What is the normal temperature for a freezer?

Author: Lemuel Mayer  |  Last update: Sunday, February 22, 2026

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 is a safe temperature for your 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 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 freezer food safe at 20 degrees?

At 20F, your food (and the water in it) is frozen. Frozen solid is frozen solid, and thus the food is definitely safe to store for longer periods because those few bacteria left in cooked food are locked up tight in the ice.

Is minus 24 too cold for a 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.

What temperatures should I keep my refrigerator and freezer set at?

How do I know if my freezer is 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 minus should a freezer be?

In the freezer compartment, temperatures should ideally be set at -18°C or lower to halt the growth of bacteria and microorganisms. This process not only preserves the quality of frozen foods but also supports their long-term storage without compromising taste or texture.

Why is my freezer only at 20 degrees?

A freezer may not be cold enough due to user error, such as packing in too much food or not properly closing the door. However, sometimes parts to your freezer wear out over time and may affect your appliance's freezing capabilities. Some parts are simple to install as DIY fixes, but others need professional help.

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.

What if my freezer was off for 3 days?

A full freezer will stay at a safe temperature for about 48 hours. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer. Bacteria in food grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 and 140°F and if you consume these foods, you can become very sick.

What if my freezer is 10 degrees?

Is It OK for Your Freezer To Be Set at 10 Degrees? Setting your freezer to 10 degrees Fahrenheit is generally not recommended for long-term food storage. Food stored at this temperature is at a higher risk of spoilage and freezer burn, as well as the growth of bacteria and other pathogens.

What is the acceptable temperature for a fridge and freezer?

The ideal temperature setting for a refrigerator is 3°C and for a freezer it's -18°C.

What temperature should the freezer be for ice cream?

Do not allow ice cream to repeatedly soften and re-freeze. When ice cream's small ice crystals melt and re-freeze, they can eventually turn into large, unpalatable lumps. Your freezer should be set at between -5°F and 0°F. Ice cream is easy to dip between 6°F and 10°F, the ideal serving temperature range.

Is 15 degrees cold enough for a freezer?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the ideal temperature for a freezer is 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) or below. This ensures any bacteria present in the food will not grow and multiply, keeping the food safe to eat for longer periods of time.

What is the best freezer temperature to avoid freezer burn?

Preventing freezer burn is a priority, but that doesn't mean you should risk food spoilage. Whenever you freeze food, make sure that your freezer is set to the proper temperature – zero or below and get to know the parts of your freezer to be able to troubleshoot any problems.

Can I eat 5 day old leftovers?

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

What is the best temperature for a freezer?

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 temperature is a freeze risk?

Freeze occurs when the temperature drops to 32°-or-lower. A freeze will damage many unprotected plants, especially if the temperature remains at-or-below freezing for several hours.

How do I reset the temperature on my freezer?

Use the following steps to reset your freezer:
  1. Unplug your freezer from the outlet.
  2. Turn the freezer's control panel off by adjusting the controls to zero or using a shut-off switch (consult your manual for instructions).
  3. Wait a few minutes.
  4. Plug the freezer back in.

How to fix a freezer that is not freezing?

  1. Step 1: Check the setting controls. To be sure your appliance is set to the appropriate temperature, check your appliance's control settings. ...
  2. Step 2: Clear out the freezer shelves. ...
  3. Step 3: Clean the condenser coils. ...
  4. Step 4: Eliminate excess frost buildup.

Is frozen food safe at 30 degrees?

If foods still contain ice crystals and/ or if the freezer is 40 degrees F or less and has been at that temperature no longer than one to two days, then food that was safe when it was originally frozen should be safe now. It can be refrozen or cooked and eaten.

Is minus 20 ok for a freezer?

Minus 20 degrees Celsius is a commonly accepted baseline temperature at which to store perishable, flammable, or hazardous material, and so the freezers listed below for the most part reach -20 °C.

Can your freezer be too cold?

Yes, your freezer can actually be too cold. It should, of course, be cold enough to keep your food frozen, but having it set too cold could result in freezer problems.

What temperature should frozen food be kept at?

CHECK IT HOW DO YOU DO THIS? It is good practice to keep frozen food at -18˚C or colder. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions on the packet for further detail. (Food labelled 'Quick frozen' must be stored at -18˚C or colder, or displayed at -12˚C or colder.)

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