It’s rare for people to want to move their oven if they’re moving house. Most people include the oven as part of the household chattels, but you don’t have to include your oven if you want to take it with you and can exclude it from the chattels. For example, you may have an expensive oven and don’t want to pay for another or settle for a downgrade.

Here’s how to move your oven and make light work of a heavy appliance.

1. Make sure you can move it

Get a measuring tape and measure all the doorways and pathways to get it outside and onto the truck. Any oven that got installed during a new build or kitchen renovation may have had an easier time going in than coming out. It pays to check so you don’t hit an impassable barrier later.

2. Detach your oven from its power source

Here’s the most important step that you won’t want to leave until the last minute. Modern ovens now come with a regular plug for the power point, so they’re easy to unplug. Older ovens were hardwired to the power, and if this is the case, you’ll need a registered electrician to detach your oven safely.

3. Cleaning

You’ll want to thoroughly clean the outside of the oven before packing it for moving, but this is a great time to give the inside a good clean too. Cleaning the oven is a task most people don’t enjoy, so consider treating yourself to a professional oven cleaner to bring back the shine.

4. Consult the user manual

User manuals often have handling instructions for safety, so track down a copy and consult the manual to prepare for moving it. If you don’t have a copy on hand, go to the manufacturer’s website.

5. Packing materials

Moving rollers and a dolly.
Moving blankets.
Packing tape.
Bubble wrap.

6. Disassemble

Every item is easier to move if you can disassemble some of the parts. We’re not talking about pulling your oven apart, but removing the grates, drawer, gas outlets and so forth. Some models have doors you can easily remove, significantly reducing weight.

7. The oven door

If you can remove the door, do so and pack it separately. Protect the glass with a sheet of cardboard or similar packing material on both sides, wrap it with bubble wrap and box it. A small television or picture box will do the trick.

If the door doesn’t come off, secure it shut. The easiest way is to use packing tape, but this may leave sticky residue, so if you can do it with zip ties or another method, do that instead.

8. Using moving rollers

Rollers are essential to make moving heavy items easier and to prevent damaging floors. In most cases you can slide the roller under the oven, winch it up and wheel it out. If not, you’ll need to lift the front and slide the oven onto the rollers or a moving dolly.

Wall ovens need to be lifted out of their cavity. Get two strong people to lift it out and rest it on the rollers or dolly ready for wrapping and moving.

9. Wrap your oven

It’s best to wrap the oven in bubble wrap as the first layer of protection. Then wrap it again with moving blankets, which offers better protection against dents or damage while in the truck. You’re all done. Wheel your oven to the moving truck and load it.

10. Any doubts? Ask a professional.

Moving an oven is a tricky job and potentially dangerous. If you have even the smallest doubt about any step in the process, talk to a professional. You’re welcome to call us if you need any advice. We’re always on hand to help.