What temperature should be in the refrigerator and freezer: norms and recommendations

Properly selected temperature in the refrigerator for storing food affects their taste and shelf life. If it is too low, food may freeze, lose taste and appearance. High – leads to increased reproduction of bacteria, as a result of which food is dangerous to eat.

Having bought a refrigerator, we don’t even always read the instructions – we just turn it on. If there is no display, then we put the regulator in the middle position and consider that the normal temperature has already been set in it.

Temperature norm and its meaning

A refrigerator is a necessary attribute in every family. It helps keep food fresh, safe and healthy, and cool drinks. Not everyone thinks about the question of what temperature should be in the refrigerator and what it affects.

Correctly adjusted mode of operation is necessary for:

• safety of products;
• preventing the occurrence of an unpleasant odor;
• reduction of electricity consumption;
• increasing the time interval between defrosting the freezer;
• increase in the life of the equipment.

There is no single answer to the question of what should be the optimal temperature in the refrigerator and freezer. This indicator varies significantly in different zones of the refrigerator. It is necessary to take into account the set of products that is stored there, usually it ranges from – 2 to + 5 ° C.

If we are talking about a freezer, it is necessary to determine before choosing a mode how many products are stored in it, how often you open it, whether you use the “quick freeze” function.

Cold zones in the refrigerator

The indicator exactly set on the display is the average temperature in the refrigerator, i.e. temperature is different in different areas. It must be remembered that the lowest temperature is on the shelf closest to the freezer and at the back wall.

If the freezer is located below, then inside the refrigerator (set +4°C on the sensor) the zones will be distributed approximately as follows:

• lower shelf: 0 to + 3°C;
• next: from +3 to + 4°C;
• medium: + 4°C;
• upper: + 4 to + 6 °C.

These are average figures. The more often you open and close the door, the faster the space inside the chamber heats up.

Optimum temperature in zones

The coolness in the refrigerator is distributed depending on the distance from the freezer. This feature is very important, it allows you to choose the right place for products that require different storage conditions. Manufacturers recommend maintaining a standard temperature in the refrigerator at +4 ° C. These indicators allow you to create the necessary conditions inside and on the shelves of the unit.

The refrigerating chamber can be divided into zones:

1. “Fresh zone” – the compartment has from +5 to +8 ° C and a high level of humidity.
2. The shelves on the door are the warmest place. Depending on the frequency of opening, food is stored here at +5 – +10 °C.
3. On the middle shelves it is a little colder and is +3 – +5 °C.
4. The shelf at the top or bottom of the compartment closest to the freezer is the coldest place in the refrigerator. Depending on the location of the freezer, this is the top or bottom shelf. Here it will be at the level of +2 – + 3 °C.

The less often you open the door, the more evenly the cold is distributed throughout the internal volume of the unit. The selected value +4°C is the optimal temperature in the refrigerator under normal conditions, ensuring the safety of food. In strong heat, the indicator must be reduced.

The instructions for the unit indicate what temperature should be in the freezer – usually now this figure is -18 ° C. But if it is possible to regulate it, then you need to consider the following:

1. If you want to keep frozen food for up to one month, -6°C is sufficient. In this case, the products are laid frozen. Vegetables, fruits, legumes and fish need a lower storage temperature.
2. At -12°C, the same foods can be stored for up to 3 months without being defrosted.
3. At a temperature in the freezer at -18 ° C, the shelf life increases to a year.

Maintaining constant conditions is especially important during long-term storage; even a short-term increase in temperature sharply reduces its period. Modern models of freezers provide a freezing mode of -24 ° C, and storage at – 18 ° C. In modern models, freezing occurs at -24 ° C, then -18 ° C is automatically set, this is the optimal temperature for storing food in the freezer.

Average refrigerator temperature

Any household refrigerator has an operating temperature range, usually it ranges from 0 ° C to +8 ° C.

The average temperature in the refrigerator depends on several factors:

• door opening frequency – each time warm air enters the chamber;
• the degree of filling of the chamber – if there are very few products, when the door is opened, a sharp temperature drop occurs;
• environmental factors – the operating conditions in summer and winter are significantly different. The NoFrost system maintains the temperature regime of the refrigerator, ensures the smallest temperature difference.

The temperature in the freezer depends on the model, it is determined by the number of stars or snowflakes on the panel:

• (1 star) – from –6°C to –12°C;
• ** (2) – from –12°C to –18°C;
• *** (3) – from –18°C to –24°C;
• **** (4 stars) -24°C or colder on select models.

The recommended temperature in the refrigerator should be between +2 to +4 degrees Celsius, and in the freezer -18.

refrigerator door

The door of the refrigerator, as already mentioned, is the zone with the highest and constantly changing temperature. When the door is opened, warm air enters the products, after closing, the air begins to cool. It is important to consider the temperature at the refrigerator door and choose products that will remain fresh in such conditions.

In modern models, manufacturers offer shelves on the door designed for short-term storage:

• drinks;
• vegetable oils;
• hot sauces;
• vinegar;
• canned food;
• cheese;
• butter.

As a general rule, products that are intended for quick use can be stored in this area. Do not overload the door, skew can lead to leakage.

How to properly store food in the refrigerator

In order for food to stay fresh longer, it is necessary to place it correctly and set the temperature precisely.

You can not lay out the packages in any order, it is important to observe the following rules:

1. The coldest shelf (upper or lower depending on the location of the freezer) is intended for perishable food – meat and fish products, dairy products, desserts, open canned food.
2. On the middle shelves you can put pots with soup or borscht, side dishes, salads, boiled eggs.
3. On the door you can store bottles with drinks, vegetable oils, vinegar, containers with fresh eggs. This place guarantees the freshness of confectionery undemanding to temperature – sweets, chocolate.
4. Retractable containers located at the bottom of the chamber are called the “freshness zone”. The temperature is kept at 0°C, high humidity levels are maintained. Vegetables, fruits and herbs stay fresh for several days.
5. Freezer – a compartment for finding products that need to be kept fresh in a frozen state (meat, fish, semi-finished products, berries, vegetables, fruits, ice cream).

It is important to place food containers in such a way that they do not touch each other – this will ensure good cooling.

Recommended temperatures for food

The table shows the optimum temperature and recommended shelf life for different food groups.

Temperature control for different models of refrigerators

Manufacturers of refrigeration equipment deal with the issue of choosing a temperature control method in different ways.

The Belarusian plant “Atlant” produces single-chamber and two-chamber units. To set the temperature, there is a regulator that allows you to select one of 7 modes. The manufacturer recommends setting the regulator to 3. If this is not enough, you can move the mark to 5. When the required degree of cooling is reached, it is advisable to return the handle to 3 – this is enough to maintain the required level.

Atlant models with two compressors (separately for the refrigerating and freezing chambers) have 2 regulators. The temperature, set at 3 to 5, guarantees normal operation. Modern models are equipped with a digital panel to control the temperature in the freezer and refrigerator. As a rule, it is enough to set the necessary parameters. The exact information on how to set the temperature in the Atlant refrigerator is available in the instructions.

Setting the temperature in the Samsung refrigerator can be done in two ways – mechanical or electronic, depending on the model. In the first case, the installation is carried out using the thermostat knob, and in the second, using the service menu control buttons. The set parameters will be displayed on the display. In a two-chamber refrigerator, it is necessary to set the temperature in each chamber, they work independently of each other.

The temperature in the Indesit refrigerator is adjusted using a mechanical regulator designed for 5 positions. Dual motor models have a panel with two handles. The setting is made separately for the freezer and refrigerator. There is no digital scale, it is replaced by a thickening semicircular line with marks. The thicker the line, the lower the temperature.

To measure how many degrees in a refrigerator that does not have an electronic display, just put a glass of water for several hours and measure the temperature of the water. If the range is from +2 to +4 °C, then the unit is operating normally. An easier way is to simply put the thermometer in the refrigerator and check the readings after 15–20 minutes.

If the values ​​differ up or down, then adjust and measure again.