Your family needs a new refrigerator as the old one is not keeping food cold, and with summer just around the corner, there's plenty of yummy food to be eaten. You already have a basic wish list of refrigerator features you would like in your new icebox. But, have you added the wheels to the list? Wheels are certainly not a part of the fridge that buyers think about before purchase, but it can be a problem after purchase if the wheels don't suit your needs. These are two interesting points to consider about refrigerator wheels.

Moving the fridge

Many fridge owners move this appliance into place in their home and don't think about it again until they move out. However, this philosophy leads to a thick build up of dust and grime beneath the fridge which is neither hygienic nor sanitary.

It is recommended to move the fridge out of its space for cleaning at least once a month for two reasons. Firstly, you can mop and disinfect the floor beneath the fridge to remove built up grunge. The regular cleaning extends the life of your kitchen floor. Secondly, you can vacuum away dust and cobwebs clogging up the vents around the base of the fridge. The removal of this debris leads to a more energy efficient fridge because refrigerator coils covered with dirt can't quickly release heat. This dirtiness means the coil needs to work harder to keep the fridge cold. A fridge with smooth gliding wheels makes the regular movement of a fridge a non-issue.

Lockable wheels

Once you move the refrigerator to its usual location, a mechanism for locking the wheels in place is a must have for a home with young children. While a fridge does require some force to move it, it is possible for a school-age child to shift it if they tug on the open door hard enough.

There are two ways to lock refrigerator wheels to stop the appliance from moving. One mechanism is similar to a bed frame wheel. A latch on the side of the wheel is pushed down and against the wheel which stops the wheel from moving. The second option is to use the levelling screws on the fridge to lower legs to the floor. Once the legs are on the floor, they are lower than the wheels, so the wheels no longer touch the floor at all.

Now you are aware of why refrigerator wheels need to be given some consideration; you can thoughtfully ask the right questions about wheels while narrowing down the choice of your new family refrigerator.