With temperatures set to rise soon as we roll into the summer months, making sure your fridge and freezer are set to the optimum temperatures is going to be more important than ever. When set at the correct temperature, fridges can keep your foods cold and safe enough to eat produce that has been kept for days or even weeks. Freezers, on the other hand, are capable of keeping certain foods fresh by deterring the onset of bacterial growth for many months, or even forever.
But when temperatures begin to rise past a particular point, we find that bacteria can begin to exponentially multiply. So to ensure the quality of your food and eliminate risks of food poisoning, it might be a good idea to make sure you’re wise to the recommended temperatures for your fridge and freezer!
Fridge temperature
It is recommended that you keep your fridge temperature at or below 4.4°C. Ideally it would be lower than this. If you keep the fridge temperatures between 1.7 to 3.3°C, this is as close as you can get to freezing before your food will become frozen. The closer you get to 4.4°C, the more bacteria will begin to multiply.
Temperatures that rise above the 1.7 to 3.3°C region may be too much for your fridge, especially when you consider that your fridge’s temperature gauge may not be extremely accurate. This might mean that your food spoils easily, and you could be more prone to bacterial diseases such as Salmonella.
Freezer temperature
It is best to keep your freezer temperature as close to -18°C as you can, except when you want to add fresh, warm food. Going too cold is never a good idea because it can cause your utility bill to increase, and food can then lose flavour and moisture. A good indication of this is whether your freezer has a considerable amount of ice built-up inside. In this case you would need to reset the freezer temperature to something a little warmer.
Ways to keep your fridge and freezer cold
If you find that your fridge temperature is dangerously close to 4.4°C or your freezer remains warm despite trying to adjust the temperature settings, you take some steps to maintain the ideal temperature required.
Allow food to cool before storing – Hot leftover food such as soup or cooked chicken can heat up the fridge very quickly, putting the rest of the food at risk of developing bacterial growth. To prevent this from happening, let the foods inside cool for a while before storing and covering.
Checking door seals – The fridge is designed to keep cold temperatures in and warmer ones out. Mechanical seals, known as gaskets, allow this process to happen effectively. A leak in one of these can mean that cold air is allowed to escape. Make sure you check the door seals thoroughly before continuing.
Keep the door shut – Opening the fridge door frequently lets cold air out and warmer air in. Make sure you get what you’re looking for and quickly shut the door when using.
Keeping the freezer and fridge full – Full fridges and freezers are happy ones. The fridge temperature is designed to stay cooler for longer if the shelves are largely full. Just make sure that you don’t put too much in and reduce the chance for proper air flow. You want to leave around 20% of the space free.
PowerPoint are Gloucestershire’s leading domestic appliance specialists for domestic appliance repairs, spares, and sales on all makes and models of domestic electrical appliances. If you have any questions regarding the new energy labels for the UK or any other query regarding your appliances, then we’d be happy to hear from you on 01452 730 874, or alternatively take a look at our website www.powerpointglos.co.uk/.