What temperature should be in the refrigerator and how to set it correctly
If you have begun to notice that the food stored in your refrigerator has been spoiling faster lately, or you have begun to find frost on the walls of the chamber, then this may be a sign that the temperature inside the device is above or below the established norm.
In this article, we will talk about the optimal temperature of the refrigerator and analyze the common reasons why this norm can be violated.
Content
Temperature zones in the refrigerator compartment
Any refrigerating chamber is divided into several departments, each of which represents a specific temperature zone:
- The main compartment is where the bulk of the food is stored. This is the most versatile zone, with the optimum storage temperature.
- Raw meat, dairy products and eggs are stored on the lower shelves, as this is the area of the refrigerator where the temperature is coldest.
- The top shelves have the most stable temperature and are well suited for storing non-perishable food.
- The side compartment, located on the inside of the appliance door, is the warmest temperature zone of the entire refrigerator.Therefore, it cannot store perishable products such as milk. It is recommended to put drinks, some spices, medicines, etc., as well as foods that are best eaten cold here.
- Drawers at the bottom of the chamber are used to store vegetables, fruits and herbs. The temperature in these drawers, as well as in the side compartment, is very warm and is not suitable for storing perishable products.
What temperature should the refrigerator be?
The correct temperature setting for a domestic refrigerator is one at which food is cooled but not frozen.
If the temperature is not low enough (for example, around 15 degrees), the processes of decay will gradually accelerate until the products lose their nutritional value and begin to exude an unpleasant odor.
In addition, the optimal temperature regime in the refrigerator not only has a beneficial effect on food storage, but also reduces energy costs.
Lower temperatures in the refrigerator stop the growth of bacteria that contribute to putrefactive processes.
How many degrees should be in the refrigerator? The ideal temperature in the refrigerator compartment should be above 0°C (liquid-to-solid transition point, i.e. freezing point), but should not exceed 5°C (temperature limit for effective inhibition of bacterial growth).
It is suggested that foodstuffs are best stored at 2°C.
However, it is very important to remember that inside the refrigerator compartment there is a significant temperature stratification in the form of several temperature zones. It is on this basis that you should arrange the products in the refrigerator.
Yes, the air temperature in the refrigerator is not the same, and it is this understanding that should be critical when storing individual products.
The refrigerator is designed in such a way as to ensure optimal circulation of cold air in different compartments and temperature zones.
Thanks to this, the food in your refrigerator stays fresh for much longer, but it does not overfreeze.
Each refrigerator from modern manufacturers (Atlant, Indesit, Bosch, Lg, Haier, Liebherr, Samsung, Stinol) equipped with a built-in thermostat, which is responsible for the temperature regime. In some models, there are two such regulators at once - one for the refrigerator and one for the freezer. In the latter case, the temperature is always kept lower to prevent bacterial growth and food defrosting.
Typically, the thermostat maintains an average temperature between -6 and -24°C. As for the freezer, a reasonable optimum for it is about -18 ° C. Interestingly, at this temperature, supplies can be stored for up to one year.
Why does the temperature rise in the chamber
Sometimes it happens that the refrigerator stops maintaining the temperature and starts to heat up, and sometimes even leak. In such a situation, the products begin to deteriorate quickly, and an unpleasant smell comes from the refrigerator.
There can be several reasons for this problem: starting with improper operation and ending with a malfunction of one of the components of the device.
Let's look at the main reasons why the temperature in the refrigerator may rise, despite the selected settings.
Thermostat malfunction
As we have already said, the thermostat is a very important component of the refrigerator, which is responsible for controlling the cooling system and contributes to the uniform distribution of cold over all temperature zones of the refrigerator.
If the thermostat is damaged, the temperature of the refrigerator automatically drops and it gradually starts to defrost.
A problem with the thermostat can lead to a malfunction of the entire refrigerator, so if it fails, it is urgent to find a replacement for it.
The temperature sensor provides an incorrect signal
The temperature inside the refrigerator is also controlled by a special temperature sensor, the main task of which is to monitor a constant level of heat in the chamber. If the desired temperature is not reached, the sensor starts flashing.
If the indicator does not work correctly, the refrigerator starts to receive incorrect data or does not receive anything at all. Thus, even if the thermostat is working, the device simply cannot receive a signal to switch to the optimal mode.
But a sensor malfunction can lead not only to warming inside the chamber, but vice versa, to excessive freezing.. There are even such cases when the temperature sensor is simply covered with ice and freezes, as a result of which the information is transmitted incorrectly.
Loss of refrigerant
Refrigerant is the main working substance of the refrigerator, which is responsible for heat exchange in refrigerators and freezers.
In the liquid state, the refrigerant passes from the compressor to the condenser, located at the back of the refrigerator, in the form of curved pipes.Thanks to this device, the refrigerant is condensed under high pressure and becomes a gas that circulates throughout the chamber and provides cooling. In fact, the entire operation of the refrigerator is based on the transformation of the refrigerant from liquid to vapor.
During operation, the refrigerator alternately compresses (evaporates) and decompresses (condenses) the refrigerant, thereby maintaining the temperature inside the device.
Sometimes it may happen that a leak occurs in the cooling system, as a result of which the coolant flows out.
Thus, if for some reason there is a loss of refrigerant, over time you will notice that the refrigerator has stopped maintaining the temperature, water begins to accumulate at the bottom of the chamber, and even if cooling occurs, it is uneven.
What to do in such a situation? It is urgent to eliminate the cause of the refrigerant leak. This is a complicated procedure, which is best left to the specialists of the service center.
Broken door seal
One of the most common and at the same time the simplest reasons why you may have cooling problems is the lack of a chamber seal.
The rubber seal on the refrigerator door wears out over time and may even come off. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly check its condition and, if necessary, replace it.
A good way to check the condition of the seal is to run a piece of paper between it and the door. Remember that a loose rubber band, even in only one place, can lead to a serious malfunction in the temperature regime of the refrigerator.
Installing a new gasket on the door is not difficult - even the services of a specialist, most likely, will not be required.In most modern models of two-chamber refrigerators, the seal is easily installed by simple pressure, without the use of glue.
Faulty defrost heater
In modern refrigeration units, unlike old Soviet models (for example, in Minsk refrigerators), defrosting is carried out automatically - using the No Frost system.
The essence of the technology lies in the fact that, when ice forms and temperature changes are recorded, a heating element (heater) and a special fan are turned on inside the refrigerator, distributing warm air through the chamber. Thus, the ice is thawed and defrosted.
However, it can happen that the heater fails, and instead of starting from time to time, it runs continuously. In this case, the cooling system is broken, and the refrigerator, instead of cooling, turns into a heater.
In this case, the heating element must be replaced without fail in order to prevent further malfunctions.
Why does the refrigerator compartment freeze
The formation of frost on the inside walls of the refrigerator is just as bad a sign as the accumulation of water due to its warming.
The refrigerator compartment should be cooling, but not freezing, which means that the device is not functioning properly.
No, do not misunderstand: the accumulation of condensation on the walls of the refrigerator is quite normal, but it should be within the normal range. A slight layer of moisture or a few visible drops is allowed, but no icing.
Consider the main reasons why this situation can occur.
Opening the refrigerator door too often
If you are a fan of keeping the door of your home refrigerator open for a long time, you may not be surprised that ice will begin to accumulate inside over time.
The problem is that, as a result of the temperature exchange, due to contact with warm air, moisture begins to condense abundantly in the chamber.
This is the same process we described in the temperature rise problem, but in this case, the cooling continues to work, which means that all this water freezes and turns into accumulations of ice. We can also note the more intensive work of the compressor, which reacts to the increase in temperature and tries to provide the device with proper cooling, which leads us to this result.
Keep in mind that many other factors also affect the formation of moisture, such as ambient temperature, because in summer the refrigerator cools much more intensively.
In addition, a frequent factor in the rise in temperature and subsequent frosts is warm food. Always chill pots and leftovers before putting them on the refrigerator shelf.
Wrong temperature
A common cause of refrigerator malfunction is incorrect temperature setting.
Check the temperature set in the refrigerator: if it is not equal to 5 ° C, then change the parameters to the optimal ones.
And also keep in mind that frequent and unreasonable opening of the refrigerator door does not contribute to its proper operation. Warm air gets inside, and if there is too much of it in the refrigerator, it will be difficult for him to cope with all this load.
Faulty thermostat
As we already mentioned, the thermostat is a very important device that affects the activation of many other components of the device, in particular the compressor.
If the thermostat suddenly stops reading information about the state in which to maintain the temperature in the chamber, then it can simply turn off - then you will most likely encounter the problem of lack of cooling.
Or it will go to factory settings and work with disproportionate power, continuously cooling the camera. In this case, it will need to be replaced.
Control module failure
The "brain" of the refrigerator is the control module, which controls the operation of all other components. Unfortunately, this also means that if something happens to it, the operation of the entire device will be disrupted.
The cause of the breakdown may be a short circuit or power problems. In order to eliminate the defect, it is not enough to look at the instructions for the device. Unfortunately, you will have to contact the service.
Therefore, if ice accumulates in your refrigerator, there is a chance that the problem is caused by a malfunction in the system as a whole.
Temperature standards for compartments in the door
The compartment on the inside of the door is the warmest spot in the entire refrigerator. It is designed for products that require the most gentle and balanced cooling.
On the door of the refrigerator is usually placed a tray for eggs, which can neither be supercooled nor kept warm. The side compartment is the perfect place to store butter or vegetable oil, various jams, preserves, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, cartoned juices and bottled sauces.
Also, many people keep medicines on the refrigerator door, although this does not apply to all types of drugs.
The average temperature in this zone is 8-13°C.
At what temperature to store food
As you know, the temperature inside the refrigerator is distributed vertically, due to which there are separate temperature zones assigned to different groups of products.
Proper storage of food implies awareness of which shelves and compartments of the refrigerator are responsible for what, and what temperature they should have:
- Fruits and vegetables should be stored in special drawers at the very bottom of the refrigerator compartment. Along with the side compartment on the door, this is one of the warmest places in the refrigerator. The average temperature there normally does not exceed 8 ° C.
- Fresh meat and fish should be placed on the bottom shelf as the coldest temperature of the fridge compartment is kept there at 2°C.
- For dairy products, eggs, cakes, meat products and cheese, medium shelves are intended, the temperature of which is 4-5 ° C. Soups are also recommended to be stored at this temperature.
- The upper shelves, with an average temperature of 7°C, are the best place for products with a long shelf life (canned food, strong alcoholic drinks, dry mixes, etc.).
Temperature control
The temperature in the refrigerator should not fall below 0°C, as at this temperature the food starts to freeze. Also, it should not be higher than 5 ° C - this is the limit level above which bacteria begin to actively multiply and products begin to deteriorate.
It is assumed that 2-3°C is the most optimal temperature for the refrigerator compartment, but in fact it depends, among other things, on the outside air temperature. In countries with a tropical climate, storage conditions will differ from countries with a continental climate.
Modern models automatically adjust the temperature inside the chamber to environmental conditions, therefore, in the event of a sharp change in climate, the refrigerator will respond by changing the temperature regime.
But you yourself are unlikely to notice the difference if the refrigerator is working. This is dictated by the simple laws of physics: when warm summer air gets inside, it is not evenly distributed throughout the chamber, but rises.
Therefore, if the thermostat is set to the optimum temperature of 2°C, you will see 7°C on the upper shelves, about 4-5°C on the middle ones, and those same 2°C at the lowest level. The food storage conditions have not changed, only the average temperature has changed.
Useful video
To find out in detail what is the average temperature in the refrigerator and its compartments, watch the video:
