Your kitchen is full of items that need careful packing. Stand mixers, coffee makers, food processors, microwaves and other items can be challenging to pack if you don’t have the original box, and they can be awkward to deal with. And, if not packed carefully, they can suffer damage during the move. Here are some good rules of thumb for handling these items.
First, measure your item. You want about two inches of room for packing material around the item, sides, top and bottom. If the box is too small, items may be damaged, if the box is too big, you will have a harder time packing it well. You also want a sturdy enough box to stand up to heavy items, especially a stand mixer, which can weigh more than 30 pounds. Be sure that the box bottoms are securely sealed, taping along the bottom seam and a couple of times from the sides across the taped seam.
Second, consider your packing materials. You want the items to be tightly surrounded, with no shifting, especially if you have glass components. Packing peanuts can shift, so bubble wrap (with the large bubbles), foam sheets and tightly wadded newspaper are better options. Line the sides and bottom of the box with the material of your choice. Wrap the appliance base and each component piece – coffee pot, mixer bowls, etc.—separately.
Put the wrapped component piece back in the appliance. You want to ensure nothing rattles around, so if necessary, use tape to hold everything in place. Put the appliance in the box. The reason for wrapping items and lining the box’s sides is to prevent handles and fragile elements from being directly against the side of the box, as that’s one for items to be damaged, so double check that nothing is directly touching the sides of the box. Then push packing material into empty spaces until the appliance is held firmly in place when you shake the box.
You want to be sure that the box is completely full, no gaps between the top of the appliance and the lid. Boxes that aren’t packed full are another cause of damaged items, so press down the top before sealing. Don’t over stuff, it though: You want the lid to be flat, not humped in the center.
It is possible to pack several small, lighter appliances (blenders, food processers, etc.) into the same box if everything is well wrapped, but heavy items like microwaves and stand mixers should be the only item in the box.
With these tips, you should be able to pack and protect your countertop appliances during the move, regardless of the boxes available. If you are worried about your packing abilities, your Allied agent has trained crews who can quickly pack your house.