Food safety is an important component for all people who are concerned about their health. And the effect of the temperature inside the refrigerator on one or another group of products can directly affect the overall well-being.
To this day, specialists in the field of domestic development do not have a specific figure, which indicates an acceptable temperature for storing food.
And all because the optimum temperature in the refrigerator is an individual value and norm for each manufacturer.
After reading the article to the end, you can find answers to exciting questions and determine the individual temperature level.
Modern household refrigerator
The developers of modern refrigerators made a lot of efforts to eventually get the appliance out of the essential category, which meets all the requirements and is as easy to use as possible.
It's no secret that back in Soviet times, the refrigerator was a simple drawer with a minimum number of functions. Now this is an advanced technology that can defrost itself, “relax” and even make decisions. Undoubtedly, this greatly facilitates the operation process.
At the same time, using the most necessary functions, we often forget about hidden nuances that can be very useful in everyday life.
General characteristics
You must admit that the optimum temperature in the refrigerator is rather difficult and in some places even a ridiculous question to perceive, which is inappropriate to talk about if you do not know the main characteristics of the unit. It’s the same as discussing the scent of a rose without any idea what it looks like. Most often, refrigerators are usually classified by type.
Fridge freezers
These are standard models that can be found in almost every home.
Refrigerators without a freezer
Such devices are compact in size, and the correct temperature in a refrigerator of this type does not exceed 14 degrees, but also does not fall below 2˚. As a rule, these are "mobile" models for various kinds of short trips. For example, on nature or a business trip to a neighboring city.
In addition to the two most common, there is another type.
Wine cooler
This is a model that, in addition to the usual freezer (or even instead of it) assumes the presence of a compartment (cabinet) for storing wine.
How to find out the temperature in the refrigerator
There is nothing shameful if you bought or have been using the unit for a long time, but do not know how to determine the temperature in the refrigerator. Low or high temperature? The eternal question of housewives.
The easiest way is to buy a refrigerator with a built-in thermometer, which will independently and accurately measure it.
But what if there is no opportunity to purchase such a model, and compliance with strict temperature standards is a matter of special importance? Do not panic. To solve the problem, just install a special thermometer, which is easy to find in any specialized household store and attach it to one of the walls inside.
Plus to minus
It is generally accepted that the products retain their original appearance, freshness and all useful properties for as long as possible, the optimum temperature in the refrigerator should be at a negative mark. However, this is not quite true.
The minus temperature is the best option for the freezer, which stores meat, poultry and various kinds of semi-finished products.
But for standard storage compartments, the highest temperature in the refrigerator is most preferable. If it is observed, the products are not frozen, but are stored, preserving the beneficial properties and vitamins.
What temperature is needed in the refrigerator
The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a refrigerator with a freezer is its minimum temperature.
Remember the "ancient" refrigerators in the house of grandparents. Their distinguishing feature was snowflakes located on the side panel. We knew that one snowflake is 6˚, and if you add up their total number, you could easily calculate the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer. The same principle has been preserved to the present.
Each modern refrigerator is equipped with a star-shaped indicator on the front. One star is 7˚ Celsius. Therefore, 3 stars mean that the freezer can cool down to -21˚, and the model from the manufacturer with four stars has a degree of cooling below -21˚.
GOST Standards
According to the state standard 52307-2005 of July 1, 2005 (clause 3.5), the temperature in a household refrigerator with a volume of more than 40 m 3 at full load, depending on the ambient temperature, should be:
- at t˚ more than 32–40 degrees Celsius - from 6˚ to 10˚;
- at t˚ over 10˚, but no more than 32˚ - from 1˚ to 5˚.
The air temperature in the refrigerator up to 40 m 3 depending on the ambient temperature should be:
- at t˚ over 32˚ – 40˚ - from 1˚ to 8˚;
- at t˚ over 10˚, but no more than 32˚ - from 1 degree to 5.
And the shelf life of products under such conditions should not be more than two days.
Actual Deviation Standards
Finding themselves in an unpleasant situation, the cause of which is a faulty refrigerator, every sane person seeks to “take” it to repair as soon as possible.
It is there that disputes arise on the basis of differences in actual characteristics, which are prescribed in the owner’s instructions, with real GOST.
It should be remembered that the ideal temperature in the refrigerator should be measured by specialists of the service center in a fixed position at three different points, with a relative humidity of not more than 75% and not less than 45%, while the ambient temperature is 20˚ with a slight deviation of ± 5˚.
"Freshness Zone"
The "Freshness Zone" refers to one of the latest technological developments in the field of refrigeration equipment and represents a special place in the main refrigerating chamber, which provides food with an air temperature close to zero.
This method is ideal for products that have an appropriate shelf life. At the same time, they remain protected from the loss of important taste and healthy qualities of a particular ingredient.
In other words, the "freshness zone" is the normal temperature in the refrigerator, which remains constant.
The "Freshness Zone" is of two types, each of which represents:
- A separate chamber with an autonomous system for maintaining a certain temperature and humidity, which is divided into 2 additional compartments with humidity up to 55% and 95% for fish and vegetables, respectively.
- Conventional drawer leaky.
Temperature for different types of products
The temperature in the refrigerator should be met according to the type of each individual product:
- Eggs are stored at t˚ from +2 to + 4˚ for no more than three weeks.
- Dairy products (cheeses, sour cream, cottage cheese, butter, cream, kefir, etc.) are stored at t˚ from +2 to + 6˚.
- Fish products should be stored at t˚ from –4 to –8˚.
- Seafood at t˚ not higher than –18˚.
If you doubt whether a particular product corresponds to a particular category, and at what temperature to store it, you should refer to the instructions that are on the manufacturer’s packaging.
What should not be stored in the refrigerator
Products that are particularly susceptible to cold environments include coffee, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and hot sauces.
In the end, it should be added that the optimal temperature in the refrigerator is an important point for every housewife or single man.
Before direct operation of the device after purchase and installation, it is important to pay special attention to the study of the technical characteristics that are prescribed from "A" to "Z" in the manufacturer's instructions. This will not only avoid undesirable problems and breakdowns in the future, but also save you from a number of related issues.