Ideal Fridge Temperature / Ideal Freezer Temp

Appliance Section	Ideal Temperature in Fahrenheit	Ideal Temperature in Celcius	Acceptable Range
Refrigerator	37°F	2.8 °C	32°F to 40°F / 0°Ç to 4.4°C
Freezer	0°F	-18°C	0°F to -20°F / -17.8°C to -27.8°C

Why is it imperative to keep your refrigerator in this ideal temperature range?
Although refrigeration slows bacterial growth, pathogenic bacteria (the kind of bacteria that exists in nature and causes foodborne illness) grows far more rapidly at temperatures above 40°F. Temperatures above 40°F are often referred to, when speaking about foods, as the “danger zone“.[1].

Ideal Fridge Temperature

Additional Information About Refrigerators and Ideal Temperatures

The temperature within your fridge varies with normal usage.
Most modern refrigerators have a display showing the internal temperature. If yours does not, or if you think the thermostat may be broken, a refrigerator thermometer placed inside can be very helpful.

The temperature in different sections of your fridge will also vary.
It is best to hang a thermometer from the shelf in the center of your fridge for the most accurate reading. The coldest parts of the fridge are in the back (near the cooling elements) and on the bottom shelf (because heat rises). Place items that could use the extra cold, for instance fresh meats, in these areas of your refrigerator. The warmest parts of the fridge are on the top shelf (again because heat rises) and even warmer is the door (because it is furthest from the cooling elements) and the fact that the door generally opens frequently, allowing cold to escape and warm air to enter. Place things like condiments and butter on the door, but not sensitive items like milk and eggs where their shelf life would decrease due to the frequent variances in temperature.

If your fridge has a separate temperature control for the produce drawer, then it is ideally kept between 40°F and 45°F (4°C to 7°C).
But, be sure to only store fruits and vegetables in this drawer if you raise the temperature to these levels.

The most important thing with the produce drawer is the humidity setting.
Basically, the humidity setting opens or closes a hole for the ethylene gas to escape. So, a low humidity setting is good to keep most fruits from ripening too soon and a high humidity setting will keep lettuce and other leafy vegetables moist so that they will not wilt as quickly.

A little known fact is that a full refrigerator works more efficiently than an empty one.
A full fridge holds the temperature better, thus is more energy efficient during heavy exercise cycles of opening/closing/opening/closing. A full fridge is a happy fridge, just be careful not to pack your fridge so full that the air can’t circulate around your foods – like it was designed to do!

Likewise with a freezer, a full freezer actually works better than an empty one.
If you don’t have a full freezer, then try adding in some water bottles. Simply fill empty water bottles with tap water and add them to the freezer. They can later be used to pack your cooler for a picnic or keep your lunch cold, once you bring home more food to place into the freezer.

The exact same air runs from the freezer to the refrigerator (if they’re connected of course).
Therefore, if your freezer isn’t cold enough then your fridge is also in danger of becoming too warm. If your fridge gets too warm, then try setting the freezer colder and if you have a humidity setting then turn the humidity to high.

Never let ice build up in your fridge or freezer.
This causes it to work harder and thus use more energy.

For tips on how to arrange your fridge to make use of the varying temperatures contained within, see our fridge arrangement post.

We like the thermometers pictured above to measure ideal fridge temperature because they are quick to read with a blue area indicating the safe range for both refrigerator and freezer temperatures. We found the duo set featured above at the local Target store, a handy purchase so that you can keep a thermometer in both the fridge and the freezer.

Remember: For proper food storage, it is extremely important to keep your appliance running at the ideal fridge temperature of 32°F – 40°F, with the maximum ideal fridge temp being 40°F (4°C) and the ideal freezer temperature being at or below 0°F (-18°C).