How To Change Danby Door Swings

If you own a Danby fridge it's usually because you needed one for a small space, perhaps a small apartment, a dorm room or the corner of a "man cave." Downsized appliances that fit those spaces are Danby's market niche, which includes everything from the Danby Millennium Kegerator to narrow but full-height refrigerators. If your fridge door happens to open the wrong way, it can be a real inconvenience in a tight space. Like most other brands, the company makes it easy to reverse the swing if you should need to.

Take a few minutes to plan and organize your work before you get started. Changing the fridge door means that the foods inside will be exposed to room-temperature air, and being well-organized keeps that time as short as possible. You'll need a Phillips screwdriver or a nutdriver for removing and replacing the screws; ideally a ratchet or cordless model to help get the job done quicker. Measure to be sure the door's swing won't be obstructed by furniture, cabinetry or other obstacles once it is reversed.

Review the fridge's manual before starting, or watch an online instructional video, such as the one from Home Mender Inc., so you have a clear idea of the steps required. Most fridge doors reverse in much the same way, so it doesn't matter if it isn't a Danby in the video. Your user manual, paper or online, will give you any details that are specific to your fridge.

1. Clear Out the Fridge

Remove all foods items from the door of the fridge and freezer (if present) and set them aside in a picnic cooler.

2. Remove the Screws

Remove the upper hinge plate and set it aside, with its screws, in a safe place. Maintain pressure on the door so it doesn't sag or fall off as you remove the screws. When finished, lift the door from its pin and set it aside.

3. Remove the Top Hinge

Unscrew and remove the double hinge pin from the top of the fridge door, if you're working with a fridge that has both a fridge and a freezer door. Keep pressure on the door with a knee or hip, as you work. Set aside the screws and hinge in a safe place, then lift the door away and set it aside.

4. Re-Install the Bottom Hinge

Unscrew the bottom hinge plate from the fridge. Remove the caps covering the screw holes on the opposite side of the fridge and re-install the bottom hinge plate on that side. You could cover the original screw holes with the caps immediately, but because it's best to get the doors back in place as quickly as possible, it's best to leave that until last and replace them all at once.

5. Check for Additional Hinge Plates

Check the bottom of the refrigerator door. Some models may have a hinge plate that must also be moved to the other side of the door. Others are built to be "ambidextrous," so you'll just need to move the fridge door bushing from one corner to the other.

6. Replace the Fridge Door

Lift the fridge door back onto the bottom hinge pin. Orient it properly, then press firmly with a knee or hip to hold it in place. Remove the screw hole covers, if you haven't already done so. Drop the double-sided middle hinge bracket's lower pin into the upper recess of the fridge door, and then align the bracket with the screw holes. Replace the screws. If you're working with a kegerator or single-door mini fridge, skip this step.

7. Replace the Freezer Door

Lift the freezer door into place, if applicable, and hold it in position with an elbow or shoulder while you position the top hinge plate. Screw the plate into the mounting holes in its new position. Once you're finished, replace the remaining screw hole caps if you haven't already done so.