How cold is a freezer?

Author: Alvina Wilkinson  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Freezer Temperatures The temperature of a freezer should be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit so everything stays very cold. A freezer should be cold enough to keep food frozen and preserve it until they are ready to be cooked or reheated.

How cold is a normal freezer?

To store frozen foods at best quality, keep the freezer set to maintain zero (0 °F or -17.8 °C). Some combination refrigerator-freezers cannot keep the freezer air that cold. As long as foods are solidly frozen, they will stay safe.

Is 20 degrees ok for a freezer?

The ideal temperature for freezing meat is between -18 and -23 degrees Celsius (0 to -9 degrees Fahrenheit), as recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for safe and optimal storage. At 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the meat will not be at a safe temperature for storage.

Is freezer safe at 5 degrees?

The recommended freezer temperature to keep food safe is at or below 0°F (-18°C), making higher temperatures less reliable for long-term freezer storage. However, freezer temperatures may need to be adjusted by a few degrees to account for factors like location, humidity or outside temperatures.

Is the freezer ok at 10 degrees?

The recommended freezer temperature is typically around 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius).

How to investigate and fix a fridge that is too warm

Is frozen food safe at 15 degrees?

The short time limits for home-refrigerated foods will help keep them from spoiling or becoming dangerous to eat. The guidelines for freezer storage are for quality only—frozen foods stored continuously at 0°F (-18°C) or below can be kept indefinitely.

Is 14 degrees cold enough for a freezer?

This question had me curious about what temperature I should be setting the freezer to and if there's anything I can do to keep my food safe. Here's what I found out. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the best temperature for your freezer is 0°F (-18°C) or below.

Why won't my freezer get below 10 degrees?

If the environment is too cold, the freezer may not get sufficient run time to maintain its temperature. If the temperature is too warm, the appliance will have a hard time getting the interior down to the desired temperature. Dirty condenser coils or a broken fan motor can also cause insufficient freezing.

How long does it take for the freezer to get to 0?

Upon initial installation or when the settings on the temperature controls are changed, it usually takes 24 hours for an upright or chest freezer to reach the proper temperature.

What is the temperature danger zone in a freezer?

It illustrates that any food with an internal temperature of 40 °F to 140°F is in the temperature danger zone. Refrigerator temperature should be at or below 40 °F and freezer temperature should be zero degrees.

Is minus 21 too cold for freezer?

Whilst it is recommended to keep your freezer below -18 degrees Celsius, it is important to not drop the temperature too low. Although 4-star freezers can operate down to -25°C, over time foods frozen at this temperature may start to dry out, causing freezer burn or a loss in quality.

Why is my freezer cold but not freezing?

However, if your freezer is cold but not freezing, it may be time to inspect the thermostat. Try changing the thermostat from the lowest setting to the highest setting. If you don't hear a click sound, then a professional replacement is recommended.

Can my freezer be too cold?

Frost or ice build-up on freezer walls can be one of the signs your freezer is too cold. First, check the temperature setting to make sure it's within a degree of 0ºF (-18ºC) and adjust accordingly. If you notice ice crystals on frozen food, these items may be freezer burned due to colder or fluctuating temps.

What temperature does beer freeze at?

Beer usually freezes between 28°F and 26°F (-2°C and -3°C). This range varies because of the alcohol content in most beers, which is 5-7% ABV. Lower temperatures are needed to freeze beers with higher alcohol content.

How cold to keep ice cream frozen?

The optimum temperature is 0°F (-18°C) or colder. The temperature in the supermarket's freezer case should not be above 10°F (-12°C). If kept at a proper temperature, ice cream will be thoroughly frozen and will feel hard to the touch.

Why is my freezer frosting up?

Freezer frosting is the build-up of frost on the walls and shelves inside a freezer. This can happen when there are fluctuations in temperature or when too much moisture gets into the freezer. The frost can also be caused by air coming into the freezer, which brings humidity and causes it to freeze.

What happens if you don't wait 24 hours to plug a fridge in?

If you've ever moved a fridge freezer, or even bought one brand new, you'll know that you are meant to give them time to settle once they've been put back down again. Waiting 24 hours before plugging in your fridge prevents compressor damage and ensures proper oil circulation.

How often should I defrost my freezer?

How often should I defrost my freezer? You should aim to defrost your freezer at least once a year or more frequently if your freezer is prone to ice build-up. You should also defrost your freezer if the ice build-up is more than ¼-inch thick.

What temperature should a freezer be set at?

Freezer Temperatures

The temperature of a freezer should be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit so everything stays very cold. A freezer should be cold enough to keep food frozen and preserve it until they are ready to be cooked or reheated.

What number is coldest on freezer?

The temperature selection on a Chest Freezer is made by setting the dial from ONE to SEVEN, with SEVEN being the coldest. The normal safe freezing level is obtained by setting the control on FOUR. Turning the temperature control all the way to the left to the OFF position will turn the power off to the compressor.

How to make a freezer colder?

There should be an adjustable thermostat control somewhere. If it's a fridge/freezer, it's usually in the fridge. If it's a standalone freezer, it's usually outside the cooling area, maybe above the door. Turn the knob in the direction that increases cooling.

Is frozen food safe at 20 degrees?

Food that is properly frozen and cooked is safe.

Food that is properly handled and stored in the freezer at 0° F (-18° C) will remain safe. While freezing does not kill most bacteria, it does stop bacteria from growing.

How do you fix a freezer that is not freezing?

If your evaporator fan is not working correctly, first unplug your refrigerator and remove and clean the evaporator fan blades. Ice buildup on evaporator fan blades often prevents your freezer from properly circulating air. If you notice a bent fan blade, you will need to replace it.

Which is colder 15 or 23 in freezer?

Which is colder -15°c or -23°c in freezer? -23 °C is colder in a freezer than -15 °C. That is because with negative numbers, “higher” the number, lower the value.

What is the temperature danger zone?

The "Danger Zone" (40 °F-140 °F)

Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40 ° and 140 °F, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes.

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