Read our other guides on how to select the best refrigerator organizing a refrigerator for optimal efficiency and how to defrost a freezer.
Best temperature setting for refrigerator and freezer.
On most models the ideal temperature setting for the refrigerator is 38 degrees fahrenheit.
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.
Following these guidelines for setting temperature and best food placement in your fridge and freezer means you can minimize any food borne health threats from eating spoiled foods.
Keep the fridge full.
You also eliminate food waste and that keeps money in your bank account by saving on your grocery bill.
When a new batch of refrigerators comes into our labs we start by setting the ambient temperature in our climate controlled chambers to 70 f to simulate conditions in most home kitchens.
As long as the fridge is under 40 and the freezer is at 0 or less you will keep food fresh.
For the freezer the ideal temperature is 2 degrees fahrenheit.
Adjust the freezer settings as necessary to get the temperature in a safe range after making adjustments to either the freezer or refrigerator check the thermometer s temperature readout after five hours repeating the adjustment process until the reading is in the ideal range.
A full fridge is a happy fridge.
Protect your health and your wallet from spoiled food by setting your refrigerator to the recommended temperatures and following safe food handling procedures.
The same is true for your freezer.
Thinking about a new refrigerator.
The perfect temperature range for a freezer is at or slightly below 0 f and never more than 2 f.
The refrigerator temperature can stay cooler longer and keep foods cooled best if the shelves and drawers are mostly full.
The typical freezer factory setting on whirlpool refrigerators is a great starting point at the recommended 0 f 18 c.