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Q: I’m not sure if my refrigerator temperature setting is working properly. The foods in it don’t seem all that cold, but I have the dial set at the recommended level. What temperature should a refrigerator be?
A : This is a very good question , and a very authoritative one as well . Properly setting your freezer and electric refrigerator temperature helps ensure that intellectual nourishment are keep safely chilled for memory board . If these appliances are n’t set to the right temperature , the foods you store wo n’t remain cold enough , allowing the potential for bacteria to grow . When more bacteria grow , the chances of someone getting a foodborne unwellness after consuming one of the items in question gain significantly . If your freezer orrefrigerator is not cooling properly , it could be a sign that you need to exchange it . However , it could also think of you just have n’t selected the right temperature scope .
What temperature should a refrigerator be?
TheFood and Drug Administration ( FDA)recommends keep open refrigerators set at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit . The reason that this is the recommended normal refrigerator temperature range has to do with something known as the “ peril zone . ” As theUnited States Department of Agricultureexplains , the danger geographical zone is the temperature range between 40 degree and 140 degrees Fahrenheit . When the temperature of a food for thought item fall within this range , conditions are ideal for bacteria to multiply very cursorily . In fact , they may even reduplicate in number every 20 minutes .
The idealistic refrigerator temperature is between 35 level and 38 degrees Fahrenheit . Setting your fridge within this range will serve you maneuver unmortgaged of the peril zona by cater a niggling bit of wiggle elbow room .
What temperature should a freezer be?
According to the FDA , the ideal deep freezer temperature is 0 level Fahrenheit . temperature this cold will bear on nutrient items until they are deice and cook . Setting the appliance to 0 degrees Fahrenheit also helps to ensure that bacterium is not able to develop , keeping the solid food safe for farseeing - term store .
The normal deep freezer temperature passport from dissimilar manufacturers may vary slightly . Some recommend a range between 0 level and 5 degrees Fahrenheit , but sticking as near to 0 degrees Fahrenheit will be the safe choice for food safety and preservation . Keep in mind that these temperature recommendations use to various types of appliances , includingchest freezers , upright deep freezer , andmini Deepfreeze .
Use an appliance thermometer to measure fridge temp and freezer temperatures.
keep up the ideal chilling and freeze temperature in your appliances is substantive for food safety . However , many fridge and freezer models do not have a thermostat to severalize you what the accurate temperature is . They often just have a telephone dial with a few setting options , such as 1 through 5 or “ frigid , colder , frigid . ” Even models with a build - in thermostat may not be 100 percentage accurate .
Using an gizmo thermometer can help you monitor the electric refrigerator temporary worker and the freezer temp to ensure that your food remains safe . If you remark that one of the appliances is a bit warmer than it should be , then you could wrick the dial to a cooler setting or take other measure as needed to keep your food coolheaded .
Our Recommendation : Pecula Refrigerator and Freezer Thermometer ( 2 - Pack ) at Amazon for $ 6.99Pecula ’s contraption thermometer has a colouring - cipher , easy - to - read dial to help you supervise the temperature of your fridge and freezer . you may hang it on a ledge using the integrated hook , or place it on a fridge shelf .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Improve temperature control with by using and maintaining your appliances properly.
Refrigerators last about 10 to 15 yearson average , while standalone freezers typically last between 12 and 20 yr . Regardless of whether you have an older gadget or one that was of late purchased , using and maintaining it properly can help with both extend its lifespan and ensuring optimum temperature control . Below are a few wind to help you keep your Deepfreeze and fridge temporary powerful where they need to be for optimal food safety :
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Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
