What Are the Right Refrigerator and Freezer Temperature Settings?

Fridges and freezers are invaluable parts of most households. They keep daily life running and ensure that snack time, meal planning, and cooking go off with as little stress as possible. What most people overlook is how important refrigerator and freezer temperature is to maintaining freshness and not wasting money because of spoilage. 

Your refrigerator temperature should be set in the range between 32ºF - 40ºF (0ºC - 4.4ºC) and the freezer temperature at 0ºF (-18ºC) for optimal performance. 

This guide can help you better understand how to set your fridge and freezer temperatures, so that each cools and freezes food as needed, and you’ll also learn how to adjust each compartment’s settings. 

THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE RANGE FOR A REFRIGERATOR

The temperature range of a refrigerator should be set somewhere between 32ºF - 40ºF (0ºC - 4.4ºC). That said, the ideal temperature for storing most foods is 37ºF. 

CERTAIN COMPARTMENTS WILL BE COOLER THAN OTHERS

Many refrigerators don’t have one consistent temperature throughout their interior. Most have temperatures that vary per compartment, meaning you need to be strategic when storing and organizing food in your refrigerator.

For instance, refrigerator doors are often slightly warmer, making them perfect for items with a longer shelf life, such as condiments and select beverages. Perishable items, like cold cuts and dairy products, should be kept in deli drawers and at the back of refrigerators, where it’s typically colder.

AN ORGANIZED FRIDGE PROVIDES OPTIMAL FOOD CONSERVATION AND STORAGE

After setting your refrigerator and freezer to their recommended temperatures, you should organize your fridge to optimize it for food conservation. The goal is to organize the contents to achieve maximum airflow and optimal cooling. This guide for fridge organization offers all the tips to help you keep a properly organized fridge. 

WHAT’S THE IDEAL COLDNESS OF A FREEZER?

Most people recognize that a freezer temperature should ideally be set to 0ºF (-18ºC) to adequately freeze specific items. However, it’s also acceptable to set the temperature at -1ºF. This can help reduce or even prevent freezer burn. It’s often recommended to maintain a freezer temperature that’s on the colder end of the range.

SETTING THE CORRECT REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER TEMPERATURES FOR FOOD SAFETY

Using your fridge’s touchpad buttons, you can set or adjust your appliance’s settings. To lower the temperature with a control pad without a display for degrees, increase it to a level higher. Alternatively, to raise the temperature, set the control to a level lower. 

If you don’t know how to adjust your fridge’s settings, consult your manufacturer’s use and care guide for specific instructions on temperature modification. Another option is to use an appliance thermometer, which can determine the ideal temperature for your freezer. Once you know the temperature, you can modify your settings accordingly.

Setting your fridge and freezer to their recommended temperatures can help prevent food from developing foodborne bacteria. Remember, colder temperatures tend to slow the development of bacteria in food, helping maintain its safety for longer. 

Furthermore, understanding how long food can safely last in the freezer and maintaining the recommended temperature range can help achieve the following:

• Better taste
• Less food waste
• Prevent unwanted smells from developing

HOW TO HANDLE A REFRIGERATOR THAT ISN’T KEEPING FOOD COOL

If your fridge isn’t keeping food cool as it should, the first step is to review your appliance’s settings to see if it’s keeping the correct temperature. You can even use an appliance thermometer to confirm that your fridge temperature is set to below 40ºF. 

You will need to adjust the setting and then give it 24 hours if the temperature is higher than 40ºF. If your fridge is set to its lowest temperature, or adjusting the setting doesn’t produce the desired results, consult your owner’s manual for guidance and troubleshooting tips. 

If you own a Maytag^® fridge and/or freezer, visit this troubleshooting page to explore possible causes and fixes for a refrigerator or freezer that’s not cooling as intended. 

If you are unsure of how to fix an issue with your fridge or freezer, you can place a service call.

HOW TO MAINTAIN A STABLE FRIDGE AND FREEZER TEMPERATURE

Routinely monitoring your refrigerator and freezer’s temperatures can help ensure they aren’t set outside the required range. If your appliance lists a number 1 through 5 instead of degrees, it’s time to use an appliance thermometer to confirm which number to set for your fridge and freezer.

Remember, when organizing food in your fridge, you should do so in a way that doesn’t block the air vents. This can prevent the air from flowing freely between the fridge and freezer compartments. Additionally, a fridge can take hours to return to its normal temperature after you stock it with groceries. 

Read this article to learn more about how refrigerators and freezers work.

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