Ever wondered how much weight a refrigerator can hold? Is it bad to store things like cereal boxes on top of your fridge?
You can put up to 60 pounds (25 kg) or more on top of a refrigerator. Most fridges can withstand the weight of food and small appliances like microwaves. However, it is generally a good idea to keep that space empty, as it will allow heat to escape and help your fridge work better.
In this article, I will discuss how much weight a standard fridge can hold. I will also go over some reasons you might not want to place things on top of your fridge.
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See What the Owner’s Manual Says
The first thing you should look at is what the owner’s manual says about putting stuff on top of your fridge. It may tell you that it is best not to put anything on top of the fridge (I will explain the reasons for this later in this article). Alternatively, it may tell you how much weight your fridge can hold.
Putting Light vs. Heavy Things on Top of Your Fridge
Generally, a fridge can hold most light things. As I will discuss later on, it may not be recommended, but a standard-sized fridge will hold items such as cereal boxes, extra grocery bags, fruits, vegetables, pasta, and the like.
Heavy things, on the other hand, are best not put on top of a fridge. Fridges are not designed to have items stored on top of them. If your fridge is small or on wheels, it can be especially problematic, as the wheels are only designed to be strong enough to withstand the fridge’s weight and the food you put inside, not things like wine coolers on top of the refrigerator.
You can probably put things that weigh up to 60 pounds (25 kg) or even more on your fridge.
The Dangers of Putting Things on Top of Your Refrigerator
Although your fridge can generally hold the weight of small or mid-sized items, it is not recommended to place things on top of your fridge for several reasons. In this section, I will go over some of the dangers of putting things on top of your fridge.
Heat Won’t Be Able to Escape
There is a reason many owner’s manuals say not to put anything on top of your fridge. They say this not because the refrigerator can’t handle the weight of most small and mid-sized items but rather because heat is designed to escape from the fridge’s top. If you place things on your fridge, even little things like cereal boxes, it can block the heat from escaping.
If heat can not escape, your fridge’s compressor will have to work harder to keep the refrigerator cool and your food fresh. This means that you will use up more energy and that your bills may go up. If your fridge is old and can not keep up with the new demand exerted on it, your food may spoil quicker. The fridge could also begin making noise or get damaged.
People Can Get Injured
Fridges are not as stable as countertops. When you open and close the fridge door, the refrigerator will vibrate a little, and the things you put on top of the fridge may move from their place. Little by little, they can move closer to the edge and eventually fall.
If they fall when someone is trying to get something out of the fridge, it can cause head injuries. If you have children who are not watching themselves and often slam the fridge doors, it is especially hazardous.
It Can Pose a Fire Hazard
Be careful not to put flammable materials on top of a fridge. Although the risk of a fire is not significant, you should keep flammable materials off the top of the refrigerator. Depending on where your fridge is located, the space above the fridge can get hot.
Can You Put a Microwave or a TV on Top of a Fridge?
Most fridges will be able to hold the weight of both a microwave and a TV. If you need to use a microwave and have no other place in the kitchen to put it, you can place it on top of your fridge. However, placing a microwave on top of a refrigerator comes with many safety hazards.
As mentioned, you run the risk of the microwave falling on you. However, even if that does not happen, it can be hard to reach up to put things in the microwave or take them out. For example, if you are heating a bowl of soup, it will probably be scalding when you finish microwaving it. You may not be able to hold it firmly while taking it out of the microwave since it is so high up, causing some of the soup to fall on you and burn your hands or face.
The risk posed by hot food is especially a concern if you have children who may need to stand on a chair to reach the microwave.
A TV is probably more likely to fall off a fridge than a microwave. Also, it is not the best place for a TV, since the area can heat up. If you place your microwave or TV on the fridge, make sure you are not blocking any vents.
If you would like to decorate the top of your fridge fashionably, watch this short video:
Conclusion
If you have no choice, go ahead and put a small box or even a kitchen appliance on top of your fridge. However, most people will be able to find an alternative solution. The top of your fridge doesn’t offer that much space after all.
On the other hand, if you have a mini-fridge, it is the perfect place for a microwave (as long as you don’t block any vents) as it doesn’t carry the same hazards as a large fridge would.
