The importance of temperature management in refrigerators

Summer is here and there is a good possibility that you are fiddling around with the temperature settings in your refrigerator. Since refrigerators play a crucial role in preserving food or maintaining freshness, setting them to the right temperature is important. With summer arriving early, you may already be fretting about your refrigerator temperature and how it affects your food. So, here is a look at the importance of temperature management in refrigerators.

Refrigerator temperature

Every refrigerator has an ideal operating temperature that needs to be maintained to ensure your food is fresh and safe to consume.

The right refrigerator temperature prevents bacterial growth, responsible for food spoilage and other diseases. Suppose the temperature of your refrigerator is too high. In that case, bacteria can multiply rapidly whereas if the temperature is too low, some food items such as fruits and vegetables will lose their taste.

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Refrigerator temperature, if maintained well, will ensure that perishable food such as dairy, meat, and leftovers remain in good condition for an extended period while also reducing power consumption. If you are wondering how to maintain proper fridge temperature, these are the steps you must follow:

Avoid overloading the fridge: The first step to maintaining the ideal refrigerator temperature is to stop overloading the fridge. Excessive items can block air circulation and result in uneven cooling.

Keep the fridge door closed: Avoid frequent opening and closing of the door since it can cause temperature fluctuations.

Store food properly: It is equally important to store food in airtight containers to retain freshness and prevent cross-contamination.

Check the seals: Another common cause for temperature irregularities in refrigerators is a loose or damaged door seal. It is important to check them to ensure there are no inconsistencies.

Normal fridge temperature

Now that you know how to maintain proper fridge temperature, the question is: what is the normal fridge temperature? Well, it is recommended that your fridge maintains a temperature between 1°C to 4°C (34°F to 40°F) to keep food fresh and safe to consume. This temperature range ensures the bacterial growth is significantly slowed down while also not freezing the food items.

If you have a modern refrigerator, you don’t need to worry about the normal operating temperature of a fridge. Most modern refrigerators have a built-in temperature control that allows users to adjust the cooling based on their needs.

For a freezer though, the normal or recommended temperature is -18°C (0°F) or lower to preserve frozen foods for extended periods. This recommended temperature for the freezer also prevents the formation of ice crystals inside food items and helps retain the original taste and texture. While freezers also come with temperature control, the ideal temperature setting will also depend on the type of food product you are trying to store.

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For example, it is recommended that you store fruits and vegetables in their designated crisper drawers, while dairy products should be placed on the middle shelf for consistent cooling. Raw meat and seafood should be kept on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator to prevent contamination of other foods.

By following the above-mentioned best practices and maintaining the normal fridge temperature, you can extend the shelf life of food and prevent spoilage. Proper temperature management also leads to improved energy efficiency and cost savings. By regularly checking fridge temperature, you can optimise cooling performance and reduce food wastage.