For food safety, keep your refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below and your freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below. A practical refrigerator set point is 37°F, which Whirlpool recommends for its refrigerators; the food-safety limit is a maximum, not the ideal target for every appliance. Check actual temperatures with an appliance thermometer in each compartment.
Recommended refrigerator and freezer temperatures
| Compartment | Food-safety limit | Suggested starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 40°F (4°C) or below, according to FoodSafety.gov (guidance last reviewed September 18, 2023) | 37°F, Whirlpool’s general recommendation for its refrigerators; check your model’s manual |
| Freezer | 0°F (-18°C) or below, according to FoodSafety.gov (guidance last reviewed September 18, 2023) | 0°F, also Whirlpool’s general recommendation for its refrigerators’ freezer compartment |
FoodSafety.gov says bacteria that cause food poisoning multiply quickest between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C). Keeping the refrigerator at or below 40°F helps keep perishable food cold; 37°F provides a margin below that upper limit. The freezer recommendation is 0°F or colder.
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How to set the controls
- Find the controls. Their location and operation vary by appliance. Use the owner’s manual for your exact model rather than assuming a particular button sequence or dial direction.
- Choose a starting setting. If your appliance allows direct temperature selection, use 37°F for the refrigerator and 0°F for the freezer as starting points. Whirlpool gives these general settings for its refrigerators; the model manual takes precedence.
- Check the actual temperature. A dial number or displayed set point is not a substitute for measuring the temperature in the compartment.
- Adjust gradually if needed. Make a small change, then give the appliance time to settle before checking again. Whirlpool advises changing one increment at a time and waiting at least 24 hours between adjustments on its appliances.
How to check the actual temperature
Use an appliance thermometer in both compartments. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recommends these placements and wait times:
- Refrigerator: Put the thermometer in a glass of water in the middle of the compartment. Wait 5–8 hours before reading it.
- Freezer: Place the thermometer between frozen food packages. Wait 5–8 hours before reading it.
Keep a thermometer in each compartment to help monitor temperatures over time. If a reading is outside the recommended limit, consult the manual, make a small adjustment, and allow the temperature to stabilize before measuring again. Appliance controls do not all work alike: a higher number on one dial may mean colder, while another appliance may display a temperature directly.
#1 Best Overall
- Convenient and practical: Our refrigerator thermometer is suitable for traditional refrigerators, freezers, insulated boxes, etc. It has a large dial with clear blue and red area indication on the surface of the fridge thermometer, making it easier for you to read the temperature.
- Temperature range: Refrigerator thermometer measures refrigerator temperature -20~80 °F/ -30~30 °C, meeting different requirements and requirements. Clear reading scale helps you measure food stored at the right temperature to ensure safety.
- Exquisite design: The refrigerator thermometer uses a hook type panel design, can be hung or placed in different positions, reading instant with the mechanical design, no need for battery power with our freezer thermometer.
- Durable material: Refrigerator thermometer is made of stainless steel material, not easy to break, long life, durable, easy to clean structure and glass protective lens, very suitable for use in the refrigerator and freezer.
- What you get: 2 x PECULA Refrigerator Thermometer and our 7*24 friendly customer service for peace of mind.
What to do during a power outage
If the doors stay closed, FoodSafety.gov says an unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer holds its temperature for approximately 48 hours, or 24 hours if it is half full. These are time estimates, not proof that food is safe; follow FoodSafety.gov’s separate emergency food-safety guidance when deciding what to keep or discard.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Large Screen, Small Size: LCD display, big digits. You can visually observe the temperature, and also won't take too much places.（Tips: Please remove the protective film on the screen surface before use）
- Wide Measuring Range & Accurate: Temperature range is -4°F to 122°F with high accuracy 2°F up/down. Max/Min temperature value display on screen, you can easily monitor the temp change of your fridge.
- Hook, Magnet, Stand: Temperature sensing point is on the back. Hanging inside the refrigerator, the measuring temperature is more accurate.
- New Design Upgrade: Waterproof structure level IPX3, ABS environmentally friendly material. Worked with CR2032 battery(included), batteries can be replaced.
- Multiple uses: Digital refrigerator thermometers can be used in household fridge, restaurants, bars, cafes, large supermarkets and convenience store freezers, pharmacy medicine chests, rooms, wineries, etc.
Rank #4
- Temperature range: -40°to 80°F or -40°to 27°C
- Thermometer material:Plastics + Stainless Steel
- Good quality
- Easy to install
- Cheap
Rank #3
- Measuring range:-20~80℉
- Material type：Stainless steel
- Installation mode：Wide base and integrated hook allow it to be placed anywhere in the refrigerator
- Easy to read
- Great quality
Rank #2
- Measuring range:-20~80℉
- Material type：Stainless steel
- Installation mode：Wide base and integrated hook allow it to be placed anywhere in the refrigerator
- Easy to read
- Please give the thermometer enough reaction time
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