The Ideal Refrigerator Temperature
How cold should your refrigerator be? The fridge temperature should be 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Many refrigerators come with a built-in thermostat, but you can also use a refrigerator thermometer to check the temperature.
Setting your refrigerator and freezer to the right temperature keeps your food fresh and safe. A cold fridge preserves your food and helps to avoid bacteria growth. When foods reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit, bacteria grows exponentially and can double in as little as 20 minutes. Follow the recommended guidelines for your fridge to maintain food quality and reduce the risk of illness.
Setting the Freezer Temperature
Your freezer temperature should be 0 degrees Fahrenheit. If you notice ice collecting on or inside your products, that means the freezer temperature is too cold. Too much ice buildup leads to freezer burn and ruined food.
If you suspect bad weather or a storm, freeze zippered storage bags full of water to help keep food cold until the power is restored. If you’ll be out of town, freeze a small jar of water then add a coin to the top. Store this in your freezer. If you come home and the coin is lower in the jar, then you know your power went out at some point during your trip.
Monitoring and Changing the Refrigerator and Freezer Temperature
It's vital to monitor your fridge and freezer temperature to make sure they're functioning correctly and to ensure the best food quality. The ideal refrigerator temperature keeps your food cold but not too cold that it loses flavor.
Some older fridge models contain dials in different sections to provide a variety of refrigerator temperatures and it’s important to monitor them all. Most fridges have the option to change the humidity and temperature of individual drawers for fruits and veggies. Watch these temperatures too since the a significant temperature drop in an area with lots of humidity can lead to bacteria growth.
Choose a Fridge With Electronic Temperature Control
Upfront electronic temperature controls allows you to easily access and monitor your fridge and freezer temperatures. Typically, the controls are preset around 37 degrees Fahrenheit for the fridge and 0 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer, but you can adjust them. If there's a power failure, most fridges remember your settings and revert to the previous setting once power is restored.
Maintaining your refrigerator and freezer temperatures is important for the safe handling of your foods and the longevity of your appliances. Newer fridge models are designed so that you have better control of and easy access to the temperature settings. If your fridge isn't efficient at keeping your food at the correct temperature, check out our article on choosing the best refrigerator and Lowe’s refrigerator selection to find a new one.
Effectively Packing Foods in the Fridge
How you pack foods can affect the fridge temperature. Overpacking doesn't allow for proper airflow, making it difficult to maintain the proper refrigerator temperature. It’s important to cover your leftovers and clean out your fridge once a week. If something goes bad and it develops mold, the spores can spread to other items.
Store fruits and vegetables in the crisper drawers and set the humidity levels appropriately. Leafy vegetables like spinach and lettuce and fruit like strawberries, grapes and raspberries are best stored with a high-humidity setting. Thicker skinned items like apples, onions and peppers do best with a low-humidity setting.
Keep all meat and poultry in the coldest part of the fridge. If kept at an improper temperature, bacteria can grow and cause illness. It's also a good idea to keep meat in their original store-bought containers until you're ready to cook them. Be sure to rotate your older food items to the front so they get used first. This helps prevent food from spoiling once you've added new products to the fridge.
Tips for Maintaining the Ideal Refrigerator Temperature
Don’t place hot leftovers in the fridge – Let food cool before placing it in your refrigerator. The steam from hot food can raise the internal temperature of your fridge and cause other food to potentially spoil.
Inspect fridge and freezer seals – The seal around your refrigerator and freezer help keep cold air in and warm air out. If you see cracks or damage to the seals, this cause the cool air to escape and the temperature of your fridge or freezer to dip. Inspect refrigerator seals regularly and replace as needed.
Avoid opening the fridge and freezer doors frequently – Every time you open the fridge or freezer door, cool air escapes. Avoid keeping the fridge door open while you look for a snack and try to stop your kids from standing there with the door open. When cooking dinner, gather all your ingredients at once and close the fridge door.
Keep a well-stocked fridge and freezer – A fridge and freezer full of food helps keep everything in it cool. But avoid overcrowding the food which can decrease air flow. Keep your refrigerator well-stocked and organized for an optimal experience.