What number should my frigidaire refrigerator be set at

Setting the refrigerator temperature right is important for its proper functioning and power saving. This article provides information about the correct refrigerator temperature and how to set it.

A very important kitchen appliance, the refrigerator is a part of every household nowadays. It keeps all your food fresh by preventing the growth of bacteria in it. An incorrect freezer temperature alters the food’s texture, flavor, taste, nutrient content, and safety. The temperature of the refrigerator surrounding keeps changing and the refrigerator has to adjust its internal temperature to keep your food fresh all the time. Refrigerant gasses like ammonia and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) are compressed and cooled to form a liquid. The liquid is then evaporated by the heat drawn from the surrounding, leading to the reduction of the internal refrigerator temperature. However, setting the ideal temperature is important to ensure complete safety of the food from bacteria and to avoid altering the taste. Setting the right temperature also ensures conservation of energy.

Basic Temperature Settings

A knob is usually provided with the refrigerator to help you change the temperature settings. Normally, it will have the numbers 1-5 or 1-9 in the fridge and a dial representing the letters A-E in the freezer. If you have the 1 to 5 format, the best way is to set it to three. Whereas, if you have the 1 to 9 format make it 4. The ideal refrigerator temperature settings range between 34 °F to 38 °F or 1 °C to 3 °C and the ideal freezer temperature settings range around 0 °F (-18 °C) or lower. However, be careful not to allow the temperature of the refrigerator cross to 41 °F because this can foster bacterial growth. Also, do not let the temperature drop below 34 °F because that will lead to the freezing of food items and they will no longer be eatable. Moreover, the change in temperature that you make will take at least a day to take full effect.

The ideal temperature range is set at 38 °F and it may shut off at 35 °F. Although, if you have meat items in your refrigerator, consider lowering the temperature below the standard value. This range of temperature is very energy saving. Your energy bills will also reduce. The CFCs released from the refrigerator will also remain in control if the right range is set. Remember that the temperature knobs may be different for different freezer models. Therefore, before you try your hand at setting the freezer temperature, make sure you go through the user manual provided by the manufacturer.

Other Considerations

Along with all the above, try to follow the general rules for the proper and long term functioning of your refrigerator.

• Keep the refrigerator door closed when you are not using it. When you are using it, open it for a minimum amount of time.
• Clean the entire refrigerator once a week, otherwise your food items will get some foul smell whenever they are kept in it.
• If your refrigerator has become very old, chances are that it is not working efficiently and may also be releasing a lot of CFCs. To avoid harming nature and for saving money, buy a new refrigerator.

Nowadays, many energy efficient refrigerator models are available in the market. Some of these new models also have automatic temperature control and maintenance. This is a very useful feature. You do not have to defrost these new refrigerators either.

Question: Our older refrigerator seems to be much colder than normal. The dial on the refrigerator setting dial has the numbers 0-9. The problem is that there is no indication of which number (higher or lower) to set the dial to make the refrigerator colder or warmer.

Generally, what number is coldest on a refrigerator? The highest number or the lowest number? Quick Answer: The higher number is the coldest setting.

Most refrigerator temperature settings are controlled with a dial or slider. They are sometimes labeled 1 through 5 or 1 through 9. If you are not sure what to set it to, then set it somewhere in the middle. If the dial is numbered 1 to 5 set it on 3, if the dial is numbered 1 to 9, then set at 4.

USUALLY the higher the number on the temp control dial, the colder the temperature your refrigerator will get. If your drinks and food are not as cold as you like, set the temperature dial up one number higher. If it is at 3 and you want your food colder, set it to 4 and test 12-24 hours later to see if your food is at the temperature you desire.

Most Kenmore, LG, Samsung, Maytag, GE, and newer Whirlpool refrigerators have an actual digital readout that displays the exact temperature. These newer refrigerators still have temperature control sliders, knobs, dials, and digital touch pad controls. This makes it much easier to know and control the exact temperature in your fridge or freezer.

An easy way to check to find out the exact temperature is to use a simple inexpensive thermometer in the refrigerator. Most refrigerator controls do not show the actual temperature so using a thermometer is a good idea. Your refrigerator should be below 40 degrees F to be safe. The best temperature to suit just about any refrigerator is ideally at 37 degrees F.

If the settings on your temperature control dial seem to be making the fridge too cold or too warm, use the thermometer reading to adjust the settings dial until you have the best temperature. Allow 12 to 24 hours between each adjustment. Low (colder) temperatures are key to prevent bacteria growth and to keep your food fresher longer. Here is information on storing food at safe temperatures.

If you turn the dial to number 0, that effectively turns the fridge off. Setting the dial to 9, the refrigerator will be working at its max capability. Your personal temperature setting will depend on how much food is kept in the refrigerator. If your fridge is packed with food, it needs to be on a higher number setting to maintain a low (colder) temperature.

The temperature controller dial or slider on your refrigerator is a thermostat. It kicks the compressor on when the refrigerator is not cold enough. The refrigerator then turns the compressor off when the desired temperature has been reached. The more food you have in your refrigerator, the more stable the temperature will be. Set the thermostat to the middle of its range and leave it for 12 to 24 hours.

Adjusting Side-by-Side Refrigerator Temp Controls – Knobs

Adjusting Bottom Freezer Refrigerator Temp Controls – Knobs

Where Should My Refrigerator Controls Be Set At?

If you have seen refrigerator temperature controls that are completely different from the types we have mentioned above, please leave a comment below to advise our other readers having the same issue.

Allen is a Home Appliance Repairman & Aerospace Technician. He is the author and creator of this website. Allen has 33 years of experience troubleshooting and repairing home and commercial appliances. Allen also has many years of experience with electrical, HVAC, plumbing, lighting, flooring, landscaping, painting, and car and aircraft fuel systems.