What is the coldest setting on a fridge?

Author: Dr. Tate Monahan  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Some fridges have a temperature reading, but most have a numbered dial. This usually goes from 1 to 5, with 5 being the coldest. To make sure your fridge is at the right temperature, turn it to 5, the coldest setting, first, then check the temperature (we'll tell you the best way to do this below).

Is a fridge colder on 1 or 5?

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.

Which fridge setting is colder, 1 or 7?

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.

Is 37 degrees too cold for a refrigerator?

Your refrigerator should be set at or below 40°F (4°C) to keep food safe and prevent bacterial growth. Ideally, the temperature for the refrigerator is around 37°F (3°C). For the freezer, the temperature should be 0°F (-18°C) or lower.

What number should you keep your refrigerator on?

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.

Refrigerator temperature knob setting

What temperature is number 3 on a fridge?

Turn the dial to the 2 or 3 setting for everyday refrigeration use. Note: We recommend the average temperature inside the fridge to be around 3°C to 5°C and the freezer temperature to be around -18°C.

Is 42 degrees OK for refrigerator?

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.

Is 7 degrees cold for fridge?

The Food Standards Agency advises household fridges to be set at 5 degrees Celsius or below. This is because harmful bacteria grow best in what is known as the 'danger zone' between 8 degrees and 63 degrees. Fridge design has come a long way.

Where should raw meat be stored in the fridge?

1. Store raw food like meat, poultry, fish, sausages, bacon etc., in the bottom part of the fridge so that juices cannot drip on foods below. 2. Store ready-to-eat foods such as cooked meats, pies and dairy products such as cheese, butter, cream and yoghurt in the top part of the fridge.

Is 33 too low for a fridge?

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. Temperatures below 33°F may freeze foods while temperatures above 40°F may lead to food spoilage.

What is the ideal setting for a fridge?

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).

Can you keep milk in a mini fridge?

A: Yes, you can store milk in a beverage fridge, but there are considerations. The temperature may be slightly colder than the ideal storage temperature for milk, and space can be limited. Q2: What is the ideal temperature for storing milk? A: The ideal temperature for storing milk is around 36°F to 38°F (2°C to 3°C).

Why is my fridge freezing everything?

Refrigerators work to keep your food at a cool—but not freezing—temperature. Overly frosty temperatures in your refrigerator can be due to a few possible causes, including blocked air vents, incorrect temperature settings, leaky door seals, issues with your built-in ice maker and more.

Should I put my fridge on 1 or 7?

Coldest and Warmest Settings

Most refrigerators have a dial with numbers 1-7 or 1-9. The coldest setting is usually 7 or 9, while the warmest setting is 1. It is recommended to keep your refrigerator between 3-5 for optimal food storage.

Is 1 or 7 colder on an LG fridge?

➔ The set temperature for the fridge can be adjusted between 1℃ and 7℃. 1℃ is the temperature with the strongest cold air and 7℃ is the temperature with the weakest cold air.

Where all raw meat should be placed in the refrigerator?

Bottom Shelf

Raw meats should always be stored at the bottom of your fridge to prevent cross-contamination – for example, if any juices (which could contain harmful bacteria) leak from the packaging, they could drip down onto food stored on a lower shelf.

Why shouldn't you put cans in the fridge?

Metals can corrode and rust in moist environments. However, you may store them in the refrigerator for a short period of time. It is best to store unopened commercially canned foods in a cool and dry place (such as in a cupboard). For best quality use closed canned fruits within 18 months.

Is the salad drawer the coldest part of the fridge?

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.

What temperature should milk be stored at?

Ideally, milk should be stored in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F or below. Storing and serving milk at this temperature extends overall shelf-life and maximizes flavor. Store your milk in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not in the door where it will be exposed to outside air every time someone opens it.

How to tell if your fridge is cold enough?

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.

Should my freezer be on 1 or 5?

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.

Which brand of refrigerator is the best?

Our Top Pick: LG produces excellent refrigerators that perform well in our tests and receive high satisfaction ratings from consumers, including our survey participants. The Smart French Door Refrigerator with Dual Ice Maker stands out for its simple, user-friendly design and customizable features.

Do eggs need to be refrigerated?

To reduce Salmonella growth, eggs gathered from laying hens should be refrigerated as soon as possible. After eggs are refrigerated, they need to stay that way. A cold egg left out at room temperature can sweat, facilitating the movement of bacteria into the egg.

What is the coldest you can set your refrigerator?

The general temperature equivalents for the settings on Refrigerator models with a Snowflake or "Cold - Colder - Coldest" on the control are as follows: At the Coldest setting the temperature is approximately 34 degrees Fahrenheit in the Fresh Food section and -5 degrees Fahrenheit in the Freezer section.

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