Do you want to keep your food in the refrigerator fresh for a longer time? If yes, then you must dig into this article to seek more information to keep your fridge humming at the correct temperature.
Do you feel that your food is going bad more quickly than usual? Is it that the ice cream from your freezer is coming out like a frothy soup? If this is all happening to you, then you must need to check the temperature of your refrigerator. Now, the question arises that what is the correct temperature to set your refrigerator? For that, let’s take a look at insight.
What temperature is perfect for your refrigerator?
According to the FDA, the suggested temperature for your refrigerator should be at or below 4° C or 40° F, and the temperature of the freezer must be -18° C or 0° F. Such refrigerators are mostly inexpensive and can be easily found in most of the appliance stores.
The right temperature of the refrigerator is the key to make sure that your food, raw veggies, and fruits last as long as possible. Set the temperature right, as it is one of the easiest ways to prevent foodborne diseases that happens mostly because of the ingestion of expired milk, eggs, or other dairy products.
On the other hand, freezing is a perfect way to store items like meat, frozen food, vegetables in bulk. You must note that freezing does not affect the tenderness, flavor, juiciness, aroma, and color of the food, as long as the freezer is set to the right temperature.
Basic refrigerator rules to follow
Timely monitoring of the thermometer of the refrigerator is one of the best ways to ensure that your food is safe. But there are cases when your refrigerator is a little to warm or chilly. Then you must follow the tips mentioned below to ensure the proper working of your refrigerator.
- Close the door behind you:
There are chances that you may leave the door open while cooking or unpacking groceries, but you must ensure to close the door before anything else. Also, leave the doors open only if it is necessary.
- Set the temperature right:
You must ensure that the fridge and freezer are adjusted at the right temperature. The refrigerator must always be below 4° C, or 40° F and the freezer must always be at -18° C or 0° F.
- Spread the food items in the fridge:
It is not necessary that the person who cooks, have a filled fridge; you can stuff it even if you don’t cook. This is because a refrigerator needs a thermal mass to maintain its temperatures. The food and drinks absorb the warm heat that streams in when the door of the fridge is opened.
- Be ready:
You must always be prepared for the time when the lights are out. Ensure to keep the doors of the fridge closed as it can keep the food safe for four hours. Also, this will ensure that the freezer will maintain its temperature for 24 to 48 hours.
- Defrost your fridge regularly:
If you have a manual defrosting refrigerator, then make sure to keep a check on the walls of the freezer. If the frost accumulated is more than one and a half-inch thick, then its the right time to defrost it. Remove all the items and unplug your fridge to melt the frost. Once it is done, switch on the refrigerator and wait until the temperature is normal to restock it.
- Clean it regularly:
Make sure to clean your fridge weekly with a warm damp cloth. Wipeout all the crumbs and spills on the walls and shelves of the refrigerator. Keep your food items in airtight containers to avoid spills and to seal the odor and freshness of the food for a longer time.
- Deodorize it:
Make sure to deodorize your fridge after cleaning it. Certain deodorizers are specially designed for refrigerators. The deodorizer works 50 times more effectively than baking soda for reducing the food odor. However, it is not necessary to deodorize the fridge after every cleaning activity.