A red refrigerator in a white kitchen.
The Proper Temperature You Should Be Keeping Your Fridge At

NEWS

By CHLOE O'DONNELL
A fully stocked and open refrigerator.
Refrigerators are an essential component of any kitchen, as they safeguard perishable foods from bacteria. However, the appliance must maintain the correct temperature.
A person grabbing something from inside a refrigerator.
If your refrigerator’s internal temperature is too high, it can foster the growth of bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, in food and lead to serious health issues.
A person opening a refrigerator door.
A refrigerator that’s too cold can compromise the quality of your food. The Food and Drug Administration recommends keeping refrigerators at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
A dial thermometer inside a refrigerator.
Setting the temperature between 35 and 38 degrees creates a buffer zone, reducing the risk of the temperature exceeding 40 degrees, especially in the case of a faulty thermometer.
Freezer-burnt food.
The FDA suggests maintaining the freezer’s temperature at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Any warmer and your food may not freeze all the way through; any cooler and you’ll get freezer burn.