The kitchen is the heart of the home, and arguably the most important appliance in your kitchen is your fridge or freezer. We all want to keep our food fresh for longer, and we rely on our trusty refrigeration appliances to take care of that for us. To keep food fresh, tasting better, and safer, it is vital to use the right freezer temperature and refrigerator temperature.

The ideal freezer temperature is -18°C. Storing your food at the correct temperature will keep your produce fresh, delicious, and most importantly, safe. If the freezer temperature is too warm, then your food may spoil quicker and harmful bacteria may start to grow. If your fridge freezer temperature is too cold, it uses more energy, which is less environmentally friendly and can increase the cost of your energy bill. Additionally, freezer burn can occur on your food, ice crystals can form, and the lack of moisture can impact the taste and texture of your food. 

The ideal fridge temperature is between 0.5°C - 5°C and the best way to keep an eye on your refrigerator temperature is with a non-mercury thermometer in the middle of the fridge. From keeping your fruits and veggies crisp and your leftovers safe, preserving the ideal fridge temperature is key to keeping your appliance smelling fresh and reducing food waste too. Fridge freezers with Hotpoint’s ActiveOxygen technology remove up to 99%* of bacteria and viruses from your fridge. It also removes bad odours too, so no matter what you’re storing in your appliance, it will remain smelling fresh. .

If your fridge is too warm, your food will start to go off, smell bad, or even produce mould. This can happen if the fridge temperature control is not cold enough, if the door is left open accidentally, or if there is an issue with a broken seal or clogged vent. To help cool air circulate properly around the fridge, do not overfill it, or block the air vents. If the fridge is too cold, it uses more energy, and your food can even begin to freeze. To keep your food fresh and your energy bill down, regularly check that your fridge or fridge freezer is running at the recommended temperature.

What number should your fridge be on? The fridge temperature control does not indicate a specific temperature in degrees but rather the cooling power of the appliance. Fridge temperature settings are generally numbered from 1 to 5, with 5 being the coldest. A fully stocked fridge may need to be set to a higher setting (around 3 or 4), whereas one with more space is best suited to temperature setting 2 or 3. Hotpoint fridges and fridge freezers have a thermostat inside to allow you to adjust the fridge temperature control and keep an eye on the cooling power of your appliance.

Food should be stored in a certain way to ensure your fridge or freezer is running efficiently and that the cooling technology can do its job. Not only will this ensure that your fridge or fridge freezer stays at the correct temperature to preserve your food, but it will also help to reduce food waste. 

Different areas of the fridge have different temperatures, following the general rule that heat rises. Meat and fish should be stored towards the bottom of your fridge where it is coolest, tightly wrapped or covered to prevent any contamination of food on shelves below. Cheese, milk, and similar products should be stored towards the middle and top shelves of the fridge. The door has the warmest refrigerator temperature as it is constantly opened and exposed to room temperature air, so rather than storing dairy that may spoil in the door, reserve the space for less perishable items like condiments. 

From batch-cooked meals to quick and easy family favourites, our freezers can take care of our food for many months when used at the proper temperature. Correct freezer storage will help your groceries maintain freshness and flavour and keep them safe and free from freezer burns.

Food should be frozen by the use-by date and within two hours of cooking or opening. Defrosted food should never be refrozen as bacteria that were halted when frozen will have already started to regrow once thawed. To avoid this, package your leftovers in reasonable portion sizes, and make sure food is properly sealed so it doesn’t get freezer burn. Regularly defrost your freezer or choose a freezer with Total No Frost technology, which prevents the formation of ice, removing the need to ever have to defrost it.

Fresh food and tasty meals all rely on ingredients that have been stored in the correct environment. It is important to use appropriate freezer and fridge temperature settings to protect your family. Having your food at the ideal freezer or refrigerator temperature will give you peace of mind. For over 110 years, Hotpoint has been creating appliances and thoughtful home solutions for your family; our fridges and freezers are packed with clever  technology that ensures your food stays fresh for longer, helping you to prevent food waste.