How Cold Should a Refrigerator Be?

Does the temperature in your refrigerator matter? If the food’s chilled and the water’s cold, everything should be a-okay, right?

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably haven’t touched your refrigerator’s temperature settings since you first plugged it in. It’s still in the same “mid-setting” or at the number 3 on temperature controls that go from 1 to 5. But the factory settings aren’t necessarily the optimum temperature.

How cold should a refrigerator be? If you set the temperature too low, your food might freeze. If it’s too warm, it promotes bacterial growth that results in early spoilage.

To help keep your food safe, here are the best refrigerator temperature settings (plus freezer) as recommended by experts.

How Cold Should a Refrigerator Be?

The US Food and Drug Administration recommends setting the refrigerator temperature at or below 40ºF.

Refrigeration slows the bacterial growth of common pathogens like E. Coli and Salmonella. According to the US Department of Agriculture, bacteria can double in number in as little as 20 minutes while in the “danger zone.” The danger zone is the temperature range of 40ºF to 140ºF, so you might want to set the fridge a bit lower than 40 to be safe.

Between 35ºF to 38ºF is the sweet spot, according to most experts. At this range, the food stays at a temperature far away from the danger zone without actually freezing.

Setting the Refrigerator Temperature Tips

First, read the refrigerator guide or manual to locate the temperature control dial. You’ll usually find it near the fresh food compartment. You can also set the temperature on the exterior dispenser control panel on some models.

Set the refrigerator below 40ºF or according to your preference, but be aware that the settings may not reflect the actual temperature. Place an appliance thermometer on the middle shelf and check the reading after four hours to verify the temperature. Make minor adjustments as necessary.

Another helpful tip is to keep the refrigerator well-stocked with food. Full-stocked shelves hold the temperature better than ones with many empty spaces. This will also keep the water running from the tap through the frigidaire water filter and out the water dispenser always cold.

How Cold Should You Set the Freezer?

According to the FDA, setting the freezer temperature at 0ºF or -18ºC helps keep the food safe. At this temperature, bacterial growth stops completely. But keep in mind that it won’t kill the germs already present in the food before you store them.

While freezing won’t affect the nutritional value of the food, you risk “freezer burn” the longer the food is kept in the freezer. Freezer burn is when food loses water content due to sublimation. Foods with freezer burn are typically dry and tough, and meat flesh may appear discolored.

However, freezer burn isn’t a safety issue but only affects food quality. The best way to avoid it is to consume frozen food as soon as possible. Keeping the temperature constant and close to zero at all times by minimizing freezer door opening and closing will also help.