How to Move and Store a Stove or Oven

If you’re planning a move to an unfurnished home, or if you simply need to get rid of old appliances you’re replacing, you may have considered how much effort it takes to get a large kitchen appliance from one place to another. These appliances take special care to move properly, and even more care must be taken when that appliance is a stove or oven–large and heavy cooking appliances still have delicate parts that can break easily.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to be sure your appliance gets from point A to point B with a minimum of fuss, from making a pre-move checklist to using the right equipment to keeping your appliance in a self-storage unit while you sort out your space. In this article, we’ll go over some of the steps we recommend you take when deciding how to move an oven or stove.

Why might I need to move a stove?

Here’s a list of reasons you should consider moving and storing kitchen appliances.

• Moving to a new home. If you own your appliances and your new home isn’t furnished, you probably want to bring your stove with you.
• Renovating or remodeling your kitchen. Large appliances such as stoves need to be out of the way while you’re painting, wallpapering, or putting new cabinets in a kitchen space.
• Downsizing or eliminating what you don’t need. If you aren’t using a large appliance, it’s helpful to put it into storage to save space or declutter your kitchen. This also goes for appliances you may be keeping in a garage or attic.
• Estate management. Inherited property can include appliances that you can put into storage to save space.
• Managing seasonal property. If you own a rental property such as a beach house, disconnecting and putting large appliances in storage units during the off season will help them last much longer.
• Upgrading appliances. Placing an older stove in storage once you’ve replaced it with a newer model preserves its quality while you look for a place to sell or recycle it.
• Rental property transitions. Whether you need to access the space to clean it or you’re replacing the unit entirely, there are plenty of reasons to store an oven while preparing for a new tenant to move into your rental property.
• Relocating a commercial oven. In the case of a business or restaurant owner, moving from one location to another often means bringing equipment along with you, especially ovens for large-scale cooking tasks.
• Insurance claims and restoration. You should store a damaged stove or oven while making an insurance claim to ensure the value is properly preserved. It’s also easier to restore a damaged oven while it’s not located in your kitchen.
• Extended vacation or travel arrangements. You should disconnect your oven (especially a gas oven) while you’re away from home for a while, even more so to put it in a storage unit.

Different scenarios will require different lengths of storage time. A kitchen restoration may take just a few days, while storing an oven you’ve received from an inheritance may require months.

What should I do before I move a stove?

Before renting equipment and units, put together a checklist of tasks to plan out how to move an oven. Here are a few categories worth considering when making this checklist.

Make sure you have everything you need

Write down each of the pieces of the oven or stove you’ll be moving, whether large or small–you may have to partially disassemble the appliance before you move it and you won’t want to lose any important parts. You should also take stock of the tools and supplies you’ll need for reassembly and moving heavy objects.

Gather any related manuals, warranties, and other documentation for the appliance you’re moving, and take photos of the appliance to make sure it arrives at its destination without damage.

Plan for time and space requirements

Measure your appliance’s height, weight, and depth so you can select a vehicle and a storage unit that will have enough space for it. Be sure to have a solid idea of when you’re planning to move your appliance so you can make transportation arrangements in advance, and consider whether it’s worth hiring outside help for kitchen appliance storage.

Clean your appliance

Give your appliance a deep interior and exterior clean while it’s disconnected from the wall to be sure no grime or bacteria will cause it to rust or oxidize. Making sure there aren’t any stains or spots before storing your oven means it will last longer and won’t sustain damage.

Give gas stoves special care

Gas stoves need to be disconnected from their gas lines and handled with extra care so as not to release any flammable gas into the air. Heating elements in gas stoves and ovens can also be fragile, and it’s important to clean under any raised elements or grilles before moving the unit.

The best way to move your stove or oven

Once you’ve taken care of everything on your checklist, there are still plenty of important considerations when moving day comes around. Here are a few tips on how to move an oven with care.

Use the right equipment

Make sure you have a dolly that can handle the weight and mass of your oven before trying to move it, and use proper straps and harnesses when you need to lift it. Having furniture sliders or moving blankets on hand will take much of the stress out of moving the appliance over floors, and considering the oven’s dimensions before choosing a vehicle will help you choose a ramp that can handle its weight.

Use safe moving techniques

Moving heavy appliances on your own is never a good idea, so have friends or family members on hand to help you lift. Research proper lifting posture (such as lifting with your legs and not your back), and distribute weight evenly between yourself and your lifting partners. Clear pathways before you move, and be prepared to pivot around hallways and stairs.

Secure the appliance properly during moving

Once the oven is actually in the moving vehicle, secure it with straps in a corner position where it won’t slide around or damage other items in the space. Be extra careful if you’re moving during wet or icy weather, as taking corners too fast can put stress on the items in your vehicle.

Should I hire professional moving services?

If you aren’t confident in your ability to move your oven yourself, it’s worth looking into hiring movers to take care of it for you. However, keep in mind that some large appliances require an upcharge, especially gas stoves, to cover the extra care taken while moving.

How can I avoid damaging delicate parts of my oven?

If your oven has a glass door, wrap the unit in bubble wrap and fill the oven with packing material to minimize the likelihood of it breaking. You should also detach other moving parts, like heating elements and racks, and move them separately before reassembling at your destination.

What should I consider when storing a kitchen appliance?

Moving an oven is one thing, but choosing the right storage unit to put your appliances into is another matter entirely. We at Storage.com are experts, here to help you learn the best strategies on how to store appliances and find the right storage unit near you. 

Before selecting storage

Use the measurements you’ve taken, along with your estimate of what else you’ll be storing, to select the right size storage unit for your needs. Be sure to have an idea of what else you’ll be storing–you shouldn’t stack heavy items on top of your oven, or worse, store them inside it. It’s best to store the oven upright in the position it would be in your house so any moving parts that are still attached don’t slide around or fall out.

Take some time to consider whether or not to select a climate-controlled facility. In areas with extreme temperatures or humidity, climate controlled self storage can ensure your appliances are protected from the elements in a predictable environment, and are often worth the extra investment.

Finally, consider how secure the storage facility you select will be and whether or not to invest in insurance coverage for your appliance, both of which will help your peace of mind through the storage process. The location of the facility will also factor into your decision, whether you’re planning on how often to visit your unit or just minimizing your moving distance.

How do I select the right size unit?

There is some room for error when selecting a storage unit size, but you can save lots of time and hassle by knowing what you need going in. Most appliances will fit in a 10 x 20 or 10 x 30 unit along with the entire contents of a multiple-bedroom house, but smaller units may fit your needs better if you’re just storing the oven. Take a look at our self storage size guide for a breakdown of what different sizes are best for.

During storage

When you’re storing an oven for a long time, check in on it from time to time to make sure it’s clean and undamaged. Wipe down your oven whenever you check in on it, and check on the unit’s ventilation and monitor any moisture so you can raise these concerns with facility management before they become a problem. Look for any potential pests or signs of rust–a good storage facility will have precautions in place to keep these away.

Find Heavy Appliance and Oven Storage with Storage.com

There are plenty of variables to contend with when figuring out how to move and store an oven or stove. Having all the parts and the right moving equipment, having extra hands to help you lift and move the appliance, and selecting the right storage unit to protect your oven from damage are all worth looking into for a hassle-free move.

For complicated moves, consider hiring external help. Through proper handling and self storage, your oven will maintain its quality and value for an extended time, and Storage.com is here to help you make the right moving and storage decisions for your needs. Take a look at our handy storage search tool to help you pick the right facility, or give us a call at (833) 389-5397 to speak with one of our experts.