Learning how your freezer works and how to fix issues that may arise is the best way to keep it in good working order. One of the issues that people often complain about is that their freezer is not cold enough. You may be wondering if there are ways to make it colder.
While there are many ways to make a freezer colder, the simplest is to turn the temperature dial to a lower setting. Most freezers come equipped with a recommended setting, however, if your freezer is not cold enough for your needs, changing the settings could help remedy the problem.
Although there could be many reasons why your freezer is not getting as cold as you think it should, it is important to discover if there is something wrong with it before you make adjustments. Read on and learn more about ways to make your freezer colder and when to know if it is cold enough.
How To Make Your Freezer Colder
Making your freezer colder can be as simple as either changing the temperature setting or a little more complicated such as checking airflow and circulation. The best way to make your freezer reach the temperature you desire is to go through a checklist of troubleshooting steps to discover what works for your unit.
- Vacuum coils on the back of the unit. Over time a freezer collects debris and dirt in the coils at the back of the unit. Pulling the freezer out and vacuuming it periodically can prevent this build-up from becoming a problem. If your freezer is not getting cold enough, simply take the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner and remove any dust.
- Clear frost buildup. At times, when air is not circulating properly, frost can build up either on the freezer coils or even on the walls of the freezer itself. Clearing the frost can be as simple as defrosting the unit. It is important to ensure that you are using the recommended instructions based on the manufacturer of your freezer.
- Check airflow around the unit. Keep in mind that a freezer not only needs airflow inside but also outside the unit. Checking to ensure your freezer has sufficient space around the unit can make a difference in how it functions. There should be space around all sides of the freezer for it to get sufficient airflow.
- Ensure there is no blockage preventing air circulation. Many times, people try to be efficient by buying a lot of food at one time. This can result in overstacking your freezer. When this occurs, the freezer cannot circulate enough air to keep everything at an even temperature. Making sure your freezer is not stacked full can help ensure that your freezer stays cold.
- Check the seals around the door. If your freezer door is not sealed properly, it can cause the freezer’s temperature to drop dramatically. If this happens, you may need to either replace the seals or get a professional to replace them.
- Turn the dial to a lower temperature. After you have ensured that the issue is not a part of a bigger problem, you may try to turn the dial of your freezer to a lower temperature. It is recommended that you check the owner’s manual before doing this to ensure proper operation.
What Number Should My Freezer Dial Be Set At?
The number a freezer dial should be set on can vary depending on the type of unit, however, most experts recommend that the temperature be 0℉ (-18℃). Using a freezer thermometer is the best way to find the appropriate dial number to reach this temperature.
It is important to keep in mind that the goal of storing food in a freezer is to ensure that it is preserved in a way that makes it safe for eating at a later date. The colder the temperature is the better the preservation of the food will be.
The process to find the perfect dial setting is to do a little experimentation with the dial and the freezer thermometer. Note that this may take a few days to discover since the setting on the freezer needs 24 hours to get to the desired temperature.
Start by putting the thermometer inside the freezer and then setting the temperature to the highest setting, which is the coldest temperature. Then, you will need to let the temperature adjust over the next 24 hours. You will then continue the process until the desired temperature is reached.
Once you have verified the temperature is 0℉, you may want to make a note of what number on the dial it translates to. This will keep you from having to go through the process again. Some people suggest that you can even make a mark inside your freezer with a marker.
Many people choose to keep the freezer thermometer inside the unit at all times just to ensure that it is functioning properly. If you notice any fluctuations in the temperature, you may want to go through some of the above-mentioned procedures to make sure you do not have a problem.
Overall, the number on your freezer dial can be different depending on the manufacturer’s settings. However, if you adjust the dial based on a freezer thermometer and recommended temperatures, your unit will always be set to the correct settings.
How Do I Know If My Freezer is Cold Enough?
Knowing if a freezer is cold enough depends on a variety of factors including the internal temperature of the unit as well as whether the food is staying frozen. Keeping the freezer set to the coldest temperature is one way to ensure that it stays cold.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends that the temperature in a refrigerator stay at or below 40℉ and the freezer should be 0℉. This is because food outside of these temperatures can deteriorate and therefore cause food poisoning.
Many people typically accept the settings of their freezer as it comes, giving little thought to whether it is at the appropriate temperature. This is until there is a problem such as their ice cream is suddenly melted or meat is no longer frozen.
Keeping an eye on the temperature of the freezer is a great way to prevent problems from getting out of hand. This is why it is important to do frequent checks and maintenance on your unit.
This can be done by keeping a check on the freezer thermometer to make sure it is maintaining the correct temperature. Additionally, just as you would get service checks on your car, you may want to consider doing the same with your freezer. Some of these checks you can do yourself to save time and money.
At the end of the day, you will know if your freezer is cold enough if you take notice of what it feels like when it is functioning properly.
Does Outside Temperature Affect the Freezer?
A freezer is typically designed to be in temperatures that are maintained between 60℉ and 95℉. When the levels rise above or fall below these temperatures the freezer fails to function properly.
Whether you store your freezer inside your home, in your garage, or outside on a porch, there are several factors that you need to consider. Temperatures that go to the extreme can cause irreparable damage to the freezer components.
In most cases, when the temperature in the environment around the freezer dips below the 60℉ mark, the compressor begins to slow down. If the temperature continues to drop, the compressor will eventually stop working which will result in food spoilage.
Keeping your home at moderate temperatures can keep your freezer working properly and help you to avoid maintenance issues with the unit. Additionally, it can save you time and money in food replacement.
Experts recommend that freezers should not be placed in an unheated setting such as a garage to ensure proper functioning. Before you choose to, you should be aware of what the average temperatures are where you live.
Altogether, there are many ways you can ensure that your freezer stays colder. Some of these methods require little on your part to perform but can keep your unit functioning for a long time to come. Keep in mind that regular maintenance and checkups are the best way to ensure your freezer is staying as cold as you need it to be.