What is the optimal temperature in the refrigerator and freezer

Compliance with storage rules and the required temperature are relevant at any time.

CONTENT

  • 1 Distribution of cold zones in the refrigerator
  • 2 Optimum temperature in the refrigerator and freezer
  • 3 Average temperature in the refrigerator
  • 4 How to measure the temperature level
  • 5 How to set the temperature in refrigerators from different manufacturers
  • 6 Features of temperature regimes for products of different companies
  • 7 Fridge and freezer storage areas
  • 8 Storage table, or what temperature should be in the refrigerator to keep food fresh
  • 9 Instead of a conclusion - some useful tips

Distribution of cold zones in the refrigerator

Cooling equipment is designed so that each zone has its own temperature regime. In fact, it is very convenient and allows you to properly distribute any food, observing the storage requirements.

  1. Freezer - this area maintains temperatures in the range of -6 to -24 ° C Celsius.
  2. Upper and lower shelves - are considered one of the "warmest" places in the refrigerator (depending on the location of the freezer). As a rule, the temperature there is maintained within the range from +8 to + 10 ° С.
  3. Center shelves - always play the role of "golden mean", maintaining the regime from +2 to + 6 ° С.
  4. Refrigerator door - Traditionally, the inner space of the door is considered the "hottest" - up to + 10 ° С.
Knowledge of cold zones will ensure the safety and benefit of any product
Knowledge of cold zones will ensure the safety and benefit of any product

Optimum temperature in the refrigerator and freezer

In fact, the concept of "norms" for the temperature in the refrigerator is very conditional, since modern manufacturers calculate indicators in different ways and take into account the standards. Nevertheless, certain rules do exist. We will talk about them now.

How many degrees should be in the refrigerator - an exemplary value

After analyzing these factors and certain properties of food, experts agree that the normal temperature in the refrigerator is from +4 to + 5 ° C. However, this value does not take into account several external factors that make it impossible to always adhere to the regime. We will talk about them a little later.

Keeping the temperature at the best is the path to health.

How many degrees should be maintained in the freezer - the best result

In the case of the temperature in the freezer of an average household refrigerator, -18 ° C is considered optimal. However, it will only be effective if you use this compartment correctly. With rare use and a small amount of stored food, -14 ° C can be considered the best value. And with overcrowded shelves, it is better to set the temperature to -24 ° C.

Average temperature in the refrigerator

This indicator depends on two important conditions:

  1. Outside temperature - depending on the season, the temperature regime changes. Also, more or less heat penetrates into the interior of the refrigerator when opened.
  2. The amount of food stored - if the device contains too much supply (or, conversely, insufficient), then every time the owner opens the door, there is a temperature drop.

Empty space is one of the enemies of normal refrigerator operation.

 NOTE!

If in your technique the shelves are literally empty, fill several plastic bottles with ordinary water and place them in free space.

Average temperature in the refrigerator

Considering these factors, the average temperature of household and refrigeration equipment varies from +2 to + 5 ° C.

How to measure the temperature level

In older refrigerators, all indicators are displayed using mechanical sliders. For accurate measurement, you must use a thermometer, which is placed on a dry dish inside the chamber for 8-10 minutes.

Modern models of technology have electronic sensors for accurate calculation of all important parameters. The necessary information is displayed on a convenient external display.

Thermometer to measure the temperature value.
Thermometer to measure the temperature value. But you better put it on a saucer

How to set the temperature in refrigerators from different manufacturers

Different manufacturers of refrigeration equipment set the ability to control temperature in their own way. There are models with mechanical (sliders, levers, knobs, etc.) or electronic switches.

Temperature control in refrigerators from companies such as Atlant, Turquoise or Indesit, is carried out mainly with the help of mechanical regulators (most often you can find seven-position, rotating knobs). Firms Lg, NORD, Bosch, Samsung, Toshiba and others like them prefer to equip their products with electronic displays to control and change the level of cold. Also on the market there are models with separate control, which allow you to adjust both the indicators of the refrigerator compartment and how many degrees will be in the freezer.

Mechanical control with a remote display - clear and beautiful.

Features of temperature regimes for products of different companies

Each home appliance company has its own idea of ​​what the temperature should be in the refrigerator. Subsequently, this is reflected in the discrepancy between the mean values ​​for different models. It looks like this:


Company manufacturerTemperature in the refrigerator compartment, ° СFreezer temperature, ° С
Turquoise+2 to +5-20 to -22
Stinol+3 to +5-18
NORD+5-12
Atlant+3 to +5-18
Indesit+2 to +8-18 to -26
Samsung+3-18
Bosch+2 to +6-18 to -24
Lg+2 to +6-20

Fridge and freezer storage areas

So we come to the most important thing - each food product in the refrigerator has its own strictly defined place. Usually a person, having bought several packages of food, puts them on the shelves in random order. In fact, certain rules must be followed carefully to preserve the maximum health and freshness of any food.

Refrigerator temperature
Schematic distribution of products on shelves

Top or bottom shelf - This area is best for storing perishable food (note the location of the freezer!), Such as dairy products, fresh fish, meat products, cakes, etc.

Middle shelves - here you can place soups, fresh and boiled eggs, fruits and vegetables, sauces, groceries, as well as various soft drinks.

Door - this place is suitable for storing bottles with alcoholic and non-alcoholic products or vegetable oil. Also here you can store confectionery products that are undemanding to low temperatures (chocolate bars, sweets, etc.).

"Zone of freshness" - this term denotes pull-out containers located at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment. In it, the creators set a special regime - maintaining the temperature around 0 ° C. This area is considered an ideal site for preserving the beneficial properties of vegetables, fruits and herbs. Also, here you can place perishable food that will be eaten during the day.

Freezer - in this area, respectively, food products are stored that will not be in demand in the near future or that require compliance with the freezing regime. These categories include frozen meat or fish, berries, vegetables, convenience foods and ice cream.

Everything is laid out " on the shelves" - how convenient, practical, useful!
Everything is laid out "on the shelves" - how convenient, practical, useful!

 GOOD TO KNOW!

In addition to the food recommended for storage, there are several food products that definitely have no place in the compartments of refrigeration equipment. These include garlic, onions, tomatoes, citrus fruits, honey, various vinegars, nuts, as well as bread and exotic fruits.

Refrigerator temperature

Storage table, or what temperature should be in the refrigerator to keep food fresh


NameMaximum storage time, daysThe best temperature for preserving useful properties, ° С
EggsUp to 20 days+2 to +4
Meat (fresh, chilled)Up to 1.5 days+1 to +3
Fish or seafood (fresh)Up to 2 days+0 to +2
Sour cream3 days+4
CheeseUp to 20 days+2 to +4
Cow's milk14 days+0 to +1
Fermented milk productsUp to 10 days+4
Meat semi-finished products (ready-made dish)1 day+4 to +8
Peeled fresh vegetables1 day+0 to +4
Fresh greens2 days+4 to +6
Confectionery (with cream)Up to 72 days+1 to +3
Various saucesUp to 120 days+3 to +7
Good life hacks will always be used in the kitchen.
Good life hacks will always be used in the kitchen.

Instead of a conclusion - some useful tips

Now you have learned a lot about what should be the temperature in the fridge or freezer of the refrigerator. Concluding the story, the editors of our site give you some useful tips that will simplify the operation of your cooling household appliances:

  1. Never put food on the shelves that has not cooled down after being cooked. - it is fraught with temperature changes and damage to equipment;
  2. "Zone of freshness" requires special attention during cleaning - various contaminants caused by spoilage of products first of all appear there;
  3. Do not keep the refrigerator door open for more than 20 seconds - this leads to the failure of the apparatus;
  4. Procedures such as defrosting and cleaning the inner surface, should take place on an ongoing basis (even if there is a regime No.frost).

Defrosting and cleaning are two of these factors that are important for the normal operation of the refrigerator.

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