Therefore, during the summer months, it is advisable to lower your refrigerator temperature. This is due to the general warmer temperatures and an increased consumption of cold foods to combat the heat ourselves, but which drain the refrigerating capacity of your appliance.
Maintain the fridge temperature around 3°C (37.4°F) year-round. Set the freezer temperature around -19°C (-2.2°F) or -18°C (-0.4°F), based on the model. Use power freeze or power cool functions only for large quantities of fresh food. Turn on power functions 2 hours before adding food and off 5 hours after.
During the summer, the challenge for refrigerators is twofold: maintaining a stable and cool fridge air space while combating the influx of warm air. As ambient temperatures increase, this struggle intensifies, impacting refrigerator temperatures.
Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F (4.4 °C) or below. For safety, it is important to verify the temperature of the refrigerator. An appliance thermometer can be kept in the refrigerator to monitor the temperature.
You should keep your fridge temperature set at 3°C/37.4F and your freezer set at -19°C/-2.2F (or -18°C/-0.4F, depending on your model) all year-round.
The ideal refrigerator temperature is about 37°F (3°C). However, a range of 33–40°F (0–4°C) is generally accepted as safe for most purposes.
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.
We do not recommend installing a refrigerator where the temperature will exceed 110°F. There is a possibility that operating the refrigerator in extremely high temperature could cause the oil to overheat and break down, thus damaging the compressor or sealed system.
If the fridge is too warm, it could mean that the motor fan is broken and not functioning properly. You can replace a motor fan — but it can be pricey.
As for chilling “large” quantities of food? It's true that you wouldn't want to stick a full pot of piping hot chicken stock into the fridge, as it will take a long time to cool down; during that time, it can stay in the danger zone long enough that bacteria will multiply.
Temperature Control
The warm weather can do a lot more than cause a little build-up of water within your fridge. Many fridges struggle with this sudden increase in the temperature leading to the internal temperature rising to a dangerous level.
The "Danger Zone" (40 °F-140 °F)
This range of temperatures is often called the "Danger Zone." That's why the Meat and Poultry Hotline advises consumers to never leave food out of refrigeration over 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 °F, food should not be left out more than 1 hour.
Adjust the temperature
To compensate for the hot weather, you might want to set your fridge to a slightly lower temperature than usual – although remember to keep it within 2°C and 5°C for the best results.
Chilling foods to proper temperatures is one of the best ways to slow the growth of these bacteria. To ensure that your refrigerator is doing its job, it's important to keep its temperature at 40 °F or below; the freezer should be at 0 °F.
The ideal fridge temperature is between 37°F (3°C) and 40°F (5°C). And your freezer temperature should be at 0°F (-18°C).
Therefore, during the summer months, it is advisable to lower your refrigerator temperature. This is due to the general warmer temperatures and an increased consumption of cold foods to combat the heat ourselves, but which drain the refrigerating capacity of your appliance.
Door seals are one thing, but proper temperature settings are key to keeping your food fresh and your fridge efficient during summer. So it's best to make sure the internal temps are working like they need to! Check the Thermostat: Ensure the fridge thermostat is set between 35°F and 38°F for optimal cooling.
Reset your refrigerator
Follow the instructions below depending on your model and what you would like to reset: Reset your refrigerator: First, unplug it (or turn off the power at the circuit breaker), and then wait about five minutes for the electrical charge to clear out of it. Then, power it back on again.
The Department of Agriculture states bacteria multiply quickly in the "Danger Zone," which is temperatures beginning at 40°F (4.5°C). It's best to set your temperature gauge a few degrees below that. Most experts recommend that the ideal temperature setting for a refrigerator is between 35-38°F (1.6-3.3°C).
When working properly, the refrigerator temperature should be 40° F (4.4 °C) or below; the freezer, 0° F (-17.8 °C) or lower. After the power comes back on, if you're not sure a particular food is cold enough, take its temperature with a food thermometer.
Typically, the back and bottom of the fridge is the coldest part. This is because cold air sinks down, and the back of the fridge is farthest from the door. It's different for fridges with ice-making compartments at the top, which make the top colder.