Finding the perfect temperature for your fridge or freezer can be tricky and depends greatly on weather conditions. Since keeping foods chilled properly prolongs their freshness and permanence, sticking to an ideal temperature becomes crucial.
For instance, turning your fridge’s temperature down during warmer months can help your fridge adjust with the warmer air outside, which is the opposite of what you will require during winters. However, you will have to find the perfect balance to get the job done.
So what is the optimal temperature for fridge? What should you do if your fridge is no longer cold? Or is 10 degrees cold enough for a fridge?
Since a fridge takes care of your food, it would be wise to return the favor. This article will help you uncover the best settings that will help your fridge or freezer perform well in all weather conditions.
Ideal Temperature for Fridges and Freezers
| Temperature (Celsius) | Suitable for Fridge? | Suitable for Freezer? |
|---|---|---|
| -18° | No | Yes (Recommended) |
| 0° | No | No |
| 1° | No | No |
| 2° | Yes (Recommended) | No |
| 3° | Yes (Recommended) | No |
| 4° | Yes | No |
| 5° | Yes | No |
| 6° | No | No |
| 7° | No | No |
| 8° | No | No |
| 9° | No | No |
| 10° | No | No |
What Is Normal Fridge Temperature?
It would be best to keep your fridge’s temperature between 1.7 to 3.3°C to get the best results.
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, your fridge’s temperature should be below 4.4°C. However, many experts believe that the ideal temperature is below that mark, between 1.7 to 3.3°C.
This temperature range allows you to keep your foods fresh without the risk of freezing. You can toggle between the settings to adjust your fridge’s temperature, but it would be best to keep it below 4.4°C to avoid bacteria buildup.
Besides, temperatures above 3.3°C may spoil your food quickly, and you may experience tummy troubles or other health issues owing to bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella. Likewise, keeping the temperature at or below 0°C will freeze your food.
Is 10 Degrees Cold Enough for A Fridge?
Like we mentioned earlier, keeping your refrigerator’s temperature between 1.7 to 3.3°C is the best way to keep your food safe. If the temperature drops below the ideal range, your food will start freezing, which can hamper your food’s quality.
Likewise, a temperature rise is not ideal and may provide the perfect condition for bacteria to multiply. So if my fridge temperature is 10 degrees, the best thing to do would be to lower the temperature below 3.3°C. It would allow the refrigerator to work smoothly without losing food quality and safety.
How to Measure a Fridge’s Temperature?
The relation between food poisoning and fridge temperature is crucial as a slight increase or decrease in the temperature would be enough to ruin your food’s quality. However, even if you toggle between the settings on your fridge, it can be challenging to figure out the exact temperature.
Thankfully, you can use freestanding appliance thermometers to read your fridge’s temperature, which can help you determine and adjust it accordingly.
Here are the steps to check a fridge’s temperature using a thermometer:
- Place your appliance thermometer in the fridge
- Leave the thermometer for 20 minutes
- After 20 minutes, take the thermometer out and check the reading
- Adjust your fridge’s temperature according to the thermometer’s reading
Some refrigerators may not display the temperature. Instead, they use scales to measure or control the temperature. In such cases, the top-most scale would be the warmest option.
You can also use a glass of water to measure your fridge’s temperature. Although this method may take some time, it can provide the most accurate temperature readings.
4 Ways to Keep Your Fridge Cool
If your fridge is not maintaining an ideal temperature even after adjusting the temperature settings, it may be time to put in some extra effort. Here are some of the steps that you can take to maintain an ideal temperature.
Check door seals
Gaskets around the door’s edge may lose their functionality as your fridge grows old. If your gaskets are leaking, cold air inside the refrigerator may escape, making your food vulnerable to bacteria. These leaks may lessen the cooling effect and also use more electricity, increasing your electricity bill.
Do not put warm foods in the fridge
One common mistake many people make is keeping warm foods inside the refrigerator without cooling. For instance, a hot bowl of leftover soup will heat your fridge, allowing bacteria to multiply rapidly.
It would be best to let your food cool before you put them in the fridge.
Keeping the refrigerator full
Keeping a fridge full ensures that it stays cool for an extended duration. However, ensure that you don’t overcrowd your fridge’s drawers and shelves, which can hinder the airflow. You can use this technique with a freezer as well.
Do not open the fridge door unnecessarily
Opening a fridge’s door triggers two things – it allows the cold air to escape and warm air to get in. This airflow can influence your refrigerator’s temperature and make your fridge warmer, which will let bacteria multiply and spoil your food. It would be best to resist yourself from opening the doors without any reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal temperature for freezer?
According to experts, a freezer performs best when you set its temperature at or below -18°C. However, you can adjust your temperature depending on your requirements or the environment you keep in.
Is it ok for a freezer to be at 10 degrees?
As the ideal temperature is at or below -18°C, keeping your freezer at 10 degrees would invite various problems. The increased temperature will allow bacteria to multiply and spoil your food. At -18°C, your freezer stops bacteria from growing and keeps your frozen food safe to eat for an extended duration.
What setting is coldest from 1 to 5?
Many refrigerators don’t display the temperature in Celsius. Instead, they let you adjust the temperature on a scale of 1 to 5. The lowest count or 1 indicates the coldest option, while 5 is the warmest you can get. However, you can use a thermometer to get accurate temperature readings.
Wrapping Up
Temperature control is a crucial part of any fridge or freezer as it determines your food quality. An unnecessary increase or decrease in temperature can invite bacteria growth, which is not ideal for your food.
So the next time I find that my fridge temperature is 10 degrees, I would undoubtedly adjust my temps before it’s too late. 10°C is not ok, neither good, and certainly not the best, and if you find your refrigerator displaying this number, we bet you know what to do.