A gas or electrical oven is a heavy, bulky appliance, and could injure you, others, your flooring, walls or doors and the vehicle you load it into if anything goes awry. The oven itself may also be damaged.
Accordingly, moving an oven is a job that’s best left to a professional removals company or, at minimum, a group of two to three strong, experienced movers with a suitable trolley.
It’s a good idea to prepare the oven ahead of time and to remain on-site to supervise the operation. To protect your oven from damage, follow our ten tips.
Preparing an oven for storage
A clean, dry appliance can survive months, or even years, in storage. Scrub the inside and outside of your cooking range to remove any vestiges of food. Then dry all surfaces thoroughly to avoid the formation of mould, mildew and rust.
Tip 1: You can use conventional oven cleaner – and plenty of elbow grease – or go the more natural, non-toxic route. We recommend a paste of baking soda and water liberally applied to the inside of the oven and left to stand overnight. You can remove the paste with a clean cloth that has been lightly dampened with hot water and a drizzle of white wine vinegar.
Tip 2: Remove the grills and racks and pop them into a sink of boiling hot water and dishwashing liquid. Use a scouring pad or steel wool to get rid of any fatty build-up or stubborn dirt. Allow to dry and wrap each item in bubble wrap. Then label and set aside for removals day.
Tip 3: Securely tape the oven door closed with duct tape to protect it during the removals process.
Best oven moving techniques
The best way to move an oven is to slip moving pads or scrap pieces of laminate under each corner or foot. That way, the removals team protects the appliance, the kitchen flooring and their backs. You’ll need a crowbar to lift the oven in order to place the sliders front and back.
Once the pads are in place, move the oven gently from side to side until it pulls away from the wall. Unplug the appliance from the wall socket, tape the plug cord to the back of the stove and use a moving dolly to transport it to the removals van.
Tip 4: Place a scrap piece of wood under the tip of the crowbar to protect the flooring.
Tip 5: If the tip of the crowbar doesn’t fit under the front of the stove, use a screwdriver and piece of wood as leverage instead.
Tip 6: If you can’t get to the back of the oven to place the sliders, remove the warming draw and use the opening as an access point.
Tip 7: Load the oven, and any other large appliances, into the back of the removals van last and transport it in an upright position. Remember to stash the removable racks and grills in the van at the same time.
Oven storage tips
Once the stove is in the storage unit, remove the tape from the door and leave it slightly ajar. This will allow a free flow of air to prevent the build-up of mould or mildew. Place the racks and grills on top of the stove and cover the appliance with a blanket or dust sheet to protect it from dust, dings and dents.
Tip 8: Place an open box of baking soda into the oven to prevent the build-up of unpleasant odours.
Tip 9: You can maximise the available storage space by packing small items into the oven and on the stove top.
Tip 10: Only use a reputable self-storage provider that has clean, dry and hygienic storage units and the best security money can buy.
At XtraSpace SelfStorage, we don’t assist with moves, but we do offer secure, affordable self-storage units, ideal for storing ovens, other large appliances and general household goods. Find a branch near you or contact us online to discuss your storage requirements and we’ll be happy to assist.