How many degrees should be in the refrigerator, its temperature zones

A well-chosen temperature in the refrigerator for storing food affects its taste and shelf life. If it is too low, food can freeze and lose its taste and appearance. High - leads to increased proliferation of bacteria, as a result of which food is dangerous to eat.

Having bought a refrigerator, we don't even always read the instructions - we just turn it on. If there is no display, then we put the regulator in the middle position and consider that the normal temperature in it has already been set.

Temperature norm and its value

A refrigerator is a necessary attribute in every family. It helps keep food fresh, safe and healthy, and keeps drinks cool. Not everyone thinks about the question of what temperature should be in the refrigerator and what it affects.

A correctly adjusted operating mode is necessary for:

• safety of products;
• prevention of unpleasant odor;
• reducing electricity consumption;
• increasing the time between defrosting the freezer;
• increase in the service life of the equipment.

There is no definite answer to the question of what should be the optimal temperature in the refrigerator and freezer. This indicator differs significantly in different zones of the refrigerating chamber. It is necessary to take into account the set of products that are stored there, usually it ranges from - 2 to + 5 ° C.

If we are talking about a freezer, it is necessary, before choosing a mode, to determine whether a lot of food is stored in it, how often you open it, whether you use the “quick freeze” function.

Cold zones in the refrigerator

The exact indicator on the display is the average temperature in the refrigerator, i.e. the temperature is different in different zones. Remember that the lowest temperature is on the shelf closest to the freezer and at the back.

If the freezer is located at the bottom, then inside the refrigerator (set to + 4 ° C on the sensor) the zones will be distributed approximately as follows:

• bottom shelf: from 0 to + 3 ° C;
• next: from +3 to + 4 ° C;
• medium: + 4 ° C;
• upper: from + 4 to + 6 ° C.

These are average values. The more often you open and close the door, the faster the space inside the chamber heats up.

Optimum temperature in zones

The coolness in the refrigerator is distributed according to the distance from the freezer compartment. This feature is very important, it allows you to choose the right place for products that require different storage conditions. Manufacturers recommend maintaining the standard temperature in the refrigerator at +4 ° C. These indicators allow you to create the necessary conditions inside and on the shelves of the unit.

The refrigerator compartment can be divided into zones:

1. "Freshness zone" - the compartment has from +5 to +8 ° C and a high level of humidity.
2. The shelves on the door are the warmest place. Depending on the frequency of opening, food is stored here at +5 - +10 ° C.
3. On the middle shelves, it is slightly colder and is +3 - +5 ° C.
4. The shelf at the top or bottom of the chamber closest to the freezer is the coldest place in the refrigerator. Depending on where the freezer is located, this is the top or bottom shelf. Here it will be at +2 - + 3 ° C.

The less often you open the door, the more evenly the cold is distributed over the internal volume of the unit.The selected value + 4 ° C is the optimal temperature in the refrigerator under normal conditions to ensure the preservation of food. In strong heat, the indicator must be reduced.

Temperature in refrigerator compartments

The instructions for the unit indicate what temperature should be in the freezer - usually this figure is now -18 ° C. But if it is possible to regulate it, then the following should be considered:

1. If you want to store frozen food for up to one month, –6 ° C is sufficient. In this case, the food is frozen. Vegetables, fruits, legumes and fish need a lower storage temperature.
2. At –12 ° C, the same food can be stored for up to 3 months without being thawed.
3. At a freezer temperature of –18 ° C, the storage time can be extended up to a year.

Maintaining constant conditions is especially important during long-term storage, even a short-term increase in temperature dramatically reduces its life. Modern models of freezers provide a freezing mode of -24 ° C, and storage at -18 ° C. In modern models, freezing occurs at -24 ° C, then automatically set to -18 ° C, this is the optimal temperature for storing food in the freezer.

Average temperature in the refrigerator

Any household refrigerator has an operating temperature range, usually it varies from 0 ° C to +8 ° C.

The average temperature in the refrigerator depends on several factors:

• the frequency of opening the door - each time warm air enters the chamber;
• the degree of filling of the chamber - if there are very few products, a sharp temperature drop occurs when the door is opened;
• environmental factors - the conditions of functioning in summer and winter differ significantly. The NoFrost system maintains the temperature regime of the refrigerator, ensures the smallest temperature drop.

The temperature in the freezer depends on the model, it is determined by the number of stars or snowflakes on the panel:

• (1 star) - from –6 ° C to –12 ° C;
• ** (2) - from –12 ° C to –18 ° C;
• *** (3) - from –18 ° C to –24 ° C;
• **** (4 stars) - -24 ° C and below on some models.

The recommended temperature in the refrigerator should be between +2 and +4 degrees Celsius, and in the freezer –18.

Refrigerator door

The refrigerator door, as already mentioned, is the zone with the highest and most constantly changing temperature. When the door is opened, warm air enters the food, after closing, the air begins to cool. It is important to take into account the temperature on the refrigerator door and choose products that will remain fresh in such conditions.

In modern models, manufacturers offer shelves on the door designed for short-term storage:

• drinks;
• vegetable oils;
• hot sauces;
• vinegar;
• canned food;
• cheese;
• butter.

As a general rule, this area can store products that are intended for quick use. Do not overload the door, as a distortion can lead to a leak.

How to properly store food in the refrigerator

To keep food fresh longer, it must be positioned correctly and the heat setting must be precisely set.

You cannot arrange packages in random order, it is important to observe the following rules:

1. The coldest shelf (top or bottom, depending on the location of the freezer) is intended for perishable food - meat and fish products, dairy products, desserts, canned food.
2. On medium shelves, you can put pots with soup or borscht, side dishes, salads, boiled eggs.
3. On the door you can store bottles with drinks, vegetable oils, vinegar, containers with fresh eggs. This place guarantees the freshness of confectionery products that are undemanding to temperature - sweets, chocolate.
4. The pull-out containers located at the bottom of the chamber are called the "freshness zone".The temperature is kept at 0 ° C and the humidity level is high. Vegetables, fruits and greens remain fresh for several days.
5. Freezer - a compartment for finding products that must be kept fresh in a frozen state (meat, fish, semi-finished products, berries, vegetables, fruits, ice cream).

It is important to place containers of food so that they do not touch each other - this will ensure good cooling.

Recommended temperatures for food

The table shows the optimum temperature and recommended shelf life for different food groups.

Temperature adjustment for different refrigerator models

Refrigeration equipment manufacturers are deciding the choice of temperature control method in different ways.

Refrigerator temperature control knob

The Belarusian plant "Atlant" produces single-chamber and two-chamber units. To set the temperature, there is a regulator that allows you to choose one of 7 modes. The manufacturer recommends setting the regulator at mark 3. If this is not enough, you can move the mark to number 5. When the required degree of cooling is achieved, it is advisable to return the knob to mark 3 - this is enough to maintain the required level.

Atlant models with two compressors (separately for refrigerating and freezing chambers) have 2 regulators. Temperatures set between 3 and 5 ensure normal operation. Modern models are equipped with a digital panel for temperature control in the freezer and refrigerator chambers. As a rule, it is sufficient to set the required parameters. Detailed information on how to set the temperature in the Atlant refrigerator is available in the instructions.

The temperature setting in the Samsung refrigerator can be done in two ways - mechanical or electronic, depending on the model. In the first case, the installation is carried out using the thermostat knob, and in the second - with the service menu control buttons. The specified parameters will be highlighted on the display. In a two-compartment refrigerator, it is necessary to set the temperature in each compartment, they work independently of each other.

The temperature in the Indesit refrigerator is controlled by a mechanical regulator with 5 positions. Twin engine models have a panel with two handles. The setting is made separately for the freezer and refrigerator. There is no digital scale, it is replaced by a thickening semicircular line with marks. The thicker the line, the lower the temperature.

To measure how many degrees in a refrigerator that does not have an electronic display, it is enough to put a glass of water for several hours and measure the temperature of the water. If the range is from +2 to +4 ° C, then the unit operates normally. An easier way is to simply put the thermometer in the refrigerator and check the readings after 15–20 minutes.

You can quickly measure the temperature in the refrigerator by leaving the thermometer in it for a few minutes

If the values ​​differ up or down, then readjust and re-measure.