How long should you wait to plug in new refrigerator after it has been laid on its side?

If you have bought a new refrigerator you can plug it in, set the temperature control to "normal" and switch it on as soon as you have unpacked it from its box or shipping materials! Before putting-in any food you should wait a few hours until the fridge has reached its normal working temperature. It should just stay cool at around a couple of degrees or so above the freezing point of water.

As the thermostat switches off and on to control the system, the temperature will vary but the fridge should never freeze any of its contents. (Only deep-freeze appliances should do that.)