right-side opening Fridge/Freezers

Thanks for the responses.
I've really got no problem giving this kind of thing a go - although a hernia operation 6 months ago does mean that I cannot really lift anything heavy.

My fear is that I'd buy one and find that it isn't 5-10 or even 20-30 minutes to complete, but requires removing half of the fridge and then re-assembling!
If most of them are very straight forward then maybe I'll just take the plunge.
Am I right in thinking that if there is a water dispenser on the front the job can be a lot more difficult?

We went into Comet and that is where we were told £60. John Lewis wanted £50 which I still feel is quite a lot.
When I mentioned this I was told they are "special order". SO in other words someone at the main depot makes the change and ships it through as a right-hand opener and that guys is worth £60 for 5 minutes work :)

We did actually walk out of both establishments as they were adamant that prices for this were fixed and there was "nothing they could do" (and in this economic climate!).
 
I seem to remember that if the appliance is laid down then you need to leave it for an hour or so to let the gas in the compressor 'settle'

it's to allow the coolant to settle or you will just burn out the compressor

1hour if transported in the upright position and never tilted during delivery
12 hours if laid flat at any point
24 hours if upside down at any point
 
LOL! :p

You can swap the door by changing the brackets usually not that difficult.

I seem to remember that if the appliance is laid down then you need to leave it for an hour or so to let the gas in the compressor 'settle'

Not sure if this is true or an 'old wives tale'

It is true, usually a couple of hours after transit & I would say moving a fridge on its back or side would be called 'transit' as well. It does say this on some fridge instruction manuals. I've swapped hinges on fridge doors loads of times for customers in the past when I used to sell them. I'd either have the fridge delivered to the shop 1st, change the door opening, re-pack as best I can & the delivery chaps deliver, Or go to the customers after delivery & swap them over there. A small goodwill gesture in order to get the sale. I wouldn't be able to do this now, All this Health and Safety Malarkey. :(
 
Get a Smeg. You either go rh or lh as they cannot be switched...




... which is actually a massive pita when you move and could really do with a lh opening fridge. Also the freezer is not frost free, which in a £1200 appliance is a joke.

But it does look nice.
 
Well I guess that could open up a complete new thread!
Which fridge/freezer should we be going for?
We need one of the small ones - I haven't got the dimensions in front of me at the moment, but the kitchen is small and of the standard sizes available ours needs to be the relatively small one (possibly 55cm wide? Maybe 75cm - I'll check LOL).
Fridge/Freezer needs to be around 50/50 ratio. Reliable and frost-free.

Oh, and easy to change the door from left opening to right opening :)
 
Based on a quick look at my fridge, I would need to undo two screws in the middle to take both fridge and freezer door off, move the bracket over, slot the doors back into place. It looks like a 2, maybe 3 minute long job.

And that is by design, most fridges are basically design to have the door hinges swap sides so the fridge can be placed anywhere in a kitchen.
 
The issue with a fridge freezer on its side etc is more to do with the oil in the compressor, if it gets into the system and you turn it on it will freezer and your nice shiny new fridge freezer is a right off.

As for changing the doors, it is pretty straight t forward to be honest.
 
Well I guess that could open up a complete new thread!
Which fridge/freezer should we be going for?
We need one of the small ones - I haven't got the dimensions in front of me at the moment, but the kitchen is small and of the standard sizes available ours needs to be the relatively small one (possibly 55cm wide? Maybe 75cm - I'll check LOL).
Fridge/Freezer needs to be around 50/50 ratio. Reliable and frost-free.

Oh, and easy to change the door from left opening to right opening :)

I don't know what brand you should go for but if you want a recommendation on a place to buy from online then
http://www.coopelectricalshop.co.uk
Have treated me well, all of my current white goods are from them because of there free rapid delivery and they seem to have almost everything available for next day delivery unlike a lot of places.
my combi microwave started making a grinding noise from the turntable motor and coop arranged a courier swap for the very next day :O
All of my deliveries from them have always been early in the morning as well which is always nice although you get a 60minute time slot anyway on the day of delivery so wouldn't have to wait around

If you want something cheap then
http://www.coopelectricalshop.co.uk...ridge-Freezer-in-White/id-BEK-FFR-CF5533APW-W
Would probably serve you well and only 54.5cm wide
frost free but no digital temp controls or LCD display though

I have one in my pantry for extra fridge/freezer space and it's pretty good quality for the price and appears well built inside and out
 
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Well I guess that could open up a complete new thread!
Which fridge/freezer should we be going for?
We need one of the small ones - I haven't got the dimensions in front of me at the moment, but the kitchen is small and of the standard sizes available ours needs to be the relatively small one (possibly 55cm wide? Maybe 75cm - I'll check LOL).
Fridge/Freezer needs to be around 50/50 ratio. Reliable and frost-free.

Oh, and easy to change the door from left opening to right opening :)

What budget are you looking at?
 
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