Do you ever tinker with your refrigerator’s temperature setting, or do you just adjust the temperature dial depending on your liking? Because refrigerators and freezers are used to store food, setting them at their optimal temperature should be ensured. You want drinks to get cold at the right time, and you want food to maintain its shelf life, so they should be in a fridge with the right coldness. But what should be the right temperature for them? Check out this guide on finding the ideal temperature for your refrigerator and freezer.

What’s the Ideal Temperature for Your Refrigerator

The US Food and Drug Administration recommends refrigerator temperature to be not more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the ideal fridge temperature in Celsius is around 5 degrees. 

At this temperature, you prevent dangerous microorganisms from growing, like E. coli and salmonella. These microorganisms, when consumed by humans, can cause foodborne illnesses, which can be fatal. 

Perishable food items should not be left at room temperature for a long time, as the microorganisms that may be in them can multiply at a fast rate when not refrigerated.

What’s the Ideal Temperature for Your Freezer

For a refrigerator’s freezer, the FDA’s recommendation is for the temperature to be at zero degrees Fahrenheit or -18 degrees Celsius. 

Note, however, that this temperature only prevents the growth of harmful microorganisms and does not kill any that may already be in your food. Therefore, before you place food inside the freezer, be sure that it is thoroughly clean. You should also wash your hands before placing items in the freezer.

How to Adjust Refrigerator’s Temperature Properly

Now that you know the ideal temperature settings for your refrigerator and freezer, it’s time to make adjustments. This would be easy if your ref or freezer has an indicator that accurately shows the temperature. However, this function is not present in many refs and freezers, so you have to be creative. You can follow these steps:

How to Set Your Refrigerator Temperature

To properly set the temperature of your refrigerator, first, locate the temperature control dial. Not all refrigerators put controls in the same place, but if you can’t find your temperature control, check the owner’s manual. These are often posted online by the manufacturer, so don’t worry if you have misplaced your copy.

1. Locate the dial that controls temperature. It is usually located near the door hinge, but its placement varies depending on the model. Some would indicate the temperature, while others would just say “low,” “mid,” or “high.”
2. Adjust the temperature based on the recommended settings we mentioned earlier. Use a thermometer to estimate the temperature. It might not register the correct temperature right away, but that is fine.
3. Leave the thermometer on the middle shelf for about an hour. During this time, you may want to avoid opening or closing the refrigerator door.
4. After an hour, open the refrigerator and check the temperature registered by the thermometer. If it registers the temperature we are aiming for, then we are all good! Otherwise, adjust the settings again and repeat step 3 until you get the right temperature.

Some refrigerator models have instructions on how to set the temperature. You can check them on the manual. The manual may also have other important details, like a freezer temperature chart and the ideal temperature settings for particular ref models.

Tips to Cool Your Refrigerator and Freezer Efficiently

You want your refrigerator and freezer to have the recommended temperature settings not only for food safety but also for energy efficiency. However, without proper maintenance, their temperature may fluctuate. 

To avoid fluctuation of temperature and make your ref operate at optimal conditions, then you can follow these tips:

1. Have a gap of a few inches between the back of the refrigerator and the wall. Placing refs directly against the wall prevents proper air circulation.
2. Fully utilize your refrigerator’s storage. A full-stocked refrigerator actually consumes less energy than an empty or partially filled fridge.
3. Keep your refrigerator organized. If items in your fridge are carefully arranged, you can easily see and get the items you need. The faster you look for food, the less time the fridge door is open. A unit with an open door consumes more electricity.
4. Regularly check gaskets or door seals. The gasket keeps your refrigerator airtight. If it is loose or broken, cold air may leak out.
5. Clean the coils. The condenser coils are found at the back of the refrigerator, though not all models may have them. If your unit has these coils, make sure that it is free from dirt and dust. Otherwise, your refrigerator will not be able to release heat.
6. Defrost your refrigerator regularly. Frost buildup is normal with direct cool or manual defrost refrigerator. However, if you do not remove the frost buildup, it may affect how your fridge functions.

If you’re looking for a new refrigerator for your home, then we recommend a Condura refrigerator called Home Ultima No-Frost Inverter Bottom Freezer refrigerator. This is a two-door no frost refrigerator with the freezer located at the bottom part. It has a big freezer and can house up to 97L (12 cu.ft) and 84L (9cu.ft) food items. 

Another great feature of this fridge is its Easy-to-use LED Touch Panel, which allows you to manage the bottom freezer’s temperature setting easily! With just one touch, you can easily change the setting according to your liking, so you don’t have to go through the process of checking the temperature using a thermometer that we talked about earlier. And with electricity consumption as low as Php6 per day (Based on Meralco Average Daily Rate from October-December, CBF-254i Model), this model is a great buy!

A Condura refrigerator is your best choice not only because Condura offers top-of-the-line products, but also because it offers service with malasakit. With Condura, you will proudly and confidently say, “Iba ang Pinoy!”