Most experts recommend that the ideal temperature setting for a refrigerator is between 35-38°F (1.6-3.3°C).
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.
To keep food cold and fresh but not frozen, it should be set somewhere between 3-5°C (37-40°F). Some fridges have a temperature reading, but most have a numbered dial.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If it's set too cold, set it higher and give it a day to adjust. Be sure to only adjust the temperature in relatively low increments, checking with a thermometer every 24 hours.
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.
Clear blocked air vents: Inspect the air vents inside the fridge and freezer compartments to ensure they are not obstructed by food or containers. Proper air circulation is vital for even cooling. Check the door seals: Inspect the rubber gaskets (door seals) around the refrigerator and freezer doors for damage.
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.
The ideal fridge temperature is between 37°F (3°C) and 40°F (5°C).
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.
Check whether the appliance is cooling correctly.
Measure the temperature with a thermometer in a glass of water placed inside the fridge. If the temperature is between +4 to +5°C, the fridge is working correctly.
The Australian Standard for fridges uses a fresh food compartment average temperature of 3°C. It's a good target to aim for because it means not freezing foods yet still keeping them below 4°C. If you're experiencing temperature fluctuations, read our guide to troubleshooting a fridge.