How cold should a refrigerator be? That’s easy. You
want to keep perishable items cold, but not so cold that vegetables lose their freshness. Produce Storage TemperaturesMost refrigerators come with two produce storage drawers. They're made to store fresh food in low- or high-humidity conditions. Depending on the model of your fridge, you may be able to adjust each drawer’s settings separately. In other models, the drawers may have fixed humidity levels. Newer refrigerators often have a compartment-wide pantry drawer with adjustable temperature. A low-humidity setting or drawer is designed for fruits and vegetables that expel a lot of ethylene gas and aren’t prone to losing moisture. The drawer vents the gases to keep the produce from rotting so quickly. For best results, this drawer should only be filled two-thirds full. Low-humidity produce includes:
Before putting bananas and avocados in the fridge, make sure they are ripe. A high-humidity setting or drawer is designed for fruits and vegetables that are sensitive to ethylene gas exposure. This produce needs higher moisture levels to stay fresh. The high-humidity drawer is sealed to keep moisture in. This seal also helps prevent exposure to any gas that escapes from the other produce drawer. When kept in this drawer, leafy greens won’t dry out or wilt so soon. Keep this produce drawer about three-fourths full for best results. High-humidity produce includes:
Pantry TemperaturesThe pantry drawer in a refrigerator is a useful feature. It's a full-width section with a separate temperature control from the rest of the unit. It allows you to store larger items like party trays or wine. You can also keep smaller items like snacks or canned drinks in this drawer. Food storage containers also fit well in this area. What temperature should a refrigerator be to keep the pantry drawer chilled? There are usually several pre-programmed settings for wine, deli items, soft drinks and fish. If your refrigerator has a programmable thermostat, you may have to set the temperature yourself. Keep wine at around 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Store deli meats at 37 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature for soft drinks is 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezer TemperaturesWhat temperature should a freezer be? The temperature should be set so everything stays very cold. That means meats, prepared meals and leftovers stay frozen until they are ready to be cooked or reheated. Your freezer should be cold enough to preserve food for quite some time.
Refrigerator temperature settings keep food from spoiling. The right fridge temperature protects your health and reduces waste. Set your fridge to the optimal temperatures to keep food cold and preserved. A freezer temperature range should keep food frozen solid. As you prepare food, follow safe food-handling procedures. Ready to shop for a new refrigerator? Download the Home Depot Mobile App and use the in-app search to find products online and in-store. Want to figure out how a new fridge would fit into your space? Use the augmented reality feature in the iOS version of the app. Tap the augmented reality icon on your smartphone’s camera. You'll see a virtual image of the refrigerator in your kitchen. What is normal fridge and freezer temp?Also, when putting food away, don't crowd the refrigerator or freezer so tightly that air can't circulate. Keep your appliances at the proper temperatures. Keep the refrigerator temperature at or below 40° F (4° C). The freezer temperature should be 0° F (-18° C).
Is 10 degrees cold enough for a freezer?It's pretty easy to remember: Your freezer temperature should be set to a chilly 0° Fahrenheit or below (-18° Celsius or below). Food stored at 0° Fahrenheit or below is safe to eat indefinitely (although quality and taste may be compromised as time passes).
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