Few people think twice about the fridge’s temperature, as long as it appears to be keeping food cold. But given that fridge freezers need to be kept on 24 hours a day, it’s important to ensure they are working to their full potential – and part of that is extending the shelf life of food for as long as possible. Generally, the best temperature to keep your fridge is between 3C and 5C (37F and 40F). In this range, you can slow down bacterial growth and keep food fresh and safe for consumption.
But an expert has suggested that many people are unaware of the actual temperature inside the appliance. Salah Sun, Head of Product Management at Beko UK, said: “It’s important to highlight that some models have external temperature displays, and this shows the set temperature, not the actual temperature inside your fridge.”
Thankfully, you don’t need any quirky tools or techniques to measure how cold your fridge actually is. In fact, Salah advises that “one of the most accurate ways to check your fridge’s temperature is by placing a thermometer in a glass of water on the middle shelf and leaving it there overnight”.
He explained: “This gives your appliance enough time to stabilise and provide a reliable reading of the internal temperature.”
Many people may wonder why you don’t just look at the fridge thermostat inside, but Salah notes that it can be confusing to interpret.
Most fridge thermostats or temperature dials are located at the top or middle of the fridge. Inside the thermostat is a thin capillary tube, known as a phial, which contains inert gas that expands and contracts in response to temperature changes.
“The numbers on the dial are often mistaken for the temperature in degrees, but they actually indicate the level of cooling power,” said Salah.
The higher the number, the colder the fridge will be. For optimal food preservation, a setting of two or three is recommended, which typically corresponds to an internal temperature of 3C to 5C.
What is the optimum fridge temperature?
According to Salah, this can be variable if you know how to use your fridge correctly. He suggests switching fridges to the maximum setting after a big shop to help “keep everything cool quickly”, which is especially important in warmer weather.
“The minimum setting can be used more during colder months or whilst you’re on holiday, when your fridge door stays closed for longer periods, helping you conserve energy too,” he explained.
If you try the glass of water method to measure your fridge temperature, don’t be misled by varied results depending on where you place the glass. The temperature distribution inside any fridge isn’t uniform, and this is completely normal.
Generally, the coldest area is just above the crisper drawer. This is why fruit and vegetables are best stored in this low-lying drawer to keep them fresh and firm.
Salaah warned that even if your fridge dial is set to the recommended setting of two or three, the temperature can still fluctuate due to a range of factors, including room temperature, the quantity of food inside your fridge, and how frequently you open the door.
However, it is important to understand that turning your dial to the zero setting will turn off the cooling system completely.
