Quick answer
What temperature should a fridge be? Keep your fridge at 4°C (40°F) or colder, and your freezer at -18°C (0°F) or colder. That is the guidance from Health Canada. Most fridges do well set between 2°C and 4°C. Use an appliance thermometer to check, because the number on the control is not always the internal temperature on the shelf.
| Compartment | Set it to | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge | 4°C (40°F) or colder; 2-4°C is a good range | Slows bacteria, including Listeria |
| Freezer | -18°C (0°F) or colder | Stops bacteria from growing |
| Danger zone | 4-60°C (40-140°F) | Bacteria multiply quickly. Keep perishable food out of it |
Why I am writing this
I am Zack, head technician at Appliance Forever. We repair fridges across the GTA, York Region and Simcoe County. Plenty of “my fridge is broken” calls turn out to be a fridge set wrong or a thermometer that was never checked. Here is how to get it right, and how to tell when the setting is not the problem.
What temperature should a fridge be for food safety?
Cold does not kill bacteria. It slows bacterial growth. Above 4°C, spoilage bacteria and the bacteria behind foodborne illness grow much faster, so food safety starts with the right refrigerator temperature. Health Canada singles out Listeria because it can still grow at fridge temperatures. That is why it advises 4°C or lower to slow it, and -18°C in the freezer to stop it.
Too cold is a problem too. Below about 0°C, dairy products, eggs, lettuce and fruit start to freeze in the fridge section.
How to check your fridge temperature
The display or dial on your fridge is a setting, not a measurement. To know the real temperature:
- Put an appliance thermometer (a refrigerator thermometer) in a glass of water on the middle shelf. Water gives a steadier reading than air.
- Put a second thermometer in the freezer, between frozen items.
- Leave both overnight, or at least several hours, without opening the doors much.
- Read them first thing in the morning.
Fridge above 4°C, or freezer warmer than -18°C? Make it colder by one step and check again the next day. Fridges take hours to settle after a change. GE suggests waiting about 24 hours.
How to set the temperature
Dial controls (1-5, 1-7, or 1-9)
On most dial fridges, a higher number means colder. On some models it is the other way round, so check your manual or the label inside the door.
- Start in the middle (3 on a 1-5 dial, 4 on a 1-7 dial).
- Change one step at a time, then wait a day and check the thermometer.
- Avoid the coldest setting unless the thermometer says you need it. It often freezes food at the back.
Digital controls: Samsung, LG, Whirlpool and others
Most digital fridges let you pick the exact temperature:
- Fridge: 3°C (37-38°F) is a good everyday setting. Never go above 4°C (40°F).
- Freezer: -18°C (0°F).
- Samsung: press the Fridge or Freezer button on the panel until the temperature you want shows. Some models need you to unlock the panel first (hold the Lock button for a few seconds).
- LG: press Refrigerator or Freezer to step through the settings. Some models show the settings as levels instead of degrees.
- Whirlpool: use the up and down arrows next to the fridge or freezer display. Older models have a dial inside the fridge.
Button names and lock steps vary by model, so if a button does nothing, check your manual for “control lock”.
If the display shows °F and you want °C, most models switch when you hold one button for a few seconds. The manual lists which button.
Where to put food
- Upper shelves and refrigerator door: drinks, condiments, ready-to-eat food. The door is the warmest part, so keep milk and eggs on a shelf instead.
- Lower shelves: raw meat, poultry and fish, in a container so juices cannot drip onto other food.
- Crisper drawers: fruit and vegetables, at the humidity setting your manual suggests.
- Do not overpack. Cold air has to move around the food. A packed fridge has warm spots, and perishable foods there spoil first.
Food storage tips that keep the temperature steady
- Cool hot food fast, in shallow containers. A big pot of hot food warms everything around it. Split it into shallow containers so it chills quickly. Health Canada advises refrigerating leftovers within 2 hours.
- Keep the door closed. Every opening lets room temperature air in. Decide what you need before you open it.
- Wrap freezer food tightly. Air causes freezer burn: dry, grey patches and ice crystals on the food. It is a quality problem, not a safety one, but it ruins texture.
- Watch the freezer temperature too. Large ice crystals inside packages, or food that softens and refreezes, means the freezer is not holding -18°C.
- Check the gasket. A door seal that does not grip lets cold air out all day.
When a fridge cannot hold its temperature
If you set it right and the thermometer still reads high, or food freezes at a normal setting, the setting is not the problem. Watch for:
- the fridge reads above 4°C on a normal setting
- the freezer is fine but the fridge section is warm (see Samsung fridge not cooling but freezer works)
- frost or ice building up in the freezer (see freezer icing up)
- the fridge runs non-stop, or the back or sides feel hot
- food freezes even on a middle setting
Common causes are dirty condenser coils, a weak door gasket, a blocked vent between the freezer and fridge, a failed fan, a defrost problem or a faulty sensor. See refrigerator not cooling properly for the checks you can do yourself, and how to make your fridge more efficient for coil cleaning.
During a power outage
Keep the doors closed. Health Canada says an unopened fridge keeps food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer stays frozen for about 48 hours, and a half-full one for about 24 hours. Check the thermometer before you trust the food.
When to call us
If your fridge will not hold 4°C on a normal setting, it is a repair, not a setting. We come out same-day across the GTA, York Region and Simcoe County. The $89 visit is credited to the repair when you approve it, and every repair has a written 90-day warranty on parts and labour. See our fridge repair service and the refrigerator repair cost guide.
Call 647-834-4646 or book online.
Fridge temperature: quick answers
What temperature should a fridge be in Celsius?
4°C or colder. Most fridges work well between 2°C and 4°C. The freezer should be -18°C or colder.
Is 5°C too warm for a fridge?
Yes, it is slightly too warm. Health Canada advises 4°C or lower. At 5°C, bacteria grow faster and food spoils sooner. Turn it one step colder and check again the next day.
What number should my fridge be on, 1 to 5?
Start in the middle, at 3. On most dials a higher number is colder. Check with a thermometer and adjust one step at a time.
Is 7 high or low on a fridge dial?
On most 1-7 dials, 7 is the coldest setting. A few models run the other way, so check the label inside the fridge. Most fridges hold 4°C somewhere in the middle of the dial.
What temperature should a freezer be?
-18°C (0°F) or colder.
How long does a fridge take to get cold after I change the setting?
Several hours. GE suggests waiting about 24 hours before you judge a new setting. A new fridge also needs about a day to reach temperature before you fill it.
Does the right fridge temperature change in summer?
No. The target stays 4°C or colder all year. When the room temperature is high, in a hot kitchen or garage, the fridge works harder, so check the thermometer more often.
What our customers say
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Fixed my KitchenAid oven very fast. Great guys both Zack and George. If anything breaks in my kitchen I will call them back.
Zack was incredibly helpful and very fast to replace our refrigerator light! The refrigerator design makes it very difficult to replace but Zack was patient and thorough to get it done! Thank you so much!
Very friendly and quick service on my Hisense freezer, thanks Zack and George
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Vlad was my tech he spotted the problem right away and fixed it very quickly very highy recommend Vlad for repairs
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Very pleased and satisfied with the repair on my Jennair Double Wall Oven. Communication was excellent from beginning to end of Service. Highly recommend Appliance Forever for all Appliance repairs.
My oven had a problem, but Applianceforever quickly fixed it. Great customer service!
Zack was prompt, efficient, and replaced lights in our fridge. He checked that we were satisfied before he left. He tidied up and took all garbage and packaging.with him. I would recommend his service.
Zack was very friendly
George and Zack are reliable and great. They come and don’t leave until the problem is fixed. Great service.
George and Zack are fantastic fixed my issue
FANTASTIC!! These guys deserve more than 5 stars. A great experience from start to finish.
