How-To Guides · Kitchen
The Right Fridge and Freezer Temperatures (and 5 Storage Tips)
Is your fridge actually cold enough? You can't tell by feel. Here are the right temperatures, and five simple storage tips, from the FDA.
1. The Numbers
Keep your refrigerator at forty degrees Fahrenheit or colder. And your freezer at zero degrees.
2. Check With A Thermometer
According to the FDA, an appliance thermometer is the best way to know the temperature. Put one inside, and check it now and then.
3. Tip 1: Don'T Overpack
Don't cram it full. Cold air needs room to move around the food.
4. Tip 2: Cover It
Keep food in covered containers or sealed bags, and keep raw meat away from ready to eat food.
5. Tip 3: Eggs In The Carton
Keep eggs in their carton, on a shelf. Not in the door.
6. Tip 4: Use-By Dates
A use by date is usually about quality, not safety. Baby formula is the exception. Always use it by the date.
7. Tip 5: Freezer Quality
Food stays safe in the freezer at zero degrees, but the quality drops the longer it's in there. And get leftovers into the fridge within two hours.
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Sources
Checked against the official sources above. Steps can change as apps update - tell us if something looks different: wischavenindustries@gmail.com