Are you looking for how to level a KitchenAid refrigerator? Proper refrigerator leveling keeps the appliance in optimum shape, so find the steps in this article.
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How to Level a KitchenAid Refrigerator
Before leveling your KitchenAid refrigerator, ensure you move it to its final position. That way, you do not have to adjust the feet to enable you to move it again after leveling it.
Side-by-Side Models
Disconnect the refrigerator from the electric power and open the doors. Keep them open to about a 90-degree angle to allow you to remove the front bottom grill. Opening it wider than 90 degrees makes it difficult to remove the base grill. There may be two screws securing the grill to the refrigerator; use a Phillips-head screwdriver to unthread and remove them.
Once done, hold both ends of the grill and pull it toward you to remove it from the refrigerator frame. Next, close the doors and locate the leveling feet on the brackets on each side of the refrigerator. Raise or lower the feet to level the refrigerator properly using a ¼-inch open-end adjustable wrench. You can independently raise or lower each leveling foot to tilt the refrigerator back or forward.
Get someone to push the top front of the appliance to lessen the weight on the leveling feet. You can adjust them if there is little or no weight on them. Stabilize the appliance by turning each foot clockwise or to the left to lower them to bring them firmly to the floor. Afterward, you can level the refrigerator; it will not wobble while leveling it if the feet are secure on the floor.
Turn the leveling feet clockwise or to the left to raise the refrigerator. Turn them counterclockwise or to the right to lower the appliance. Lower or raise each leveling foot, one at a time, on each side of the refrigerator until the appliance is level. Remember that you can turn each foot independently of the other, so take them one at a time.
If you want to tilt the refrigerator slightly to the back, turn the feet to the left or clockwise. Ensure you turn them the same number of times to achieve an exact balance; one side should not be higher than the other side. That way, the refrigerator doors easily close. Finally, open the refrigerator doors to a 90-degree angle and put the base grill back in place. Thread the screws to secure it and close the doors.
French Door Models with Non-Adjustable Rollers
Unplug the refrigerator and remove the base grill. Grab both ends and gently but firmly pull it out toward you. Ensure you hold the inside front edges of the part that covers the brake feet to avoid breaking the grill. Raise or lower the brake feet adjacent to the non-adjustable rollers at the bottom of the refrigerator to level the appliance.
You can raise or lower the brake feet independently of each other. So, get a ⅜-inch wrench and turn the brake foot on one side to lower or raise that side. Do the same for the other side to lower or raise it. Turn each foot clockwise or to the right to lower the foot and raises that side, and turning them counterclockwise or to the left raises the foot and lowers that side.
Get someone to push the top front of the appliance to lessen the weight on the leveling feet. You can adjust them if there is little or no weight on them. After making the necessary adjustments, check the refrigerator’s balance before replacing the base grill.
Note that the wrench size for the brake feet adjustment may vary by refrigerator model. Therefore, consult your refrigerator’s user guide for the exact size and type to use.
French Door Models with Adjustable Rollers
Grab both ends of the base grill that jut out and gently but firmly pull it out toward you. Ensure you hold the inside front edges of the part that covers the brake feet to avoid breaking the grill. Raise the front stabilizing brake feet on each side by turning them counterclockwise or to the left until they do not touch the floor anymore.
Depending on the french door model, there may be two or four adjustable rollers for leveling the appliance. Each one can be lowered or raised independently of others, and there are corresponding adjustment screws at the refrigerator’s base for them. If there is only one adjustment screw on the front of each roller, it means the refrigerator has front rollers and is front-leveling.
But two adjustment screws, one on each side of the roller, show that the appliance has back and front rollers. The front levels the refrigerator, while the back stabilizes it. The outer screws are for the front rollers, and the inner ones are for the back rollers. Get a ⅜-inch hex driver or a screwdriver and turn the adjustment screws; turn them to the right or clockwise to raise the refrigerator and lower the roller. Turn to the left or counterclockwise to lower the refrigerator and raise the roller.
You can opt to raise or lower only one side, depending on your refrigerator’s leveling needs per time. Also, it may take a few turns of the adjustment screws to get the correct tilt for your refrigerator. Do not adjust the screws more than the refrigerator needs to avoid causing it to wobble. Ensure you check the floor for evenness to make the leveling complete.
Your user manual contains instructions for the hex driver size appropriate for your french door refrigerator model. It also shows how to level the specific model of your refrigerator, so you may want to check the instructions and follow them.
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If you have difficulty leveling your refrigerator, ensure the floor is balanced. Uneven floors can make leveling the refrigerator difficult. If that is the case, use shims to create a balance and even the floor out. Then, level the refrigerator to complete the process. Follow the specific leveling instructions in your refrigerator’s user manual to level the appliance from front to back and from side to side.
How to Level Doors on a KitchenAid Refrigerator
There are different steps to leveling the doors on a KitchenAid refrigerator. Each refrigerator type has its door leveling method, and you must carefully follow each one to achieve your purpose.
Follow the instructions in this article on KitchenAid refrigerator door adjustment to level each door and ensure they are the same height. Also, note the tools you need for the job. Additionally, consult the refrigerator’s user manual for other instructions for adjusting the doors or leveling the refrigerator.
How to Adjust the Ice Maker Level on a KitchenAid Refrigerator
If the ice maker in your KitchenAid refrigerator appears unbalanced, it may be an installation fault. Since the machine does not rest on the floor but hangs on the freezer wall, the problem may stem from a loose screw or a damaged bracket. Contact the installation team or hire an independent technician to inspect the ice maker and make the necessary adjustments.
However, you can level a KitchenAid freestanding ice maker to create a better balance and enhance its performance. Get an adjustable wrench and turn the leveling leg counterclockwise or to the left to raise that side. Turn the leveling leg clockwise or to the right to lower that side.
If you level both sides, ensure you turn them the same number of times to achieve a balance and prevent wobbling. Consider placing shims under the ice maker if the floor is uneven or if adjusting the legs does not create the required balance. Consult the ice maker’s user manual and follow the specific leveling instructions for that model to get the right results.
KitchenAid Side-by-Side Refrigerator Drawers Do Not Easily Slide and Level – Quick Fix
There may be a bit of friction on the drawer glides if you have difficulty sliding the drawers into the refrigerator or making them level. In such a case, use silicone-based grease or spray lubricant on the drawer glides and drawers to lessen the friction and ease the gliding. The same steps apply if you are looking for how to level the produce or crisper drawer in your KitchenAid refrigerator.
You may also consider contacting the KitchenAid Service Center to request service, especially if it is a new refrigerator installation. Your warranty should cover any possible repairs. Alternatively, get an independent but qualified appliance technician for further assistance.
How to Level the Wheels on a KitchenAid Refrigerator
Leveling the wheels on your KitchenAid refrigerator means raising or lowering them to lock them to the floor. You can also lock the wheels to prevent the refrigerator from rolling. Depending on the refrigerator model, there may be two or four adjustable rollers or wheels. Each one can be lowered or raised independently of others, and there are corresponding adjustment screws at the refrigerator’s base for them.
If there is only one adjustment screw on the front of each roller, it means the refrigerator has front rollers and is front-leveling. But two adjustment screws, one on each side of the roller, show that the appliance has back and front rollers. The front levels the refrigerator, while the back stabilizes it.
The outer screws are for the front rollers, and the inner ones are for the back rollers. Get a ⅜-inch hex driver or a screwdriver and turn the adjustment screws; turn them to the right or clockwise to raise the refrigerator and lower the roller. Turn to the left or counterclockwise to lower the refrigerator and raise the roller.
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