The temperature of your refrigerator is important. It not only impacts how refreshing your beverages are, but also how long your food stays fresh. This article explains what the ideal temperature is for your refrigerator, as well as how to keep it at that temperature.
Best temperature for
refrigerators.
Ideally,
the temperature in your refrigerator should range from 35-38° F.
Anything lower than 35° and you risk freezing your foods and liquids
(milk slushy, anyone?). If you go higher than 38°, you approach what
some experts call “The Danger Zone”. At 40° and above, the
Danger Zone is the temperature range where bacteria growth rates
triple.
How to maintain your
refrigerator's temperature.
Most
refrigerators have a programmable thermostat which allows the owner
to select the temperature they prefer. However, many of these
thermostats use a “1-10” or “cold-coldest” scale instead of
indicating the exact temperature.
So, if
your refrigerator's thermostat doesn't have a precise temperature
setting, how can you be for certain that your food isn't in the
danger zone? There is only one way to be 100% sure, and that is to
buy a refrigerator thermometer.
If you
buy a refrigerator thermometer and closely monitor it, you will
notice that the temperature fluctuates throughout the day, which is
not good for you food. To keep your refrigerator's temperature as
stable as possible, use the following tips:
- Check your refrigerator's seal strength by closing the door on a dollar bill. If you can easily slide it up and down or remove it, your seal is weak and could be allowing cold air to escape.
- Keep your refrigerator well stocked. A fridge full of food maintains its temperature better when the door is opened than an empty fridge. Avoid over-stuffing it, however because a fridge that is too full will restrict air circulation and lead to warm spots.
- Minimize how many times you open your refrigerator. If you are preparing a meal that calls for several refrigerated items, take them all out in one trip and do the same when you put them back.
- Let hot food cool down before you put it in the refrigerator. Putting in food that is still warm can heat up the food around it, and the entire refrigerator.
24/7
Refrigerator Service is a fridge repair company located in New York.
We offer one-hour service to Long Island and New York City, as well
as 24-hour emergency service. With over 75 years of experience, don't
trust anyone else to fix your refrigerator – give us a call at
866-782-9376.
