’s going to occupy in your home and your moving vehicle. However, you should also check doorways and any halls you might need to pass through if you don’t want to risk getting stuck mid-move.
Next, take a look at your proposed driving route. Especially if you are taking a stove on an open trailer, in the back of a pickup truck, or surrounded by potentially valuable household goods inside a moving van, this can make a huge difference. You need proper tie-downs and padding, or you could lose your stove on a tight turn. Similarly, a stove inside a moving van can and will tip, crushing other items and damaging itself if not packed properly.
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Moving a stove by hand is dangerous and may result in serious injury or damage. It is not as easy as figuring out what number is simmer on a stove. A simple, common-sense solution like a dolly or hand truck can save your back, hands, and the bones in your feet along with your stove.
Removing & Installing Your Stove
Before you can transport a stove on its back, or in any other position, you will have to disconnect it. If you’ve purchased a brand new model from a factory or furniture store, you can skip this step since it won’t be connected to anything. For everyone else, you mustn’t simply try to slide the whole stove out at once.
It would probably be best to learning can you use oven cleaner on stove top to clean it before moving it.
When you know how your stove is connected, it helps a great deal. Not everyone keeps their appliance manuals, and you may not be the first owner, but you can find copies on ManualsDir.com to help you ascertain what’s going on out of sight. Next, you want to gently tilt your stove backward and slide a hand truck underneath.
Take your time sliding the stove out. If you pull too fast, you could break a cord or gas line connected to the wall. A few extra seconds could save you a lot of expense and damage.
Once you have it far enough out to reach behind and unplug or disconnect any attachments, do so. Take the time to wrap up and secure the cord with a zip-tie if necessary. Then you want to remove any parts that come off of your stoves such as electrical burners and the plates below them. This is also an ideal time for deep cleaning.
Bag all your parts and put them away safely with the oven racks to reinstall later. Now you need to secure the door and the broiler pan below. Some people prefer moving tape, but I don’t like the sticky residue it leaves behind. You can use paracord or bungees wrapped around the stove to accomplish the same trick with no mess or waste.
Using a dolly and a ramp, carefully move the stove to the moving van or trailer you plan to use for transport. Make use of moving blankets or tie-downs as needed and secure your stove so it will not move during transit. No one wants a loose stove banging around or even rolling onto the highway.
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Installing your stove is a simple reversal of this process. Make sure you plug in or hook up any gas lines first so that your stove will work when you turn it on. Put your racks back inside along with any other easily detachable parts you pulled off to keep them from getting lost or damaged in the move.
Final Thoughts
If space is tight and you absolutely must transport your stove on it’s back, be sure to secure well and drive carefully. Hopefully, you can turn your stove on a side or leave it standing up instead. Since the risk of damage is minimal using other methods the back-transport method is not ideal.
Taking some time to remove some parts and secure the broiler and stove door can save you a lot of hassle. Similarly, burner covers on a gas stove or the electrical elements and metal plates come off. Pack these in a box with padding and keep them near, or inside the oven during transport to prevent losing them.
Moving a stove isn’t as complex as moving a refrigerator or similar item with a coolant system. Wrap your cords or gas line up and add some padding below if you can’t move your stove in a better position.
