Fact or Myth? - Refrigerators

We use refrigerators every day, but how much do we really know about them? Read through these five statements about refrigerators and see if you can determine which ones are facts and which ones are simply myths.

1. You should store milk and other dairy products on the refrigerator door.

Myth. Temperatures are generally higher near the refrigerator door than anywhere else because of the constant opening and closing. This is why you should keep condiments on the door and store spoilage-prone items such as meat and milk towards the back of the refrigerator where it stays the coldest.

2. The optimal temperature range for a refrigerator is between 35 and 39° F.

Fact. Keeping your refrigerator's temperature between 35 and 39° is the best for keeping your food fresh. Anything below 35° is too close to the freezing point of water, and anything 40° and above will promote the growth of bacteria.

3. The condenser coils on the back of your refrigerator should be cleaned once per year.

Myth. To keep your refrigerator running efficiently and your energy bill low, you should clean its condenser coils every six months. Doing so will also minimize wear-and-tear on your appliance and help prevent future breakdowns and repairs.

4. Refrigerating batteries helps them last longer.

Myth. When stored at normal room temperature, standard alkaline batteries discharge their energy at a rate of 2% per year. Storing them in the refrigerator might marginally reduce this number, but battery manufacturers recommend against doing this because it can lead to condensation and the corrosion of the batteries.

5. The compressor is essentially the heart of your refrigerator.

Fact. The compressor is the most important part of your refrigerator, much like your car's engine or your body's heart. In addition to acting as a pump to circulate the refrigerant through the system, the compressor adds heat to the liquid refrigerant by compressing it, helping to cool the inside of your refrigerator.

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