What temperature should a freezer be for ice cream?

Author: Arely Beier MD  |  Last update: Sunday, December 28, 2025

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. Store ice cream in the main part of the freezer.

How cold should a freezer be for ice cream?

Your freezer should store your ice cream between -5 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit. While frozen yogurt is also kept between -5 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit, store gelato and sorbet between 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below. When you're ready to serve, the ideal temperature is 0 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is ice cream safe at 25 degrees?

According to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the optimum temperature for preserving the product should be 0°F (-18°C) or colder if you intend to keep it consumable almost indefinitely.

Will ice cream stay frozen at 15 degrees?

You have probably already checked that the temperature is set correctly, but in case you haven't, ice cream requires a freezer temperature that is below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a dial or slider control, the highest number or position should be the coldest temperature setting.

What temperature should the freezer be at in the ice maker?

The recommended fresh food temperature is 37° Fahrenheit; the freezer recommended temperature is 0° Fahrenheit. The icemaker must reach about 16°Fahrenheit before a cycle will begin. If the temperature in the freezer is too warm, ice cubes will take longer to form or may not form at all.

Are you Holding Ice Cream at the right Temperature?

What is the ideal temperature for my 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.

Why is my freezer making ice so slow?

The top reasons for a slow ice maker inside of a freezer are incorrect temperature setting, too much or too little food inside, and a clogged water line or filter.

Why is my freezer not freezing ice cream?

For a freezer that seems to be freezing meat and other items but not ice cream, the temperature may be too warm. Your thermostat should be set at 0ºF (-18ºC) or within -1ºF- 1ºF.

What temperature is too cold for ice cream?

If you are going to be storing your ice cream for the long term, ensure that it does not go above zero degrees. The perfect temperature you should leave your ice cream in storage is between -10 F and -20 F. Frozen treats in storage should never go above freezing point and should always feel hard.

Is Breyers real ice cream?

Founded in 1866, Breyers is the oldest manufacturer of ice cream in the United States. Breyers ice cream products are made from milk, cream, sugar, tara gum, and flavors derived from natural sources, such as vanilla.

Is 15 degrees cold enough for a freezer?

According to the Food and Drug Administration FDA the best freezer temperature is 0 ° Fahrenheit or -18 ° Celsius which is sufficient to keep the food safe for an extended period of time.

What is the freezing point of ice cream?

A typical batch of ice cream will freeze at -3 °C (27 °F), due to the presence of all the dissolved solutes.

How to adjust ice cream freezer temperature?

Answer: Recommended temperature control for ice cream is -18°C or middle position of the thermostat. If ice cream is too soft, please adjust temperature control to a colder setting, and check again after some time. Repeat until cold enough.

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.

Why does ice cream get hard in the freezer?

The standard temperature for the freezer is around zero degrees. The problem with this is that it's actually too cold for scooping ice cream. The high butterfat and lack of air in most good-quality ice creams make them very hard at zero degrees.

What is the best temperature to freeze ice cubes?

For efficient water into ice cubes formation, setting your freezer to 0°F (-18°C) is optimal.

What is the perfect temperature for a freezer?

To store frozen foods at best quality, keep the freezer set to maintain zero (0 °F or -17.8 °C).

Will ice cream melt at 25 degrees?

Answer and Explanation: Ice cream spontaneously melts at 25 degrees Celsius. This melting is accompanied by an increase in entropy of the system containing the ice cream since the liquid phase is more entropic than the solid phase.

What does freezer burn look like on ice cream?

One of the most commonly recognized signs of freezer burn is the formation of ice crystals on the outside of food, making it appear frost bitten. Freezer burn is safe to eat, but will often dramatically impact the flavor and texture of the affected food.

Why does ice cream not freeze?

The presence of sugars in the water lowers the mixture's freezing temperature to below 0°C. Here's why that's important. As ice crystals start to form, the concentration of sugars and other dissolved materials in the unfrozen liquid increases, which further lowers its freezing point.

How to tell if a 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.

Why does my freezer ruin ice cream?

What Causes Freezer Burn on Ice Cream? When frozen foods are exposed to cold, dry air, they get dehydrated. The moisture that leaves your ice cream mixes with the air and then refreezes on the surface of your treat.

How can I make my freezer freeze faster?

For fast or quick freezing large amounts of food in an upright or chest freezer, turn the temperature control to THE HIGHEST SETTING (for example: 7 is the highest setting on many models) or in some older models press the yellow FAST FREEZE switch. Freezing is generally fast and efficient throughout the freezer.

Why is my freezer barely freezing?

To fix a freezer that's not freezing, you'll need to identify the root cause. Common issues include frost buildup, a faulty temperature sensor, or a broken compressor. For accurate diagnosis and repair, it's recommended to hire a service professional.

How do I fix my freezer that wont make ice?

The control arm is out of position.
  1. Check the water fill tubes. If your ice maker isn't making ice or if the ice cubes are small or misshapen, the water fill tubes may be the problem. ...
  2. Inspect your water inlet valve. ...
  3. Clean the water filter. ...
  4. Check the ice maker heating element. ...
  5. Adjust the thermostat. ...
  6. Check the control arm.

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