How To Move a Stove
Fact Checked by: Here’s the quick answer: To move a stove, start by turning off the power or gas, removing the oven drawer, and using an appliance dolly or furniture sliders to protect the floor. Enlist a helper and carefully tilt and slide the stove away from the wall, ensuring the gas line is not strained.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
With the right approach and equipment, you can move your stove safely and avoid costly mistakes. Read on for expert tips to move your stove successfully.
Safety first: Essential precautions before moving a stove
Before you even think about lifting your stove, take these precautions to protect yourself, your home, and the appliance. Safety should always come first and should guide every decision you make during the move.
- Turn off all power sources: Unplug electric stoves and switch off the circuit breaker. For gas stoves, shut off the gas valve completely so the supply is isolated.
- Disconnect the appliance safely: Only attempt basic disconnects if you’re confident in your skills. For any gas line work, hire a licensed technician to avoid leaks or code violations.
- Use protective gear: Wear work gloves, closed-toe shoes, and long sleeves to improve grip and prevent cuts and scrapes.
- Check for gas leaks: Brush a soapy water solution on the gas connection before and after the move. If bubbles appear, stop immediately and call a pro.
- Clear your path: Remove rugs, mats, and clutter to eliminate tripping hazards and create a straight, protected route.
- Never move a stove alone: Recruit at least one helper and agree on simple commands to coordinate each step.
- Keep kids and pets away: Heavy appliances and moving gear can be dangerous when in motion. Set up a safe zone for your pets and kids.
- Don’t force it: If the stove is stuck, check for anti-tip brackets or screws holding it in place before applying more force.
Understanding your stove type: Electric vs. gas
Electric and gas stoves come with different risks and requirements. Confirm what you have (and how it’s connected) before planning equipment and helpers.
| Feature | Electric stove | Gas stove |
|---|---|---|
| Power disconnection | Unplug and turn off circuit breaker | Turn off shutoff valve; disconnect/cap line (by professional) |
| Risks | Electrical shock, cord damage | Gas leaks, fire, explosion |
| Special precautions | Secure cord; avoid wet hands; protect glass cooktops | Test for leaks; never force fittings; cap and tag the gas line |
| Who should disconnect | DIY possible with care | Qualified professional only |
Electric stoves are generally easier to move. For gas stoves, safety and code compliance should take priority over a DIY approach.
Preparation: Getting ready to move your stove
A few smart steps can make your stove move smoother. Tackle these in order before you start lifting.
- Clean your stove: Remove grease and debris from all surfaces, including underneath, to reduce slips and odors.
- Remove detachable parts: Take out racks, oven drawers, doors (if removable), knobs, and burner grates to prevent damage and lighten the load.
- Clean the surrounding area: Sweep and mop the floor around the stove to create a smooth path.
- Measure everything: Double-check doorways, hallways, stairs, and the destination spot, including the new kitchen cutout.
- Clear and protect the path: Move furniture, then lay down protection (cardboard, ram board, or plastic sheets) along the entire route.
Equipment and supplies you’ll need to move a stove
The right equipment saves your back, your floors, and your appliance. Gather these before you begin.
- Appliance dolly: Choose a dolly with straps and large wheels for thresholds; rentals are widely available.
- Moving/lifting straps: Share weight between two people and improve leverage on stairs.
- Furniture sliders: Slip these under the feet to glide the stove across floors in tight spaces.
- Plastic sheets or cardboard: Create a continuous path from the kitchen to the exit to prevent scratches.
- Moving blankets and pads: Wrap the stove and protect nearby cabinets and corners with moving blankets and pads; secure them with tape or straps.
- Work gloves: Improve grip and protect your hands from sharp edges.
- Basic toolkit: Keep screwdrivers, pliers, and a wrench handy for brackets and doors.
Most supplies can be rented or purchased at home improvement stores and moving supply shops. For more detail on moving supplies, see our guide to packing materials.
Step-by-step guide: How to move a stove
Follow these steps to move your stove safely and avoid damage along the way. Assign a “caller” to coordinate each motion and keep everyone in sync.
- Unplug/disconnect safely:
- Electric: Unplug and switch off the circuit breaker so no power is live during the move.
- Gas: Shut off the gas valve and have a licensed technician disconnect and cap the line.
- Remove all detachable parts:
- Take out racks, drawers, doors, burners, and knobs. Place them in a labeled box for reassembly at your new home.
- Protect your floors and path:
- Lay down plastic sheets, cardboard, or furniture sliders from the stove to the exit, covering thresholds.
- Wrap the stove:
- Use moving blankets or furniture pads, secured with tape or straps. Add extra padding to corners and handles.
- Lift and move with a team:
- With two people, gently tilt the stove back and slide the dolly or sliders underneath.
- If you’re using a dolly, strap the stove securely and keep it upright at all times.
- If you’re using sliders, push them gently along the protected path. Never drag them on bare floors.
- Navigating tight spaces or stairs:
- Use clear commands (“Lift,” “Hold,” “Rotate”) and take turns slowly.
- On stairs, the stronger helper should be on the lower side; move one step at a time.
- Load onto the moving truck:
- Use a ramp and dolly when possible. Strap the stove upright against the truck wall with heavy-duty ratchets.
- Reverse the process at your destination:
- Lay down floor protection, unwrap, and move the stove into place using the same careful steps in reverse.
Tips for tight spaces, corners, and stairs
Challenging layouts call for extra planning. Measure everything twice and set up your route before you lift.
- Measure before you move: You may need to remove appliance or kitchen doors to clear tight doorframes.
- Pivot slowly at corners: Keep the stove upright and rotate in small increments with spotters watching edges.
- On stairs: The strongest helper should stand on the lower side and control the weight; move one step at a time.
- If you lose control: Set the stove down carefully and don’t try to catch it mid-fall and risk injury.
Teamwork and communication: Don’t go solo
Moving a stove is a team job. Clear roles and simple, consistent commands can dramatically reduce risk and speed up the process.
- Choose reliable helpers: One is the bare minimum; two are better for stairs and tight layouts.
- Assign roles: Designate a lifter, a guide/spotter, and a door handler to keep the route clear.
- Communicate clearly: Use short commands like “Lift now,” “Hold,” and “Rotate left” so everyone reacts together.
- Take breaks: Fatigue causes mistakes, so it’s important to rest and rehydrate between long carries.
How to reinstall and test your stove in the new location
Once your stove is in place, take time to set it up properly. A careful installation protects your home and ensures the appliance will work as expected.
- Position carefully: Use sliders or a dolly to nudge the stove into place without scratching floors or cabinets.
- Reconnect power/gas: Plug in the cord for electric units; for gas, have a licensed technician connect and test the line.
- Leak test: Apply soapy water to fittings and look for bubbles; shut off gas and call a pro if you see any.
- Function test: Turn on burners and the oven briefly to confirm that it’s working properly.
- Reinstall parts: Replace racks, drawers, doors, burner caps, and knobs.
DIY vs. professional help: Which is right for you?
Some moves are best left to the pros, especially with gas appliances or tricky layouts. Use these guidelines to decide what fits your situation.
- DIY is reasonable when:
- You have an electric stove and basic DIY skills.
- You have at least one strong helper and a clear route with no stairs.
- You’ve gathered the right equipment (dolly, sliders, pads).
- Hire a professional if:
- You have a gas stove (especially for disconnect/reconnect).
- The stove is extremely heavy, built-in, or in a tight space.
- Stairs, sharp turns, or fragile finishes are involved.
- You’re unsure about moving or handling it safely.
Many moving companies will transport a stove but won’t disconnect or reconnect gas due to liability. Confirm services in writing and factor technician costs into your budget.
|
|
|
|
rating
Special scenarios: Moving a stove during remodeling or relocation
If you’re moving a stove as part of a remodel or layout change, coordination is everything. Plan things out carefully to avoid delays, damage, or duplicated effort.
- Coordinate with contractors: Time disconnects, floor work, and reconnection so different workers aren’t stepping on each other’s toes.
- Protect new finishes: Use extra padding and floor protection around newly installed cabinets and flooring.
- Plan for storage: If the stove will be offline for a while, consider short-term storage or a protected garage bay.
For broader planning tips, see our ultimate relocation guide and our primer on how to pack kitchen items.
FAQs
How do you move a stove that is stuck?
If the stove won’t budge, stop and look for anti-tip brackets or screws securing it to the wall or floor. These are common and easy to miss. Use a flashlight to inspect the back and sides for hidden fasteners or snagged cords.
If you need to, use a pry bar with a thick furniture pad to create gentle leverage without gouging floors. Once it’s free, protect the path before trying again to prevent getting it stuck.
What if there are stripped screws or damaged parts?
A dedicated screw extractor can remove stripped screws cleanly — most hardware stores carry affordable kits. Photograph any damaged parts and order exact replacements before reinstallation; mismatched hardware can cause rattles or poor alignment. If trim pieces are bent, straighten them on a padded surface to avoid marring the finish. When in doubt, a local appliance tech can source OEM parts quickly.
How do I move a stove by myself?
We don’t recommend it. Even with sliders, stoves are bulky and unstable, and a solo move raises the risk of injury or damage. At minimum, recruit a helper, use an appliance dolly with straps, and set up full floor protection. If no help is available, hire a local loading crew for an hour — it’s inexpensive insurance for your back and floors.
How can I move a gas stove safely?
Hire a licensed professional to disconnect and reconnect the gas line — DIY gas work is dangerous and often violates local codes. After reconnection, perform a leak check with a soapy water solution and monitor for odor. Keep the stove upright while moving to protect igniters and regulators. If anything smells off, shut the valve and call the pro back immediately.
What’s the best way to move a stove without scratching the floor?
Lay a continuous runway of cardboard or plastic sheeting, then place furniture sliders under the feet before shifting. For longer routes or thresholds, use an appliance dolly with straps and a ramp to keep the stove upright. Avoid dragging on bare floors and assign a spotter to watch corners and trim.
Can I lay a stove on its back or side?
No — always keep stoves upright to protect internal components and, with gas units, to prevent stress on fittings. Laying a stove down can damage glass cooktops, bend frames, and dislodge insulation. If you have to angle it briefly to clear a threshold, do so gently and with spotters. Re-check function after placement to confirm everything is seated properly.
How heavy is a typical stove?
Most residential ranges weigh between 100 and 250 pounds, but double-oven and commercial-style units can be much heavier. Plan for at least a two-person lift and use an appliance dolly for longer carries or stairs. Remove doors, racks, and drawers to shave weight and improve balance. If the unit feels unstable, stop and re-pad before continuing.
Related moving resources
Ready to plan your move?
If your stove is only one item in a larger move, you might want to consider hiring a moving company. Use our moving cost calculator to get personalized moving quotes and decide whether you should opt for a DIY, hybrid, or full-service move.
How Much do Movers Cost?
Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
