Quck answer
To change the door swing of a Danby refrigerator, follow these steps:
1. Empty the contents of the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
2. Unplug the refrigerator from the power source.
3. Remove any shelves or drawers inside the refrigerator and freezer.
4. Locate the hinge screws on the opposite side of the door swing.
5. Unscrew the hinges and carefully remove the door from the refrigerator.
6. Unscrew the hinge cover and transfer it to the opposite side.
7. Attach the hinges to the opposite side of the refrigerator.
8. Lift and align the door with the hinges, then secure it in place with the screws.
9. Reinstall any shelves or drawers and plug the refrigerator back in.
10. Restock the refrigerator with food and enjoy the new door swing.
If you have a Danby fridge, it is likely because you needed a compact appliance for a small space such as a small apartment, dorm room, or “man cave” corner. Danby specializes in downsized appliances that fit these spaces, offering everything from the Danby Millennium Kegerator to narrow but tall refrigerators. If your fridge door opens in the wrong direction, it can be quite inconvenient in a tight space. However, like most other brands, Danby makes it easy to reverse the door swing if necessary.
Before You Begin
Before starting the process, take a few minutes to plan and organize your work. Changing the door swing means that the food inside will be exposed to room-temperature air, so it is important to be well-organized to minimize this time. You will need a Phillips screwdriver or nutdriver to remove and replace the screws. Ideally, a ratchet or cordless model will help you complete the job more quickly. Additionally, make sure that the door swing won’t be obstructed by furniture, cabinetry, or other obstacles once it is reversed.
Prior to starting, review the fridge’s manual or watch an online instructional video to understand the required steps. Even if the video features a different brand, most fridge doors reverse in a similar way. Your user manual, whether in paper or online form, will provide any specific details for your Danby fridge.
Reversing the Door Swing on a Danby Fridge
Step 1: Empty the Fridge
Remove all food items from the fridge and freezer doors (if applicable) and place them in a picnic cooler.
Step 2: Remove the Screws
Take out the upper hinge plate and set it aside, along with its screws, in a safe location. Keep pressure on the door to prevent it from sagging or falling off as you remove the screws. Once finished, lift the door off its pin and set it aside.
Step 3: Remove the Top Hinge
If your fridge has both a fridge and a freezer door, unscrew and remove the double hinge pin from the top of the fridge door. As you work, use your knee or hip to maintain pressure on the door. Safely set aside the screws and hinge, then lift the door away and set it aside.
Step 4: Install the Bottom Hinge
Unscrew the bottom hinge plate from the fridge. Remove the caps that cover the screw holes on the opposite side of the fridge and install the bottom hinge plate on that side. While you could cover the original screw holes with the caps immediately, it is best to wait until last and replace them all at once to expedite the process of getting the doors back in place.
Step 5: Check for Additional Hinge Plates
Inspect the bottom of the refrigerator door. Some models may have an additional hinge plate that needs to be moved to the other side of the door. Others are designed to be “ambidextrous,” so you only need to move the fridge door bushing to the other corner.
Step 6: Install the New Door on the Refrigerator
Place the fridge door onto the bottom hinge pin. Make sure it is properly oriented, then apply pressure with your knee or hip to keep it in place. If you haven’t done so already, remove the covers for the screw holes. Insert the lower pin of the double-sided middle hinge bracket into the upper recess of the fridge door, and align the bracket with the screw holes. Secure the screws. If you are working with a kegerator or single-door mini fridge, you can skip this step.
Step 7: Attach the New Door to the Freezer
If applicable, lift the freezer door and hold it in position with your elbow or shoulder while you position the top hinge plate. Screw the plate into the mounting holes in its new position. Once you are done, replace the remaining screw hole caps if necessary.
