Keep the Fridge at the Right Temperature

Ideal temperatures for the refrigerator and freezer

To ensure optimal conservation of all the food you have in the refrigerator, there are several keys to consider. The main one is to select the ideal temperature of the refrigerator and freezer so that the cold conserves the food with the perfect freshness and, at the same time, the energy consumption is reduced. The recommended temperature for the refrigerator is 39°F. On those occasions when your fridge is full, you can activate the super cool function, which for several hours reaches the lowest possible temperature and then automatically returns to the temperature you had previously programmed. If your refrigerator does not have this function, you can adjust the temperature between 36º F (if it is full) and 46º F.

The ideal temperature of the freezer is -0.4º F, although many freezers allow you to adjust the temperature between 3º F and 7º F, depending on your needs. Although these are general temperatures, foods such as meat and fish require a specific temperature (and also humidity, in the case of fruit and vegetables) to maintain their properties.

Tips to help maintain the temperature

For the best conservation of food, it is essential that the selected temperatures remain stable. Here are some simple tips to help the refrigerator and freezer:

• Open the door as little as possible.
• Do not put hot food in the refrigerator.
• If you want to store a Tupperware, wait until it is at room temperature so as not to increase the temperature of the interior and, therefore, the energy consumption, nor to spoil the food inside the refrigerator.
• Do not overfill the fridge so that the cold circulates freely.

Extend the life of your appliance and prolong the life of your food!