The Proper Freezer & Refrigerator Temperatures
- Freezing foods for long-term storage and keeping them in an ice chest for shorter amounts of time require different temperatures. Icy cold temperatures are vital to stopping and slowing the growth of harmful bacteria that can make food unsafe for consumption, so keep freezers at zero degrees Fahrenheit for storage and minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit when deep freezing items. You should set the freezer to the proper temperature 24 hours in advance so food will freeze as quickly as possible, resulting in the formation of smaller ice crystals and better texture when food is thawed.
- To keep harmful bacteria at bay, refrigerators should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and lower. The "danger zone" for bacteria is 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, at which dangerous bacteria can grow and multiply, increasing the risk of food poisoning from consuming items kept at such temperatures. Though bacteria can still form at 40 F, it does so very slowly, making food safe for consumption within four days of storage. However, germs can grow quicker in meat, which should be used within two days.
- Setting a refrigerator to the proper temperature is only effective if proper steps are taken to keep it cool and safe for food storage. Try to open the refrigerator as little as possible and avoid standing in front of it with the door open for a minute at a time. Periodically check the condenser coils underneath the unit to see if they are dusty and dirty. If so, unplug the machine and clean them, as grimy coils can reduce the refrigerator's efficiency and compromise its temperature. Also, give the refrigerator proper air clearance with an inch of free space on each side of the unit as well as its top and bottom.
- A simple freezer attached to a refrigerator is fine for items that will be eaten within a few days of purchase, but if it can't maintain the proper temperature, consider other options. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends using a specialty freezer for lengthy storage of perishables. Set a free-standing freezer at zero degrees Fahrenheit and use a special thermometer to check the temperature and ensure it remains constant. You should thaw foods from the freezer in cold water, the refrigerator or microwave and not on a countertop or outside.
