
Highlights
- The best temperature for a refrigerator is 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The best freezer temperature is zero degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lower numbers on a dial thermostat are the coldest fridge temperatures.
- An appliance thermometer can test temperatures for accuracy.
- Keep your fridge full to maintain internal temperatures.
What is the best setting for a freezer?
What should the LG freezer be set at?
- The numbers on the fridge's temperature dial indicate refrigerant power. The higher the number goes the colder the fridge will maintain.
- If you're always storing plenty of food you need the colder settings (3 to 4).
- As a general rule of thumb the front door of your fridge is its warmest place.
What is the optimal temperature for a refrigerator and freezer?
The ideal temperature settings for the refrigerator and freezer are 34 degrees F to 38 degrees F, or 1 degrees C to 3 degrees C. Is 38 degrees OK for refrigerator? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the recommended refrigerator temperature is below 40°F; the ideal freezer temp is below 0°F.
Is your freezer set to the right temperature?
The ideal temperature for freezers is 0º Fahrenheit. The colder temp ensures that food freezes through, and prevents deterioration. Make sure your freezer is at this temperature before you freeze food. Does a Colder Temperature Mean More Freezer Burn?
What temperature should a Sub Zero Freezer be set at?
Your Sub-Zero Refrigerator temperature setting should be set to 38°F. While you can set the temperature lower or higher depending on your preferences, a temperature above 45 degrees is not safe. According to the FDA, food stored at temperatures above 45°F for more than two hours will spoil.

Is 1 or 5 colder in a fridge?
Some fridges don't show the temperature but work on a setting that is listed from 1 to 5. The numbers on the fridge's temperature dial indicate the refrigerating power. Therefore, the higher the setting, the cooler the fridge will be. Choosing setting 5 will make your fridge the coldest.
What number should a freezer be at?
0ºFHow cold should a freezer be? Freezer temperatures should be set at 0ºF (-18ºC) to conserve the quality of your frozen food. A range of -1ºF- 1ºF is still acceptable, though to help minimize freezer burn, it's better to have your freezer on the colder end of the spectrum.
What number should a fridge be on 1 7?
You can use the fridge temperature setting 1-7 on any type of your commercial fridge. I have also shared the temperature which is cold and better for the fridge. The best way to keep food cold is to keep it in the refrigerator: You should aim for a temperature range of 35°-38°F (or 1.7°-3.3°C).
How do I know if my fridge is cold enough?
To check the temperature of a refrigerator, it's best to use food or liquid that has been in the compartment for at least 24 hours. The most common practice is to place a glass of water in the refrigerator (but not in the door) and let it sit for a day. Then place the thermometer in the glass to get a reading.
Which is colder on a freezer 1 or 7?
"1" is the warmest, "7" is the coldest, and turning the temperature dial to OFF shuts down the compressor. Set the dial to "4" and allow 24 hours to pass before adjusting the temperature to your needs.
What number should freezer be set at 1 9?
The Ideal Freezer Temperature It's pretty easy to remember: Your freezer temperature should be set to a chilly 0° Fahrenheit or below (-18° Celsius or below). Food stored at 0° Fahrenheit or below is safe to eat indefinitely (although quality and taste may be compromised as time passes).
What number should my Frigidaire freezer be set at 1 9?
The coldest setting is "9" and the warmest setting is "1". The "0" setting is OFF, which turns the cooling off. Turn knobs to lower numbers for warmer temperatures and to higher numbers for colder temperatures.
Is 1 or 7 colder on a chest freezer?
The temperature selection on a chest freezer is made by setting the dial from ONE to SEVEN, with SEVEN being the coldest. The normal safe freezing level is obtained by setting the control on FOUR. Turning the temperature control all the way to the left to the OFF position will turn the power off to the compressor.
What’s the best freezer temperature?
The recommended freezer temperature to keep your food safe is at or below 0°F (-18°C), but your freezer may need to be set higher or lower dependin...
What temperature should a freezer be to store food?
Freezing your food stops most bacteria from growing. In fact, your frozen food should be safe to eat indefinitely if your freezer stays at or below...
Is your freezer temperature set correctly?
Always start with the temperature recommended in your freezer manual. Wait for about 24 hours after any changes, then check inside. The temperature...
Can your freezer be too cold?
You can set your freezer temperature too low. A too-cold freezer shouldn’t negatively affect your food, but it could raise your electricity bill. L...
When should you adjust the freezer temp?
The environment around your freezer can affect how cold you should set it. If it’s in a garage or basement, you may need to adjust the temperature...
Where are the freezer temperature controls?
On standalone freezers, the temperature controls are normally on the inner sides or at the top center. While some refrigerators have separate contr...
What temperature should a refrigerator be?
Your refrigerator temperature should stay between 32ºF - 40ºF (0ºC - 4.4ºC), with 37ºF being the ideal spot for most foods. Also take into consider...
How cold should a freezer be?
Freezer temperatures should be set at 0ºF (-18ºC) to conserve the quality of your frozen food. A range of -1ºF- 1ºF is still acceptable, though to...
How do I set the recommended refrigerator and freezer temperatures to keep food safe?
To set or readjust the temperature on your fridge with electronic controls, use the touchpad buttons to update the settings. If you need to lower t...
How can I keep my fridge and freezer temperatures stable?
Regularly check your refrigerator and freezer’s temperature to make sure that they stay within the recommended range. If your fridge or freezer is...
My refrigerator isn’t keeping food cool. Now what?
If you notice that your refrigerator isn’t staying as cool as it needs to, check to see what your refrigerator settings are. Use an appliance therm...
What temperature should a freezer be?
The recommended freezer temperature to keep your food safe is at or below 0°F (-18°C), but your freezer may need to be set higher or lower depending on its environment and other factors. The typical freezer factory setting on Whirlpool ® refrigerators is a great starting point at the recommended 0°F (-18°C). Read on to get more answers ...
What temperature should a freezer be to store food?
Freezing your food stops most bacteria from growing. In fact, your frozen food should be safe to eat indefinitely if your freezer stays at or below 0°F (-18°C). Keep in mind that if you store food for a long time, it may be susceptible to freezer burn or have a different look and taste.
Where are the freezer temperature controls?
On standalone freezers, the temperature controls are normally on the inner sides or at the top center. While some refrigerators have separate control panels for the refrigerator and freezer, most have a shared control panel. You may find it on the inner sides, on the door or at the top center of either compartment. Some freezers let you change temperature in degrees, while others have numbers for general temperature ranges. You might press the up and down arrow keys or turn a dial to adjust. Check your manual for the specifics.
Why is my freezer door open?
If there’s lots of snowy frost, the temperature might be set too low for your freezer to remove moisture. An icy covering near the door gaskets (rubber seals around the door's edge) means they may be letting in air. If ice is all over the interior, your door may have been left open. Your ice cream is solid.
How hot should ice cream be before serving?
While ice cream’s ideal scooping temperature is 6° to 10°F (-14° to -12°C), that’s too high for long-term storage. It’s best to store it below 0°F (-18°C), then let it warm up a little before serving.
Can your freezer be too cold?
You can set your freezer temperature too low. A too-cold freezer shouldn’t negatively affect your food, but it could raise your electricity bill. Lower temps matter most when you’re adding new food, since fast freezing helps reduce texture and taste changes. Whirlpool ® upright freezers with the Fast Freeze setting drop temperatures to their lowest point for 24 hours to help freeze food quickly without unnecessarily keeping temperatures extra low over time.
How to set temperature on fridge?
To set or readjust the temperature on your fridge with electronic controls, use the touchpad buttons to update the settings. If you need to lower the temperature and your control pad is the kind that doesn't show temperature degrees, set the control a level higher. If you need to raise the temperature, set the control a level lower.
How can I keep my fridge and freezer temperatures stable?
If your fridge or freezer is one that lists a number 1 through 5 instead of degrees, use an appliance thermometer to figure out which number to keep your settings at.
What temperature should a refrigerator be?
Your refrigerator temperature should stay between 32ºF - 40ºF (0ºC - 4.4ºC), with 37ºF being the ideal spot for most foods. Also take into consideration where you’re placing items, since there are certain compartments that will be cooler than others.
How cold should a freezer be?
Freezer temperatures should be set at 0ºF (-18ºC) to conserve the quality of your frozen food. A range of -1ºF- 1ºF is still acceptable, though to help minimize freezer burn, it’s better to have your freezer on the colder end of the spectrum.
How to keep food from growing in freezer?
Use an appliance thermometer to find the ideal temperature for your freezer, and update your settings accordingly. Using the recommended refrigerator and freezer temperatures can help ensure your food items do not grow foodborne bacteria. Colder temperatures will slow the growth of the bacteria in food, so that you can enjoy it for ...
How long does it take for a fridge to go back to normal?
Keep in mind that after restocking your fridge it can take several hours for the temperature to go back to normal levels.
What can I put in the refrigerator door?
Refrigerator doors are slightly warmer, so things that have a longer shelf life like condiments and soda are great items to place in the door compartments. Your deli drawer and back of the fridge are typically the colder parts and should be used for items that are more perishable, like dairy products and cold cuts.
What temperature should a refrigerator be set to?
For refrigerators with electronic controls (most Side-by-Side and French-Door refrigerators) – Fresh food compartment should be set for 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer should be set for 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take for a refrigerator to stabilize?
If your refrigerator was just installed, it takes about 24 hours for the temperature to stabilize. It is preferred that you do not adjust the temperature from the recommended setting during the 1st 24 hours.
What temperature should a refrigerator be?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the recommended refrigerator temperature is below 40°F; the ideal freezer temp is below 0°F. However, the ideal refrigerator temperature is actually lower: Aim to stay between 35° and 38°F (or 1.7 to 3.3°C). This temperature range is as close as you can get to freezing without being so cold your food ...
How hot is a fridge?
Unfortunately, not all fridge temp gauges are accurate. You may have your fridge set to 37°F, but it's actually keeping temps around 33°F or even 41°F. It's not uncommon for refrigerators to be a few degrees off the mark you set.
How to keep fridge cool?
How to keep your fridge cool. If you find your refrigerator temperature is flirting with the 40°F mark despite your adjusted temperature settings, you can take a few steps to help your fridge maintain the ideal temperature. Let food cool before putting it in the fridge. Hot bowls of leftover soup or roast chicken can heat up ...
Why is it important to keep the refrigerator temperature?
Sticking to the ideal refrigerator temperature can help you avoid potential foodborne illnesses, too. The refrigerator is a miracle of modern food preservation. At the right refrigerator temperature, the appliance can keep foods cold and safe to eat for days, even weeks, by slowing the growth of bacteria. After all, in the world of the cold ...
How to protect your fridge from a leak?
To protect everything in your fridge, let foods cool for a bit (but not to room temperature—that will take too long) before covering and storing in the fridge. Check the door seals. Gaskets around the edge of a refrigerator door keep the cold temps in and the warmer temps out. If there's a leak in one of those gaskets, your cold air may be escaping.
Why is my fridge not cooling?
If there's a leak in one of those gaskets, your cold air may be escaping. That can make cooling the fridge properly more difficult (and use up more electricity, boosting your monthly electric bill). Stop opening the door so much.
Is it bad to keep your refrigerator cooled?
When food temps begin to climb above a certain point (about 40°F), bacteria start to multiple exponentially. Not every one of those bacteria is bad— but not every one is good, either. For both the quality of your food and to reduce the risk of food poisoning, you'd be wise to keep your fridge cooled to the recommended refrigerator temperature and follow good refrigerator maintenance guidelines.
What is the coldest setting in a refrigerator?
Quick answer: high number is the coldest setting. Refrigerator temp control setting number. Most refrigerator temperature settings are controlled with a dial or slider. They are sometimes labeled 5 through 9 or 1 through 1. If you are not sure what to set it, set it somewhere in the middle.
How to find the temperature of a refrigerator?
An easy way to find out the exact temperature is to use a simple inexpensive thermometer in the fridge. Most refrigerator controls do not show the actual temperature so it is a good idea to use a thermometer. Your refrigerator must be below 40 degrees F to be safe. Just about any refrigerator has the best temperature ideally at 37 degrees F.
What does it mean when your fridge is full of food?
If your fridge is full of food, it needs to be on a high number of settings to maintain a low (cool) temperature. The temperature controller dial or slider on your refrigerator is a thermostat. When the fridge is not cold enough it kicks the compressor.
How long does it take for a refrigerator to get hot?
Allow 12 to 24 hours between each adjustment.
What happens if you change the dial on a refrigerator?
If you change the dial to number 0, it effectively turns off the fridge. Setting the dial to 9, the refrigerator will be operating at its maximum capacity. Your individual temperature setting will depend on how much food is kept in the refrigerator. If your fridge is full of food, it needs to be on a high number of settings to maintain a low (cool) temperature.
Does a Whirlpool refrigerator have a temperature readout?
Most Kenmore, LG, Samsung, Maytag, GE and newer Whirlpool refrigerators have a true digital readout that displays accurate temperatures. These new refrigerators still have temperature control sliders, knobs, dials, and digital touch pad controls. This makes it very easy to know and control the exact temperature in your fridge or freezer. ...
What temperature should a freezer be?
For the freezer, the ideal temperature is -2 degrees Fahrenheit. Some models may have different recommendations in the user manual or on the control panel. As long as the fridge is under 40 and the freezer is at 0 or less, you will keep food fresh. Note: Some models display the temperature using bars.
How to adjust temperature on a refrigerator without touch screen?
On most models this will adjust the temperature down one degree (or temperature bar) each time. After it reaches the lowest setting it will cycle around to the highest. YouTube.
How many lights does a refrigerator need?
Note: Some refrigerator models display the temperature using bars. On these models, three lit bars is the recommended setting for both the fridge and freezer compartments.
What app to use to adjust temperature on Family Hub fridge?
On Family Hub fridges running version 6.0, you can use the SmartThings app to adjust the temperature.
What temperature should ice cream be frozen?
If you want harder ice cream, adjust the freezer to a cooler temperature. Likewise, if you want it a little softer, don't go below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take for a refrigerator to change temperature?
After making a change to the temperature, it can take up to 4 hours for the display to change to the temperature you have set and up to 28 hours for the refrigerator to actually achieve that temperature, if the doors are not opened.
How to place a thermometer in water?
Place the thermometer in a glass of water, and then place the glass as close to the middle of the compartment as you can.
How does the temperature go up on a refrigerator?
When you keep pressing the Fridge or Freezer pad, the temperature setting will go up until it reaches the maximum limit and then starts over at the lowest limit.
When to turn up the controls on a refrigerator?
In times where there is a high food load in the fridge (like holidays) or during the hotter summer months you may find it more effective to turn up the controls to make the entire refrigerator colder. You will find the best settings to suit your needs through experimentation.
How does a freezer control work?
Freezer Controls: The freezer supplies cold air to both compartments. Cold air is circulated from the freezer to the fresh food compartment via a damper. The freezer control regulates the damper between the two compartments by controlling the amount of cold air that flows into the fresh food compartment.
What are normal settings for a model with two controls?
Models with two controls - Normal settings would be 5 and C or 5 and 5.
What is fresh food control?
Fresh Food Controls: The fresh food control regulates how long the compressor runs, and in effect, how cold both compartments can become.
