Temperature setting 1 is ideal for preserving foods, such as raw meat and poultry, in order to stop or slow the spread of bacteria that could make food unsafe or spoil.
Temperature setting 1 is the coldest
Food that requires refrigeration should be stored at an ideal temperature in order to reduce bacteria growth, but if your refrigerator has multiple temperature settings it can be tricky determining which setting provides optimal refrigeration conditions.
Temperature settings 1-2 are considered moderate and can keep food fresh for approximately 24 hours, making this an ideal way to store raw meats, fish, poultry and vegetables.
Temperature settings 4-5 are slightly warmer settings that are suitable for storing foods that do not require extremely cold temperatures to remain fresh, such as beverages and condiments that won't go bad quickly.
Temperature setting 2 is moderate
Temperature setting 2 is an optimal environment for storing foods that do not quickly perish, such as dairy products, eggs and vegetables. It is also ideal for keeping leftovers fresher longer as well as curing meats for later.
Keep in mind that food stored at warmer temperatures will spoil more quickly than frozen items stored at lower temperatures, and this could result in food-borne illness or stomach upset.
Consult the user manual or labeling on your refrigerator for details regarding its exact temperature settings and temperature ranges. In addition, using an appliance thermometer to test the freezer will help ensure consistent temperatures.
Temperature setting 3 is warm
Temperature settings on freezers generally range from one to seven, with zero being the coldest setting and providing the safest environment for frozen foods, helping prevent them from bacteria growth or freezer burn.
Temperature settings 2-3 are suitable for storing dairy products, cooked meats and leftovers; however it should be remembered that food stored here may spoil more quickly than those kept at coldest settings.
If you are uncertain of which setting to select, test lower numbers first. If drinks and food do not reach an ideal temperature, move up one number on your dial - for instance if your refrigerator features 1-5 settings, consider setting it to 4. This setting should provide the coldest refrigerator temperature possible.
Temperature setting 4 is hot
Temperature settings between 2-4 are considered appropriate and suitable for most foods, keeping frozen items frozen while also protecting them from thawing out too quickly.
At these temperatures, cooked meats, dairy products and leftovers should be stored. In addition, this temperature setting works perfectly for beverages and condiments that do not spoil quickly.
Refrigerator and freezer temperatures must be optimal to ensure food remains fresh and safe to consume, which requires consulting the user manual or label on your fridge for specific instructions. In general, temperatures in both should range between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit (4-3.33 Celsius) in the fridge and -18 Fahrenheit in the freezer respectively.
Temperature setting 5 is warm
Maintaining the temperature setting of a freezer is key to prolonging its contents. Ideally, temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit should be set so as to protect against bacterial growth while anything stored above this point will suffer from freezer burn.
Temperature dials on most fridge freezers typically span from one to seven, with seven being the coldest setting. A safe freezing level typically reached is four; for more specific information regarding your appliance please consult its user manual.
Place a food thermometer into your freezer to test its temperature. A food thermometer is inexpensive and offers rapid readings of its results.
Temperature setting 6 is warm
Referring to your refrigerator user manual and label is crucial in establishing accurate temperature settings. In general, factory defaults should remain intact unless there is an exceptional reason to alter them.
Temperature Setting 1 is cold, making it the optimal setting for foods requiring significant cooling, such as raw meats, eggs, cheese and vegetables. It is also suitable for non-perishable items.
General guidelines suggest setting your freezer at between 1 and 7, with 4 typically serving as the optimal safe freezing level. If you want your freezer to be even colder, experiment with increasing its dial setting by one number; test again 12-24 hours later, the higher its number will make food colder.
Temperature setting 7 is hot
Turning your refrigerator dial to 7 will produce extreme low temperatures that could actually speed up spoilage of food and beverages, prompting earlier spoilage of perishable items such as fruit or beverages. It should only ever be done if for very specific reasons such as preserving foods requiring high temperatures for preservation.
If you're having trouble selecting the optimal temperature setting, start by testing lower numbers first. For instance, if your fridge dial is 1-7, test lower numbers such as 2 or 3. These temperatures are perfect for storing condiments, pickles and other food that can withstand higher temperatures while also being nonperishable such as beverages or non-edible items such as drinks. Finally, the freezer should be set to 0deg Fahrenheit or below.
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