What is the right temperature setting for your refrigerator?

Every refrigerator was designed with one goal in mind; keep your food cold. Just exactly how cold is up to you; most refrigerators allow you to adjust the internal thermometer to keep your contents at the exact temperature that you prefer. Programming your fridge to the right temperature seems like an easy task, but in fact it can be difficult to perfect. Turning the thermostat down too low results in frozen milk and icy watermelon chunks. On the other hand, open the door to a refrigerator with its temperature even just slightly too high and you might see (or smell) a dozen rotten eggs or a bag of spoiled oranges.

Speedy Subzero is here to help solve this dilemma and keep your fridge at the temperature that is best for you.

What temperature should my refrigerator be?

The professionals at Speedy Subzero say that the ideal temperature of a refrigerator is between 35 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Water freezes at 32 degrees, so it is recommended to keep your fridge at least a few degrees above the freezing point to avoid turning your orange juice into an orange slushy. 40 degrees and above is what is referred to by many experts as “The Danger Zone” because, as The Kitchn reports, this is where bacteria growth rates begin to triple.

Many newer models have a digital programmable thermostat which allows you to choose a precise temperature to maintain. However, many of us do not have this luxury, and instead have a manual dial you must adjust without knowing the actual temperature. If this sounds like your fridge, Speedy Subzero (with some help from Lifehacker) has put together a list of tips and tricks to help you figure out the temperature of your refrigerator and maintain a constant cold.

 

• Invest in a refrigerator thermometer. This is the only way to be absolutely certain that your fridge is at the exact temperature you want it to be.
• Keeping your fridge well stocked will help it better hold its temperature when you open the door. This will also result in lower energy consumption.
• If you pack your refrigerator too much, however, you can restrict airflow, which causes uneven cooling and a higher electricity bill.
• Store the items you want to keep coldest in the back or the bottom of your fridge. The cooling element is located in the back, and the bottom naturally stays cold because warm air rises.
• Do not put food that is susceptible to spoiling on the door. It is not uncommon for items on the door to reach temperatures above 50 degrees.
• Minimize the opening of your refrigerator. Know what you want to take out before you open the door and when getting multiple items, take them all out in one go-around.
• Let hot food cool down before putting it in the fridge. Putting those steaming hot lasagna leftovers in the refrigerator warms up the space around it and can affect the temperature of other foods.

Speedy Subzero has been servicing refrigerators in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey for over 60 years. We stock 99% of our parts in our “warehouse on wheels” which allows us to be at your door within an hour of your phone call. Visit our website for more information and be sure to like us on Facebook for more refrigerator-related advice!