What is the optimum temperature in the refrigerator?

Preservation of food products is an important component for all people who are concerned about their health. And the effect of temperature inside the refrigerator on this or that group of products can directly affect the overall well-being.

To this day, specialists in the field of household development do not have a specific figure, which indicates an acceptable temperature regime for food storage.

And all because the optimum temperature in the refrigerator is the individual value for each manufacturer and the norm.

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 have made a lot of efforts to eventually get the device from the category of the first necessity, which meets all the requirements and is as simple as possible in circulation.

It's no secret that even in Soviet times, the refrigerator was a simple box with a minimum of functions. Now it is an advanced technology that can independently defrost, "rest" 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, which can be very useful in everyday life.

General characteristics

Agree, the optimal temperature in the refrigerator is quite difficult and sometimes even ridiculous for the perception of the issue, it is inappropriate to talk about it, if you do not know the basic characteristics of the unit. It's like discussing the aroma of a rose, absolutely not imagining what it looks like. Most often, refrigerators are classified by type.

Refrigerators with freezer

These are standard models that can be found in almost every home.

Refrigerators without freezer

Such devices are distinguished by compact dimensions, and the correct temperature in a refrigerator of this type does not exceed 14 degrees, but does not fall below 2. As a rule, these are "mobile" models for various kinds of short visits. For example, on nature or business trip to a neighboring city.

In addition to the two most common, there is another type.

Refrigerator with wine cabinet

This model, which in addition to the usual freezer (and even completely instead of it) suggests the presence of a compartment (cupboard) for storing wine.

How to know the temperature in the refrigerator

There is nothing shameful if you have bought or have been using the unit for a long time, but do not know how to determine the temperature in the refrigerator. Low temperature or high? The eternal question of housewives.

The simplest way is to buy a refrigerator with a built-in thermometer that will independently and accurately measure it.

But what if there is no opportunity to purchase such a model, and adherence to strict temperature standards is a matter of special importance? Do not panic. To solve the problem, it is enough just to install a special thermometer, which is easy to find in any specialized home store and attach it to one of the walls inside.

Plus to minus

It is considered 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 level. However, this is not quite true.

Minus temperature is the best option for a freezer, which stores meat, poultry and various kinds of semi-finished products.

But for the standard storage compartments, the highest temperature in the refrigerator is most preferable. When it is observed, the products are not frozen, but stored, saving valuable properties and vitamins.

What is the temperature in the refrigerator?

The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a refrigerator with a freezer is at its minimum temperature.

Remember the "ancient" refrigerators in the house of my grandparents. Their distinguishing feature were snowflakes, located on the side panel. We knew that one snowflake is 6˚, and if you add up their total, you could easily calculate the temperature in the refrigerator and freezers. The same principle has survived to the present day.

Each modern refrigerator is equipped with an indicator in the form of stars on the front panel. 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 cooling degree below -21.

Temperature standards according to GOST

According to the state standard Р 52307-2005 from 01.07.2005 (item 3.5), the temperature in a domestic 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 not more than 32˚ - from 1˚ to 5.

The temperature of air 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 not more than 32˚ - from 1 degree to 5.

And the shelf life of products under similar conditions should not be more than two days.

Standards of deviation from actual characteristics

Caught in an unpleasant situation caused by a defective refrigerator, every sensible person seeks to "carry" him to repair as soon as possible.

It is there that disputes arise on the basis of the difference in the actual characteristics that are prescribed in the owner's instructions, with real GOST.

It should be remembered that the ideal temperature in the refrigerator should be measured in a fixed position at three different points, with a relative air humidity of not more than 75% and not less than 45%, with a simultaneous ambient temperature of 20 ° with an insignificant deviation of ± 5 °.

"Zone of freshness"

"Freshness Zone" refers to one of the latest technological developments in the field of refrigeration 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 loss of important flavor and beneficial qualities of this or that ingredient.

In other words, the "freshness zone" is the normal temperature in the refrigerator, which is kept constant.

The "freshness zone" is of two kinds, 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 a humidity of 55% and 95% for fish and vegetables, respectively.
• Usual pull-out unsealed drawer.

Temperature for different types of products

The temperature in the refrigerator should be Observed in accordance with the type of each individual product:

• Eggs are stored at t˚ from +2 to + 4˚ for not 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˚ is not higher than -18.

If you are not sure whether a particular product meets a particular category and at what temperature it should be stored, you should refer to the instructions that are on the manufacturer's packaging.

What can not be stored in the refrigerator

Products that are especially susceptible to a "cold" environment include coffee, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic and spicy sauces.

In the end, we should add that the optimal temperature in the refrigerator is an important point for every housewife or single man.

Before using the device directly after purchase and installation it is important to pay special attention to the technical characteristics that are prescribed from "A" to "I" in the manufacturer's instructions. This will not only avoid undesirable problems and breakdowns in the future, but also relieve a number of related issues.