Setting your new fridge at the right temperature can be a game of trial and error. There’s nothing worse than pulling out the milk for your cereal only to realise it’s an ice block. As North Shore fridge rental experts, the first thing most of our customers ask after we install their new fridge is “What temperature should I set it at?”.
We’ve put together the factors to consider when setting your fridge temperature to keep your food fresh and avoid frozen liquids and ruined breakfasts.
What’s the right fridge temp to keep food fresh?
In order to keep fresh foods like meat, vegetable and fruit fresh it’s best to keep your fridge temperature between 0-5 degrees. Better Health Victoria states that the unsafe zone for potentially dangerous bacteria growth is between 5 and 60 degrees celsius. Meaning if you want to keep your food safe and avoid the risk of food poisoning your fridge needs to keep your food below 5 degrees at all times.
How cold should my freezer be?
Set your freezer at -15 degrees or below. At this temperature foods are frozen solid, decreasing the chance of microbial growth which can make you sick. Ensure you keep frozen foods like meat, bread and sauces in airtight containers or packaging to keep them fresh and minimise risk.
Should I turn my fridge down in Summer?
If you’re having a party or a barbecue in Summer, chances are your North Shore fridge rental is going to have its door opened and closed more than usual. We often get asked “do I need to change my fridge temperature” in the Summer months! In these circumstances you may want to turn the fridge temperature down by one or two degrees to keep things cold. After the party’s over, put your fridge back to its normal setting. Aside from that, it isn’t necessary to change the thermostat on your fridge during the warmer months.
Do I need to change my fridge temperature in Winter?
One would expect that in Winter due to the cooler ambient temperature the fridge can actually be turned up in temperature. This is not the case. Your fridge and more specifically your freezer can actually warm up during Winter so it’s important to keep an eye on the temperature.
Tips and tricks
-Don’t put hot food into the fridge. Let the food cool to room temperature before you place it inside. Why? Because the hot temperature of the food will actually warm your entire fridge up.
-Store raw foods away from cooked foods in your refrigerator. The raw food can contaminate the cooked.
-The dairy section in your fridge keeps foods around 6-8 degrees warmer than the rest of the fridge. This is so that butter and soft cheeses can be pulled out at serving temperature. For this reason, only keep certain foods in this section and definitely DO NOT put raw food in there for lack of space.
-Get a fridge thermometer for your North Shore Fridge Rental. This way you can check what temperature your fridge and freezer are and ensure your foods are being cooled adequately.
If you’ve just moved house, need a replacement fridge or simply need a fridge but don’t want to fork out a heap of cash, give Aceco a call. We can deliver your North Shore Fridge Rental to your house and handle the install. Best of all, we offer only the most reputable brands and when your circumstances change we can swap you for a different size or take it away for you. No hassle, no long term commitment, easy peasy.