Confused by the numbers on your fridge's temperature dial? The numbers relate to how much power the fridge is using. So the rule is always the same: the higher the number, the colder the fridge. Setting the dial to 5 will make the fridge coldest it can be.
Fridge temperature settings are generally numbered from 1 to 5, with 5 being the coldest. A fully stocked fridge may need to be set to a higher setting (around 3 or 4), whereas one with more space is best suited to temperature setting 2 or 3.
On a refrigerator with settings numbered from 0 to 7, 7 is the coldest setting. Setting the dial to 7 will lower the temperature, making it colder, ideal for preserving food safely and extending its freshness, especially in warmer conditions or when the fridge is fully stocked.
In most refrigerators, the numbers on the temperature dial typically indicate the level of cooling, with 1 being the warmest setting and 5 being the coldest. Therefore, a fridge is colder on setting 5 than on setting 1. If you want your fridge to be colder, you should set it to a higher number.
This ensures any bacteria present in the food will not grow and multiply, keeping the food safe to eat for longer periods of time. However, most freezer manufacturers recommend keeping the appliance between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal performance.
Most mini fridges come with an adjustable temperature dial with settings from 1-5 or 1-7 with lowest being cool, medium range being cold and highest being coldest.
It is nearly always best defined as “cooling power”. So setting it to 7 makes it coldest and 1 makes it warmest and 0 is off.
But whatever you put into your fridge carries lurking microbes that, if left in the wrong environment, can cause bad fridge smells and bacteria. So what temperature is the right temperature? The Food Standards Agency advises household fridges to be set at 5 degrees Celsius or below.
The ideal refrigerator temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below in the main part of the fridge. The optimal temperature for keeping foods cold is 37 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're wondering what temperature should a refrigerator be, put a thermometer inside your fridge.
It is recommended that a 4-star freezer needs to operate at -18 degrees Celsius as a minimum. This will prevent bacteria from growing and will keep your frozen food fresher for longer. Whilst it is recommended to keep your freezer below -18 degrees Celsius, it is important to not drop the temperature too low.
Operating temperatures are controlled by the thermostat knob (see diagram) located on the ceiling of the fridge compartment. Settings may be made from 1 to 5, 5 being the coldest position.
The ideal fridge temperature is between 0°C and 5°C.
However, the average temperature of fridges in the UK is 7°C!
This means setting 1 will result in a warmer temperature and 5 the coolest. Every fridge is different, so it's best to work out what setting to use by using a fridge thermometer or measuring the temperature of the food in your fridge, then making micro adjustments to the dial.
After trials we found that if the icon shows five bars, the resulting temperature is the coldest.
To decrease temperature for strong cooling, set the level to 5-6. To increase the temperature for weak cooling, set the level to 1-2. The higher the number, the stronger the cooling is.
ADJUSTING THE THERMOSTAT
The adjustable thermostat ranges from 1 - 5 (5 = coldest temperature setting). After the initial start-up, adjust the thermostat by pressing the TEMP.
The ideal fridge temperature is between 37°F (3°C) and 40°F (5°C). This will keep the fridge's energy usage to a minimum and, more importantly, help food stay fresh and safe to eat. Keeping food chilled helps to slow down the growth of harmful bacteria.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that your refrigerator temperature should be at or below 40°F, and your freezer temperature at or below 0°F. However, the ideal refrigerator temperature is actually lower. Aim to stay between 35° and 38°F (or 1.7 to 3.3°C).
It is important to understand these optimal settings to ensure your food stays fresh and safe. For the fridge compartment, we recommend maintaining a temperature between 3°C to 5°C to slow bacterial growth and preserve perishable items effectively.
Some fridges don't show the temperature but work on a setting that is listed from 1 to 5. The numbers on the fridge's temperature dial indicate the refrigerating power. Therefore, the higher the setting, the cooler the fridge will be. Choosing setting 5 will make your fridge the coldest.
Here's the short answer: 5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit) or under. Nasty bacteria thrive at between 8 degrees and 63 degrees, known as the 'danger zone'. This is why the Food Standards Agency recommends keeping your fridge under 5 degrees to be safe.
Understanding the Numbers on the Dial
The numbers on the temperature control dial generally represent a range of temperatures rather than specific degrees. Typically, a lower number (e.g., 1 or 2) corresponds to a warmer setting, while a higher number (e.g., 6 or 7) indicates a colder setting.
Based on these two factors here's the number your fridge should be set on: If you're always storing plenty of food you need the colder settings (3 to 4). If you're not storing as much choose between 2 and 3. If the temperature is very low, ice will form and it may prevent air circulation.
There are several causes for a refrigerator that doesn't cool, including dirty condenser coils, poor ventilation, improper installation, faulty or dirty gasket seals, unorganized food storage, appliance location and malfunctioning internal parts.