To keep food fresh and not spoil, the correct temperature in the refrigerator must be observed. We will understand the features of storage and placement of various types of products and how to properly set and measure the temperature.
Food in the refrigerator
How many degrees should be
Refrigerator manufacturers must adhere to technical regulations. The requirements apply to all devices, regardless of whether it is a normal refrigerator or with a Nou Frost system.
One of these standards is the ability to adjust the temperature. The consumer is allowed to set the desired values both in the freezer and in the refrigerator compartment, but within reasonable limits. Each model has a certain minimum and maximum.
The optimum temperature for a domestic refrigerator is + 2 ... + 4 degrees Celsius. The optimum temperature for the freezer is –18 degrees.
However, the storage conditions of different products are different. To provide customers with the opportunity to store products correctly, in accordance with the requirements, refrigerators are divided into several zones, each with a certain temperature regime.
Important! That is, the temperature on the lower shelf of the refrigerator and on the top will be different. Typically, manufacturers describe in detail in the instructions a list of products that are suitable for storage in a particular area.
As a rule, the instructions are very informative, accompanied by colorful pictures and images. Some brands, trying to make life easier for customers, put product images on boxes and shelves.
Cold distribution in the refrigerator
Freezer
Depending on the specific model, the temperature in this compartment can be from –6 to –28 degrees. A low value is used for shock freezing. The optimum value is –18 degrees.
Freshness zone
Such a zone is not present in all models, but only in the most expensive ones. This is a special place in the refrigerator where 0 degrees is supported. Some manufacturers call this branch a “zero zone”.
Freshness zone
The zero zone is suitable for short-term storage of meat, fish, sausages, cheeses, dairy products, herbs, fruits and vegetables.
Other areas of the refrigerator
Top shelf
Here, a normal temperature is usually maintained in the range from +2 to +4 degrees. On the upper shelves you can store eggs, pastries and convenience foods.
Middle shelf
The value in this zone is + 3 ... + 6 ° C. It usually stores prepared dishes: soups, sauces, borscht, main dishes, etc.
Bottom shelf
By standards, the temperature here should be no more than +8 degrees, best of all - +6 degrees. Typically, vegetables are placed on the bottom shelf and in drawers, as well as any other products that do not need to be stored for a long time.
Product Storage Table
Different food products have different storage conditions. So, dairy products are stored at a temperature of + 2 ... + 6 ° C, eggs - + 2 ... + 4 ° C, sausage - + 2 ... + 5 ° C, vegetables - + 4 ... + 6 ° C. Fish, meat and seafood are stored in the freezer.
Proper operation of the refrigerator
Product storage periods
How to set the temperature in the refrigerator
All household models of refrigerators, depending on the control method, are of two types - electronic and mechanical.
How to properly adjust the temperature in a digitally controlled refrigerator
Temperature control in refrigerators with a digital type of control is not difficult. To do this, refer to the instructions and carefully study the buttons on the control panel.
Typically, in devices of this class, the temperature is controlled using the “+” and “-” buttons, which respectively means to add or lower the temperature. The set parameters are displayed on a digital display. When you exit setup mode, the display will show the actual temperature in the cameras.
Electronically controlled refrigerator
How the temperature is regulated in the refrigerator with electromechanical control and in the freezer
Set the control wheel to the desired position
In mechanical models, the temperature regime is set using a special wheel. By turning it in the desired direction, you can set the desired mode. As a rule, the regulator has several positions (from 1 to 7). They are marked on the controller with numbers or dots, snowflakes (depending on the model). To find out what temperature corresponds to a particular wheel position, again refer to the instructions.
How temperature is regulated in two-compressor refrigerator models
In modern models of two-compartment refrigerators, 2 compressors can be installed, one of which is responsible for the operation of the freezer, and the other for the refrigeration. Such a device allows you to configure and manage separately the operation of each motor: the temperature in the freezer and in the refrigerator is set separately. Moreover, at any time, you can turn off one compressor (for example, if you need to defrost a freezer), the other compartment will operate normally.
The tuning principle is the same as in single-compressor models, with the exception that you need to configure not one, but two controllers at once.
Features of temperature conditions in different brands of refrigerators
Manufacturers, trying to provide even more convenience to the user, are introducing new technological solutions. In particular, according to customer reviews, the option that allows you to set the desired temperature for each shelf separately turned out to be very useful. What else did the manufacturers please us with?
Liebherr
Liebher refrigerators are famous for their reliability and great functionality. The range of the brand includes many models with electronic control and separate adjustment in the refrigerator and freezer compartment. Also in the technique of this brand there are several special modes:
- SmartFreeze - extra-fast and very high-quality freezing due to increased air circulation. In this mode, you can very quickly freeze a large number of products.
- CoolPlus - in this mode, the refrigerator adjusts to the ambient temperature.
Atlant
Refrigerators of this brand are mainly mechanically adjustable. There are seven positions on the handle of the thermostat. Position seven sets the lowest temperature, one the highest.
Important! Setting the regulator to position 0 disables the motor.
Gorenje
This brand mainly produces models with electromechanical control. The knob has a smooth switch from the "Max" to "Min." The manufacturer recommends using the maximum mode if the ambient temperature is below +16 degrees. In rooms with temperatures from +25 degrees and above it is better to use the "Min" position.
Indesit
Another brand that uses predominantly mechanical adjustment. The regulator of such refrigerators has five positions, where the number five corresponds to the lowest temperature. In older models, an arrow may be drawn instead of numbers.
"Stinol"
In Stinol refrigerators, two regulators, independent of each other, are usually installed. Each of them has five adjustment modes and an additional super-cooling option.
Samsung and LG
In almost all models of recent years of production, the temperature in the freezer compartment and in the refrigerator is regulated separately. The brand mainly produces electronic models.
Initially, a value of 3 degrees is predefined in the refrigerator. If you want to change it, press the Fridge button. Each press is one degree. The range of possible values is from 1 to 7 degrees.
The adjustment range for the freezer is –14 to –25 ° C. The temperature is set in the same way.
Important! You can activate the quick freeze mode. It works for up to three days, after which the device will return to its original settings.
Bosch
Refrigerators of this brand are regulated in the same way as Samsung. In these models, in addition to superfreezing, supercooling can also be provided. In this mode, the device works for two hours, after which it returns to the initial settings.
How to measure the temperature in the freezer of the refrigerator and in the refrigerator
In refrigerators with a built-in thermometer or digital display, it is easy to determine the temperature in the chambers. This data is displayed directly on the screen. In the first case, in the form of a scale, in the second, in numbers.
Refrigerator with temperature indicator
But such a technique is much more expensive than conventional models with mechanical regulators. In addition, only refrigerators of recent years are equipped with built-in thermometers.
Owners of refrigerators with a mechanical type of adjustment quite often do not even know what temperature is set. After all, manufacturers usually write on the controllers not numbers, but numbers or dots. It is for them that the user intuitively sets the desired value. And many do not “bother” at all, setting the regulator in the middle position and using this mode throughout the entire life cycle.
They start to sound an alarm when they notice that the products in the refrigerator are freezing or, on the contrary, disappearing. Of course, you can refer to the instructions to see what temperature corresponds to a particular position of the regulator.
You can measure the temperature in the refrigerator by yourself using available tools. To do this, take a conventional thermometer and place it in a glass of water. Then refrigerate.
Put the glass with the thermometer in the center of the refrigerator
Measurement Recommendations:
- A refrigerator clogged to the top may show incorrect data. Therefore, before taking measurements, try to “empty” the refrigerator, leaving it with only the most necessary products.
- Measure in a hermetically sealed compartment a few hours after turning on the appliance. This is due to the fact that after turning on the device for some time enters the operating mode. Accordingly, if you start measuring immediately, the thermometer will show overestimated values.
- A glass of water and a thermometer should be placed on the middle shelf in the center. It is advisable not to rush and leave a glass with a thermometer for several hours. At this time, try not to open the door (it is easier to do this at night or on a business day).
Such manipulations with a thermometer are not suitable for the freezer. But unlike the refrigerator compartment, a difference in the freezer of several degrees is not critical and in most cases does not lead to spoilage of products. But it is important that the temperature is maintained at one point. It will also be useful to know to what indicators the temperature decreases in the “superfrost” mode.
Fridge thermometer
As already mentioned, conventional thermometers are not suitable for this, but you can use outdoor ones. To understand how well the refrigerator works under extreme conditions, measure the temperature on the coldest and hottest day of the year.
