What Temperature Should You Keep Your Refrigerator and Freezer On? | Teems Electric

Deciding what temperature to keep your refrigerator and your freezer set to is about more than simply personal preference. Keeping food refrigerated and frozen at the optimal temperature has a whole host of benefits, including lasting longer in storage and reducing the opportunity for the bacteria that causes some food-borne illnesses to thrive, too.

Below, we will be looking at how to store your food safely in your refrigerator and freezer to save you money on your electricity all while keeping your food safe to eat for a long period of time.

Why Is It Important to Set the Refrigerator and Freezer Temperature Properly?

There are three main reasons why it is important to set your refrigerator and freezer temperature properly: It will help your food last longer, it will increase the safety of your food and it will prevent you from overpaying on electricity to run your refrigerator and freezer.

The ideal temperature for a refrigerator is between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Any higher and bacteria can begin multiplying rapidly, causing food to spoil, and any lower may lead to unintentionally frozen food and a higher electricity bill.

Freezers should be kept at zero degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that food stays solidly frozen and is not allowed to thaw and refreeze at any point.

How to Keep Your Fridge and Freezer Cool

While setting your refrigerator and freezer to the right temperatures is an important first step, there are also things you can do to help your chilling units do their job. Following tips such as the ones below can prevent your refrigerator and freezer from experiencing rapid temperature fluctuations and ensure your food is safe to eat.

  • Let food cool before putting it in the refrigerator or freezer.
  • Check that your door seals are properly insulating your fridge and freezer.
  • Avoid leaving the door open for any longer than necessary.
  • Keep the fridge and freezer full so that the food can work to insulate itself.
  • Use an aftermarket thermometer in addition to your unit thermometer to be sure your temperature readings are accurate.

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