Kitchen gadgets make cooking more efficient, convenient and sometimes even fun. From espresso machines to waffle makers to pizza ovens, small appliances add personality to your kitchen and hold memories of a lifetime of family meals. When it’s time to move, however, figuring out how to pack every little machine can be nothing short of tedious.
Small appliances like air fryers, coffee makers, toasters and blenders all have different components that require a strategy to pack. When Bekins Van Lines handles the packing job, our movers pay close attention to detail so that your belongings are handled with professional and compassionate care.
Bekins offers comprehensive moving services that can be tailored to your exact needs. But if you’re tackling the packing, here’s how to pack small kitchen appliances.
Gather the Right Packing Supplies
Your moving supplies can make or break your move. Without the right materials, you’ll end up with vulnerable fragile items, flimsy boxes and broken valuables. Although your kitchen appliances might be made of sturdy metal, you’ll still want to safeguard them for moving day.
We recommend stocking up on:
- Medium-sized boxes or appliances’ original boxes, if possible
- Packing paper and bubble wrap
- Permanent markers to label the box
- “Fragile” stickers
- High-quality packing tape
- Optional: zip-top bags for small removable parts
Prep Each Appliance
Kitchen appliances get greasy, sticky and stained from daily use. Before you pack them, thoroughly clean each appliance inside and out so it’s ready for the new house.
For example, shake out all crumbs from the toaster and remove any coffee remnants from the coffee maker. Wipe down the inside of the microwave, air fryer and toaster oven, making sure inner components are dehydratedWrap for Protection to prevent mold.
If necessary, remove any loose, detachable and fragile components. The blender or coffee pot, for example, can be wrapped separately from its base with bubble wrap. Charging cords and small parts should be put in labeled bags and taped to their accompanying appliance to ensure they arrive together.
Wrap for Protection
In any step in the moving process, protection is key. Sheets of bubble wrap are a handy tool to secure fragile items, such as glass coffee pots or blenders. Packing paper should be sufficient for appliance bases or sturdier items.
Before you start putting the appliance in a box, be strategic. Appliances with their original boxes can be set aside, but those that are being boxed together should be placed according to their weight: heavier items at the bottom, lighter items on top. By packing small appliances on top, you’ll reduce the risk of them arriving crushed by too much weight.
If you’re not sure about your packing, Bekins certainly has the manpower to take care of it for you. We offer packing and shipping services with a white-glove service to ensure your belongings arrive safely and efficiently.
Box with Care
If you don’t have the appliances’ original packaging, opt for medium-sized boxes. You might be tempted to overfill anything larger, leading to a box that’s too heavy to carry. Knowing the proper-sized box required for the job is key to packing boxes like a pro.
Don’t forget the cushioning! Line the bottom of the box with crumpled packing paper, bubble wrap or even a clean towel. Start adding the heavier wrapped appliances to the bottom of the box and add packing paper to fill any gaps. The more cushioning you have, the less chance of shifting on the moving truck.
Label and Secure
Once your items are packed and secure, use a permanent marker to mark which side is up. It’s also helpful to list which appliances are inside each box or which room the box corresponds to, making unpacking and organizing easier. If there are glass or breakable items inside, be sure to label the box “fragile.” Efficiently labeling boxes is crucial during a move.
Once every box is catalogued and ready to go, use the H-taping method to secure the box. Fold the box flaps down flat, then use two strips of tape along the box edges and one strip along the middle where the flaps connect. Essentially, your tape should cover any open edges of the box.
Pro Tip: Don’t Pack Too Many Appliances in One Box
As we mentioned, medium-sized boxes are perfectly sized for small appliances when moving. When you have a box that’s too big, you risk overloading and being unable to carry it safely. Even if it means more belongings for your movers to load onto the truck, more boxes are a good thing! You’ll be able to pack kitchen appliances across several boxes, ensuring everything has enough space.
Bekins Is Happy to Get You Packing
As you prepare your small kitchen appliances for the journey to your new home, it all starts with using the right materials. Strategize your wrapping, label everything (and we mean everything!) and let Bekins’ moving team get everything on the truck in one piece.
Our compassionate movers and agents will tailor your moving services to exactly what you need to ensure a seamless move. And if you’d rather let us take care of the packing, even better! Contact a local agent for a free estimate to learn more about partnering with us for your move.
