What should be the temperature in the refrigerator, how to determine

Basic principles

What temperature should the refrigerator and freezer be?

• The ideal overall refrigerator temperature should be between +3 and +5°C.
• The freezer must maintain a temperature of -18° C or lower.
• In the freshness zone (if there is one), set the temperature to about 0-1° C.

After adjusting the thermostat, the desired climate will be established in 6-8 hours

These standards are suitable for storing most products, but still not for all - some supplies need to be stored at zero temperature, while others need to be stored at 5-10 degrees Celsius. Moreover, in different zones of the chamber the cold is distributed differently, despite the given general mode. Somewhere the climate is warmer, and somewhere noticeably colder.

So it turns out that even after adjusting the thermostat correctly, we can find milk with ice in the refrigerator, unexpectedly rotten eggs or lettuce leaves that for some reason have turned into a jelly-like slurry.

Of course, the average consumer does not need to know the intricacies of storage conditions for all types of products, but there are some recommendations that are not difficult to remember and apply in life. Our little guide will help you with this in the next section of the article.

Principles for setting the temperature in the refrigerator

Proper maintenance of the microclimate in the refrigerator will not only extend the shelf life of food, but will also increase the service life of the device itself. In addition, an optimal microclimate will reduce the number of breakdowns, minimize service maintenance, and you will not have to regularly defrost and clean storage compartments.

According to international food storage standards, the optimal refrigerator temperature should be from +3 to +5 °C, and in the freezer from -18 to -24 °C. But due to the technical features of household appliances, the temperature inside the chamber is distributed unevenly. There are areas with lower and higher temperatures. There is also such a thing as “Fresh zones”. These are the compartments of the refrigeration chamber where the temperature is constantly maintained at +1 – 0°C. They are ideal for storing raw meat, fish and fresh herbs. As a rule, manufacturers of household appliances indicate all possible temperature variations and deviations in each compartment.

By setting the refrigerator temperature in the range +3 - +4°C, the indicators for individual chambers will look like this:

1. The warmest zone of the refrigerator compartment is the doors. The average temperature in this department is +6 - +7°C, but sometimes it can reach as much as +10°C. Therefore, it is customary to store eggs, vegetable oils, various sauces, mayonnaise and products containing preservatives in the doors.
2. The temperature of the middle shelves fluctuates around +5 - +8°C. This is an ideal place to store ready-made dishes (porridge, soup, vegetable stew). Closer to the back wall of the refrigerator, the temperature will be lower (about +4°C). At this temperature, smoked meats, semi-finished products, and confectionery products are well preserved.
3. On the lowest and highest shelves, the temperature is the same, and it fluctuates between +2 - +3°C. In such conditions, perishable foods (cheeses, cottage cheese, yoghurts, milk, boiled eggs) are well preserved.
4. The temperature in the boxes for fruits and vegetables is about +8°C. This temperature is great for storing fresh fruits, vegetables and root vegetables.
5. For a freezer, the normal temperature range is from -6 to -30°C. In practice, this indicator is within -14°C. This temperature is suitable for storing semi-finished products (dumplings, dumplings, cabbage rolls, nalistniki). But for shock freezing this temperature will not be enough, so the shelf life of meat and fish will be no more than two months.

Proper distribution of food in the refrigerator will help maintain an optimal microclimate.

What temperature in the refrigerator is considered optimal?

Storage of different products requires different temperature conditions, but the optimal range is considered to be from +2 to +5 ºC. At the same time, the temperature inside the chamber can vary depending on many factors: how high the shelf is, how often you open the door and how hot the food is in the refrigerator.

The coldest zones in classic refrigerators are the areas near the back wall and the shelves closest to the freezer. If we consider a unit with a freezer in the lower part of the case, then the lowest temperature will be on the bottom shelf, and the highest will be in the upper zone. Therefore, products that need more coolness should be stored below in such refrigerators, and food that is best not to be frozen (fruits, sauces) should be stored on the upper shelves.

At what temperature should different foods be stored in the refrigerator?

• Fresh fruit: 5-8
• Fresh vegetables: 4–7
• Bread and pastries: 5-6
• Sauces (mayonnaise, ketchup): 3-7
• Sausages: 0-8 (depending on the variety)
• Cheeses: 0-4 (depending on the variety)
• Dairy products: 4
• Ready meals and drinks: 2–5
• Confectionery, cakes: 1–3
• Eggs: 2–5
• Chilled meat: 1–3
• Chilled fish and seafood: 0–2

Detailed requirements for shelf life and storage conditions of products are described in SanPiN 2.3.2.1324-03.

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Despite the fact that, in fact, there may be not one, but a whole range of temperatures in the refrigerator, many manufacturers offer to set only one value - it will be the average for the entire chamber. We recommend setting this parameter to +3 or +4 ºC. Then you can store meat and cheese on the bottom shelf (closer to the freezer), dairy products and ready-made meals in the middle zone, and fresh fruit at the top.

Another thing is modern devices with the function of uniformly distributing cold air inside the chamber. It may be called MultiFlow or All-Around Cooling, like Samsung models. For example, the Samsung RB5000A refrigerator we recently tested uses an entire system of air ducts to keep both the top and bottom shelves at the same temperature.

Also, advanced models may have separate “freshness zones”, like the Samsung RB5000A. This is a separate shelf (box) for storing vegetables, fruits, chilled meat and fish, which has its own temperature regulator to set a separate mode that is optimal for the products.

Refrigerator temperature range

Let's look at the averages. They may differ in one model or another - it all depends on the distance of the storage area from the freezer.

Freshness zone

The usual temperature here is from zero to +1 degrees.

The compartment is a godsend for proper storage of meat and fish. Thanks to this approach, the products do not deteriorate, while maintaining their taste and appearance. Read more on the page “Proper storage of food in the refrigerator.”

Food must be wrapped in film or placed in a container. You can put in the freshness compartment:

• Fresh meat and fish products.
• Semi-finished products.
• Sausage.
• Dairy products.
• Greenery.
• Fruits and vegetables.

Next comes a zone with a storage temperature of +2-4 degrees. A great place for meat products that will be cooked soon. In Atlanta, egg trays are located here.

To maintain optimal conditions you need to:

1. It's good to close the door.
2. Do not place hot food.
3. Do not fill the chamber with food.

Middle shelves

What are the indicators at this level? Maximum: +6 degrees, minimum: +3.

You can supply ready-made dishes: borscht, porridge, sauces.

Containers for vegetables and fruits

They are at the very bottom, so the readings there are +8 degrees.

Important! When loading food, distribute it according to zones correctly. Otherwise, they will quickly deteriorate in inappropriate conditions.

Shelves on the door

This place is the warmest: +5-10°C. When the door is opened, a constant transition from a cold to a warm environment is created. Therefore, it is not recommended to place eggs and dairy products on the door. It is better to put sauces, oils, seasonings.

Temperature conditions for different manufacturers

It is impossible to say without reservation what temperature is normal. You always need to consider the manufacturer and the specific model. This is the only way to understand how much food is required for long-term storage:

• Atlas - from +3 to +5.
• Samsung - +3.
• LG - from +2 to +6.
• Indesit - from +2 to +8.
• Bosch - from +2 to +6.
• Haier - from +3 to +5/
• Liebherr - from 0 to +6.
• Stinol - from +3 to +5.

In the freezer the norms are different. For most manufacturers it does not exceed -18. But for Liebherr the minus can reach -38. This is especially true for models with the No Frost function.

But there are average values ​​of optimal temperatures. Experts believe that the standard indicator is from +4 to +5°C. But this does not take into account factors that affect degrees Celsius:

• room temperature;
• How often do you use the device?

The last factor is key. If the equipment is rarely used and few products are stored, the temperature may be 1-2 degrees higher.

Important! It’s bad if many shelves remain empty. This affects the operation of the device. If you store a small amount of food in the chamber, temperature changes occur more often. It leads to rapid wear and tear of equipment. Also, the drop can be caused by frequent opening of the door, so this should not be done.

Temperature storage standards for different categories of products

Due to the fact that each product is stored at an individual temperature, there are standards for each zone of the refrigerator.

1. Meat. This product is best stored at temperatures from +1 to +3. If the temperature is higher, the meat will quickly deteriorate, and if it is lower, it will freeze, after which it will lose its juiciness.
2. Sausage, frankfurters and other sausage products are perfectly stored at +2- +5 degrees.
3. Cooked dishes are ideally stored at +2- +4 degrees. First courses must be stored at +4- +5, otherwise they risk disappearing or freezing.
4. Vegetables will last longer at a warmer temperature: from +4 to +6 degrees. Boiled vegetables will last longer at +3-+5 degrees.
5. The ideal temperature for storing fruit is +4-+8 degrees. However, if the fruit is exotic, then it is better not to store it in the refrigerator at all, since it loves warmth.
6. Dairy products prefer to be stored at +1-+5 degrees, neither higher nor lower.
7. Eggs are stored in the same way as milk. Only quail eggs require a colder climate - they need to be provided with a temperature range from 0 to +3 degrees.
8. Fish and seafood. For fresh fish, the storage temperature is 0-+2 degrees, for cooked fish - from +2 to +4. Fresh and cooked seafood will be better preserved at +4-+6 degrees.
9. Cheese loves a temperature of +3-+5 degrees, in accordance with the variety and quality of the product.
10. Ready-made sauces, mustard and mayonnaise in sealed packaging are stored at 0-+6 degrees, and when opened from +1 to +5 degrees.
11. Bread and confectionery products are stored well at +3-+5 degrees. If it is warmer, the bread will become moldy, but if it is colder, it will dry out quickly.

Therefore, for many products stored in the refrigerator, +2 to +5 degrees will be ideal.

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By the way! For ease of use of the refrigerator, the best temperature conditions that meet the standards are set during its production.

What is the operating temperature in refrigerators of various brands?

The instructions for each device indicate ideal indicators.

• "Indesit". Refrigerator compartment: +3-8°C. Freezing: -18°C, during “Super Freezing” -24°C.
• "Samsung". Main range: +3-7°C, freshness zone supports from -1 to +3 degrees. Freezing is carried out at -18-25°C.

• Bosch's performance is the same as Samsung's.
• Correct operation of Liebherr is possible at +8°C when cooling and -25°C when freezing.

To correctly set the operating mode, you need to take into account the manufacturer’s recommendations and pay attention to the climate class of the equipment. This directly affects the service life.

Why do you need to adjust the temperature?

Why do you need to set the optimal temperature in the refrigerator?

What does the best refrigerator temperature mean? Adjusting this indicator makes sense:

• Products last longer.
• A suitable microclimate is the key to preserving the freshness, excellent taste and vital properties of food.
• Extending the service life of refrigeration equipment.
• The desired temperature in the refrigerator means there is no need for frequent time-consuming defrosting.
• There is no problem of unpleasant odor from the depths of equipment.

How is cold distributed in refrigerators and freezers?

Still, if you set the overall value to 2-4° C, this does not mean that it is observed in every corner. As a rule, cooling of individual zones follows the following scheme:

1. Top shelf. Closer to the back wall is the coldest: the optimal temperature in the refrigerator for storage is 2-3° C. This zone is suitable for perishable products - meat, fish, seafood and various semi-finished meat products.
2. Middle shelf. The recommended temperature in the refrigerator is 3-5° C. This is the zone for dairy products, sausages, sausages, ham, cheeses, bread, perishable fruits and vegetables.
3. Bottom drawer. The optimal temperature for food in the refrigerator is 5-8° C. An ideal microclimate for fresh vegetables and fruits is created here.
4. Door shelves. They cool less than anything else: the optimal temperature in the refrigerator for storing food is 5-10 ° C. Sauces and bottles of drinks are placed here.

What should be the optimal temperature in the refrigerator upon departure? If you are leaving for a long time and there is no food left in the appliance, switch the appliance to the “Vacation” option. The inside of the device will be at the high recommended temperature in the refrigerator and freezer, and the compressor will begin to operate at gentle speed. With this precaution, upon your return you will not be greeted by a persistent unpleasant odor from the refrigerator compartment - the result of the vital activity of proliferating bacteria.

Recommended refrigerator and freezer temperatures

What is the optimal refrigerator and freezer temperature?
What temperature is best to set in the refrigerator? First, the basic values:

• What is the optimal temperature in the refrigerator? 2-4°C .
• Optimal freezer temperature: -18° C. Check how full the chamber is and how often you open it. If there is little food and you rarely use this compartment, set it to -14° C. What temperature should be set in the refrigerator if the compartment is opened often, it is loaded with more than 50%, and the overwhelming majority of products are meat? Set to -20-24° C.

Knowing what the optimal refrigerator and freezer temperatures are means you can jump right into settings. Do you need to quickly freeze fresh food? You can temporarily activate the “Quick Freeze” mode at -24-30° C. The option works for several hours, but it helps not to lose the excellent taste for greens, berries and vegetables.

Correct sides of storage

Manufacturers of different models of equipment have thought through each of the storage areas. We chose the correct temperature that should be set in each compartment and assigned them a product category:

• The top and middle shelves are recommended for storing prepared food, sausages;
• Bottom shelf - stores fresh raw meat, fish, fresh shrimp and other seafood, as well as milk, cabbage, mushrooms, vegetables, fruits, berries and eggs;
• The entire drawer is designed to store herbs, vegetables and fruits;
• The door is good for sauces, mayonnaise, sunflower oil, cheese, butter, wine and other alcoholic drinks.

The freezer area is necessary for the long-term storage of frozen meat, chicken, fish, seafood, cold cuts, dough, semi-finished products, frozen vegetables, berries and fruits.

cooling chamber

In order to understand what temperature should be in the refrigerator, you need to know under what conditions different types of products should be stored.

Optimal temperature for storing different types of food

• Meat is perfectly stored at temperatures from +1 to +3 degrees. This way it doesn't freeze and doesn't spoil so quickly. If you make the temperature higher, it will disappear faster, and if it is lower, it will freeze and become less juicy after defrosting.
• Sausage and sausage products prefer a temperature range from +2 to +5 degrees.
• It is best to store ready-made culinary dishes at a temperature of +2 to +4 degrees. Soups or other dishes on water should be stored at +4 - +5 degrees. At lower temperatures they may freeze.
• Vegetables prefer higher temperatures, from +4 to +6 degrees. It is better to wound boiled vegetables at a temperature of +3 - +5 so that they do not lose their nutritional value.
• In order to preserve dairy products such as kefir, cottage cheese, sour cream, milk and butter, you should set the temperature in the refrigerator from +1 to +5 degrees.
• Eggs are also stored in the same temperature range, with the exception of quail eggs - from 0 to +3 degrees.
• Seafood and fish. Fresh fish likes temperatures from 0 to +2 degrees, cooked to +4. Fresh seafood - from +4 to +6, cooked - up to +6.
• Fruits. Exotic fruits should not be kept in the refrigerator because they love warmth. The rest of the fruits are stored in temperature conditions from +4 to +8 degrees.
• Ideal conditions for storing cheeses are from +3 to +5 degrees, depending on the type, fat content and hardness.
• Bread and confectionery products. It is better to keep them in the refrigerator at a temperature of +3 to +5 degrees. When the frame is lowered, the bread will become stale; when raised, it will become moldy. Products with condensed milk, creams, cream or cottage cheese can be stored for a long time from -1 to +3 degrees.
• Mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard can be stored from 0 to +6 degrees in closed packaging, and after opening - from +1 to +4 degrees.

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Thus, the optimal temperature for storing most products is from +2 to +5 degrees.

Different parts of the refrigerator maintain different temperatures. This was done to make it possible to store different products at the same time.

Freshness zone

This compartment cannot be found in every refrigerator, but nevertheless, manufacturers are placing it in their models more and more often. The peculiarity of this department is that the temperature here ranges from 0 to 1 degree. This allows you to stop the proliferation of microorganisms, while the products do not freeze and retain their beneficial properties, taste, smell and color. This chamber is great for storing products such as

• fresh meat
• fish (red and black caviar are an exception)
• sausages
• semi-finished meat products
• milk products
• cheeses
• vegetables
• greenery
• fruits

All products must be in sealed packaging.

On the next shelf from the zero zone, the temperature ranges from +2 to +4 degrees Celsius. Semi-finished products, meat, sausages, fish, milk, confectionery, and eggs are stored here for a long time. On the refrigerator door opposite this shelf there are compartments for eggs.

In the middle of the refrigerator compartment the temperature is maintained from +3 to +6 degrees Celsius. These are optimal conditions for storing soups, vegetables, sauces, bread and other products.

At the bottom of the refrigerator there are drawers or shelves for vegetables and fruits, root vegetables. The temperature here should be around 8 degrees Celsius. This is the maximum temperature setting for the refrigerator compartment.

Features of food storage

Products should be stored carefully packaged to prevent them from becoming dry due to air circulation, as well as to prevent the spread of their odors to other products and the absorption of foreign aromas.

Do not place hot or warm foods inside the refrigerator; wait until they cool completely.

Refrigerator doors should be closed tightly and opened for a short period of time to prevent temperature disturbances.

Do not stack food very tightly, as this interferes with the free circulation of air and interferes with the operation of the refrigerator.

If you follow these simple tips and properly arrange food inside the refrigerator, it will never go missing during its shelf life.

How to regulate the temperature in the refrigerator

The setup and operating instructions will help you set the temperature correctly in a household refrigeration unit. This procedure varies depending on the control system for different models. There are household refrigerators with electronic and mechanical interfaces. In the former, an electronic display helps set the temperature in the refrigerator; in the latter, there is a regulator in the form of a rotary disk or wheel. There are also models with separate control modes.

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Initially set the temperature in the range of +2...5°C. Further adjustments are made experimentally. Temperature indicators depend on many factors: how loaded the refrigerator is, its technical condition, service life, frequency of door openings, etc. The air temperature in the room is especially important. Most models function normally at +16...30°C.

Expert recommendations:

1. With the onset of the new season, the indicators should be reset. In summer, the temperature in the device decreases, and in winter it increases.
2. Even with a built-in digital temperature display, you need to check the readings with a thermometer several times a year.
3. If after making adjustments the temperature has not changed, you must contact the service center.

Electronically controlled

You can set the temperature on an electronically controlled refrigerator on a special display. Most often, manufacturers install it at the top of the device under the freezer. You can adjust the indicators using the arrows. If the model is equipped with a keyboard, you just need to enter the required parameters. Once the temperature is set, you need to check it with a thermometer. This procedure is recommended even in devices with a built-in temperature sensor.

With mechanical control

The temperature of a mechanically controlled refrigerator is controlled by a switch, which is usually located at the top of the cabinet or inside the refrigerator compartment. Depending on the manufacturer and model, it may have a different shape. To set the required indicator, you need to turn the knob or move the switch to the desired position. The positions of the regulator in different models are marked differently: from 0 to 7, from Min to Max, etc.

To increase the temperature, you need to turn the knob or move the slider to the right, and to lower it, to the left. After 6-8 hours, it is recommended to check the temperature in the chamber using a thermometer. If they do not meet the requirements, a correction is made. This is done until the temperature reaches the desired temperature. It is recommended to mark the optimal switch position with a marker.

With separate control modes

In such models, setting and adjusting the temperature in the chambers is controlled separately by different switches. For example, a similar system is used in most Samsung models equipped with the No Frost system. The temperature in the refrigerator compartment is initially set to +3°C. To change it, press the switch button the required number of times. The available range is +1…7°С.

The temperature parameters in the freezer are adjusted in the same way. Settings available in the range -14…25°С. In addition, there is a fast freezing mode that lasts for 3 days. The machine will then return to the previously configured settings. A similar control system operates in household refrigerators from LG, Bosch, Liebherr, Stinol.

How to measure and regulate cold levels

The ability to adjust the refrigerator temperature depends on the device used. For owners of modern appliances, this task is completely solvable - usually the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer can be adjusted using electronic or mechanical controls. There are models with an unregulated operating mode; these can be office devices or small-sized devices.

To know exactly how well the selected operating mode of the equipment meets expectations, you need to have an idea of ​​the level of cold. Some modern devices are equipped with indicators that display the temperature distribution in various compartments. Much more often, you can control the temperature only with a thermometer. Let's consider various options for adjusting and controlling the cold level.

With electronic system

Many modern models are equipped with an electronic control system. This system allows you to set the desired temperature parameters. In addition, the control panel often displays the current temperature in the refrigerator. The control panel may be located on the outer surface of the refrigeration equipment, or may be covered by a door. The controls can be touch or push-button, making it easy to set everything up. Electronic control is the most user-friendly system. With its help, it is very easy to establish what temperature should be in the Indesit refrigerator or in any other refrigerator equipped with a similar control system.

With mechanics

Budget models are usually equipped with a Mexican control system. In this case, the control elements are located inside the device. The optimal operating mode often has to be established experimentally, starting from the minimum or maximum value of the compressor power. So, for example, the temperature in the Atlant refrigerator is regulated by a wheel switch located inside the refrigerator compartment. The required parameters are set by rotating this wheel.

To find out whether the set mode of operation meets expectations, you will need a thermometer. It is recommended to place the thermometer in a glass of water and place this glass on the middle shelf of the refrigerator. To ensure maximum measurement accuracy, it is advisable not to open the door for 12 hours (however, it is widely believed that 8 hours is enough for this). If the temperature regime after such a measurement turns out to be non-optimal, you will have to adjust it again using the switch and measure the cold level again.

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With separate settings

In devices with separate temperature settings, there are two regulators, separately for the freezer and refrigerator compartment. Controls can be electronic or mechanical, such as temperature controllers in Atlant refrigerators. Apart from the possibility of separately adjusting the operating modes of refrigeration equipment, such a system does not have any other features.

Climatic class of equipment

Modern refrigerators are manufactured according to the zonal principle. All countries or their individual territories are classified according to climate characteristics.

For example, for a group of Scandinavian countries, models with a slightly lower thermal insulation rating are relevant. The compressor is also somewhat deformed. And for countries in the hot tropics, more powerful and wear-resistant devices are needed.

It is logical that if the average annual temperature in the room is several degrees higher, the refrigerator will work more intensively. Therefore, a device model for hot countries costs more than a similar one for the Scandinavians.

Follow the instructions for using the refrigerator. If they are violated, the actual temperature reading will not be equal to the nominal temperature for the selected operating mode

Often the compressor runs almost continuously in tropical countries. However, even under such conditions it is difficult for him to provide the temperature corresponding to the selected mode. Which is not surprising when warm air with a conventional temperature of 40 ºС heats the device from all sides.

Refrigerators for tropical countries are slightly more expensive than their counterparts for cold countries. It is difficult to find them on our market, but according to most technical characteristics they look more convincing.

Capabilities of modern refrigerators

Manufacturers offer a wide range of home freezing equipment with different numbers of compartments and freezer capacity. Standard indicator of the sub-zero temperature range of refrigeration equipment: from -6˚С to -25˚С. The units differ in functionality:

• Atlant brand models support three levels of cold. The data is indicated on the regulator. There is a compartment for quick freezing of homemade products.
• LG refrigeration equipment is classified, the degree of cold depends on the number of freezing chambers: for one the limit is -12˚С, two- and three-chamber options are designed for -26˚С. The fast freezing function is not available on all models.
• Household appliances are standard, the minus range is from 18 to 26. The controls are mainly touch-sensitive.
• offers several variations with one temperature range (14–25), smooth adjustment.

Hunters and fishermen purchase freezing chests that provide rapid freezing due to extreme cold; the unit maintains -45˚C.

Super freezing – this function is designed to freeze a large amount of food in a short period of time.

What temperature should be in the freezer compartment of a household refrigerator?

If you decide to purchase a two-chamber refrigerator, then select a model. The units from Samsung, Atlant, Liebherr, Bosch, and Biryusa are considered good. The models of these companies have simple instructions that you can quickly understand.

In the production of refrigeration chambers, the latest technologies are used, which ensure long-term storage of products. This no-frost system ensures optimal freezing of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits, but at the same time a large layer of ice does not form on the surface of the freezer.

But before you start storing food in the freezer, you should carefully study the operating instructions. You can find the necessary recommendations for the correct use of the freezer.

The refrigeration appliance has a panel on which there may be sliders, toggle switches, buttons or a touch screen.

Using these devices, you can correctly set the temperature in the freezer in summer and winter. But its setting is carried out within the limits set by the manufacturer.

Important! The norm that should be in the freezer ranges from -6 to -24 degrees Celsius. The average temperature is minus 18 degrees Celsius.. Correct adjustment occurs in accordance with the type of product that will be in the chamber

The freezer regulator has three switching stages

Correct adjustment occurs in accordance with the type of product that will be in the chamber. The freezer regulator has three switching stages.

Each of them allows you to reduce the temperature level by 6 degrees:

First stage. It ensures that the temperature limit is maintained from minus 6 to minus 12. It is used when meat and fish need to be stored for a short time - a maximum of three months.

Second stage. It supports from -12 to -18 degrees Celsius. Used for long-term preservation of meat products, as well as mixtures of vegetables and berries.

Third stage. The last level ensures that the temperature regime remains in the range from -18 to -24 degrees Celsius. It is considered a turbo mode, which is connected for instant freezing. If you need the meat to last longer than the required storage period (8-12 months), then it is better to leave this mode in working condition.

Useful tips for setting the refrigerator temperature

Don't forget the following:

• The “killers” of your refrigerator are not completely cooled soups and side dishes that you are in a hurry to put away inside.
• Do not open/close the equipment door suddenly, quickly, with a jerk or slam.
• Don’t forget that the refrigerator needs to be washed and ventilated periodically—the freshness area especially needs cleaning.
• Do not abuse high temperatures and the “Super Freeze” options: the more the device operates at “high speed”, the faster it will fail, and the more ruinous the electricity bill will be.
• It is better to store all “liquid” products in airtight containers with a lid, sealed bags with zippers.
• Monitor the temperature in the room where the refrigerator is located. Most of these household appliances can function at 16-18° C. If the kitchen is colder, the equipment breaks down faster.
• Don't forget to do a complete defrost from time to time.

Expert advice

Experts always give several recommendations to extend the life of the refrigerator temperature sensor.

Here's what to remember:

1. Do not place warm or hot foods in the refrigerator. They must cool down first. If you need to speed up the process, you can put them in cold water.
2. Try to use packaging. The best option would be bags or containers.
3. To achieve uniform cooling, you do not need to fill the chamber more than 75%.
4. If you need to load a lot of products, and therefore the door will remain open for a long time, the regulator should be set to the minimum value. This will reduce the load on the compressor. But after loading is complete, you need to return to the optimal value and close the door.
5. If there is no indicator that the door is closed, then it is worth checking that it has been slammed tightly enough. Otherwise, the cold will escape, which will make the engine work harder. Extreme loads can cause it to break.
6. With the onset of the new season, the indicators should be reset (available only for models with an electronic panel).
7. Several times a year it is worth checking the indicators using a thermometer. If there is a significant deviation from the given norm, you need to contact a specialist to prevent more serious consequences.
8. It is necessary to periodically restore order in the freshness zone. It becomes most contaminated, and from there pathogenic microorganisms spread to other products.
9. You should not set maximum values ​​in both chambers of the refrigerator. This will force the compressor to work as hard as possible, which will quickly lead to its failure.
10. Be sure to defrost the refrigerator, despite the No Frost system. But if it is available, this can be done 1 – 2 times a year.

That is, you need to consider what exactly is stored in the refrigerator and freezer to determine the optimal temperature. The absence of the MultiFlow function allows you to correctly distribute products and take into account their storage requirements, since the amplitude is several degrees.

Optimal temperature in the refrigerator compartment

Manufacturers recommend setting the temperature in the refrigerator from +2 to +5 degrees.
Many devices automatically set it, but users have the opportunity to change these settings. An amplitude of 3 degrees is critical for some food products, so great attention should be paid to storage rules.

There are several cases where you need to know the temperature in the refrigerator:

• Check the functionality of the device.
• When you need to check whether the selected mode is suitable for those products that are stored.

• To check if it is cold enough to meet shelf life.

There are requirements for food storage in accordance with SanPiN:

Expert opinion

Torsunov Pavel Maksimovich

Therefore, it is necessary to consider what exactly is in the refrigerator to determine the optimal temperature.

Features of cold distribution

You also need to take into account exactly how the cold flows are distributed in the chamber. If the MultiFlow function is available, the air is distributed evenly, including in the freshness zone. However, in its absence, it is coldest at the far wall.

It’s worth considering what the temperature regime will look like if you set everything to +4:

1. If the freezer is located at the bottom, then it will be about +3 degrees. It is recommended to store fish, meat and other perishable foods here. It is believed that this is the coldest place. The closer to the back wall, the colder it is, since the refrigerant is located there.
2. On the middle shelves the temperature is from 3 to 5 degrees. It is recommended to store dairy products, fruits, bread and various cuts on them.
3. The door shelves are the warmest place if there is no MultiFlow function. There may be 5 – 10 degrees. Thus, it is worth storing ketchup, mayonnaise, drinks and anything else that can be kept at such high temperatures for a long time.
4. The freshness zone is for vegetables. It has its own microclimate, which is slightly different from the climate in other areas of the refrigeration chamber, and the temperature does not exceed 8 degrees.

The absence of the MultiFlow function does not allow you to get the same indicators. It is necessary to take this into account and arrange food items correctly to extend their shelf life. If this function is present, then additional fans distribute the air evenly, so the temperature in the entire chamber is almost the same.

Does the freezer operate at subzero temperatures?

When starting the thermal relay in sub-zero ambient temperature conditions, it is possible to turn on the system, however, what will happen next:

1. The thickening of the system lubrication leads to increased frictional resistance, in this process the overload protection begins to operate;
2. Freon boils partially, the compressor begins to gradually compress the gas and liquid mixtures, and the liquid itself does not have the strength to resist compression;
3. The No Frost system does not work in cold weather due to the fact that the evaporator is covered with ice;

   
   No Frost system does not work in cold weather

4. The sealing parts lose their elastic properties and depressurization occurs.

Important! Freezers do not work in sub-zero climates; they quickly fail, and the entire system is destroyed.