What Temperature Should My Fridge Be?

Posted by S&D Ireland 07/21/2022 14:43:16

Your fridge freezer is probably the hardest-working appliance in your kitchen. Make sure you have it set to the right temperature to keep your food fresh.

What Temperature Should My Fridge Be?

The ideal fridge temperature is 3°C to 5°C.
Your freezer temperature should be at -18°C.
It takes about 24 hours for your fridge to adjust if you change the thermostat.

How to take your fridge’s temperature

If you want to check your fridge freezer temperatures and it does not have a temperature readout, the easiest way is with a thermometer:

Fridge:

Place the thermometer in a glass of water
Leave it in the fridge overnight
Check the temperature as soon as you open the door in the morning

Freezer:

Place the thermometer between some bags of frozen vegetables
Leave it overnight
Check the temperature reading in the morning

Is your fridge on its last legs?

Do you need a new fridge freezer? Look out for these signs:

Your food gets frozen in the fridge
Your food is warm when you get it out of the fridge
Ice is forming on the walls of the fridge
Ice is melting in the freezer
Your food goes off before its expiry dates
There’s condensation on the outside of the fridge

What should I do next?

Your fridge freezer might just need love and attention. Try these troubleshooting tips:

Make sure the thermostat set right– it easily can be knocked
Double check the plug, socket and electrical supply are all working #
If you can’t hear a humming, or you get a loud vibration, the compressor fan may need replacing
Clear around the fridge so the fans aren’t blocked
Give your freezer a thorough defrost to remove excess ice