A fridge or freezer is one of the most useful things you can buy second-hand, and one of the easiest to get wrong. A tired compressor can fail a month after you buy it, and an inefficient old unit can quietly add a lot to your electricity bill. These checks will help you find a good one.
A red flag to know about first
Ghana has banned the import of used fridges since 2013, because older units waste a lot of power. A fridge that has been used in Ghana by its owner is fine to buy and sell. But a "home-used" or "just arrived" fridge offered as a fresh import should make you cautious.
Before you go
Get the details
Ask for the brand, model, size (in litres), age and why it's being sold. A seller who has owned the fridge for years can usually tell you its story.
Ask for it to be switched on
Ask the seller to switch the fridge on a few hours before you arrive, so you can feel whether it's actually getting cold. A fridge that's been "off for cleaning" when you arrive is a warning sign.
Compare prices
Check similar fridges in Home & Furniture on Wujibaba and the price of a comparable new one. A good used fridge should be clearly cheaper than new.
When you see it
Feel the cold
The fridge compartment should feel properly cold and the freezer should be freezing. If it has been running for hours and is only cool, walk away.
Listen to the compressor
A gentle hum that starts and stops is normal. Loud knocking, clicking on and off every few seconds, or a compressor that never stops are bad signs.
Check the seals
Close the door on a sheet of paper. If the paper slides out easily, the door seal is worn and the fridge will waste power and struggle to stay cold.
Look inside and underneath
Look for cracked shelves, broken drawers and rust, especially at the bottom and around the back. Check for oil stains or a burnt smell near the compressor.
Check for ice build-up and leaks
Heavy ice in a frost-free fridge, or water pooling inside or underneath, can point to a faulty thermostat or blocked drain.
Getting it home and keeping it healthy
Move the fridge upright if you can. If it has to lie down during the journey, let it stand upright for several hours before switching it on, so the oil settles back into the compressor. And protect your investment with a good voltage stabiliser or surge protector: power fluctuations are one of the main reasons fridges fail early in Ghana.
Find a fridge near you
Browse fridges, freezers and other appliances in Home & Furniture, or near you in Achimota, Madina or Kumasi. For bigger furniture too, see our guide to second-hand furniture in Accra.