The fridge freezer wins the award for the hardest-working kitchen appliance. And if your fridge is working at its best it means it’ll use less energy and there will be much less food waste too. But what do you need to give your fridge a much-needed MOT? Here's our super cool fridge freezer guide with answers to all your questions...
What is the correct fridge temperature?
The ideal fridge temperature is between 37°F (3°C) and 40°F (5°C). And your freezer temperature should be at 0°F (-18°C).
But before you touch those dials, just be aware that it takes 24 hours for your fridge to adjust to any changes you make.
How to take your fridge’s temperature
If you want to check how cold your fridge freezer is and you don't have a temperature readout, the easiest way is to use a good old-fashioned thermometer:
Fridge:
Place a thermometer in a glass of water
Leave in the fridge overnight
Check the temperature the first time you open the door
Freezer:
Place the thermometer between bags of frozen vegetables
Leave for about 8 hours or overnight
Check the temperature reading
Common fridge temperature problems
Do you need a new fridge freezer? Or does your old one simply require a little TLC? Telling the difference can be hard. Look out for these signs:
My fridge is warm
Your fridge is freezing food on lowest setting
Your food is warm when you take it out of the fridge
Ice is forming in the back of your fridge
Ice is melting in the freezer and puddling on the floor
Your food keeps going off before its expiry date
There’s condensation on the inside or outside of the fridge
What should I do next?
Just because your fridge freezer is having trouble, it doesn’t mean getting rid of it. Try these troubleshooting tips to help cure some common fridge problems:
Make sure the thermostat is on the right setting – it’s easy to adjust it by accident when you’re loading up your fridge
Double check that the plug, electrical socket and fuse box are all working properly
If you can’t hear a soft humming, or it’s more of a loud vibration, the compressor fan may need replacing
Clear the areas around the fridge so fans aren’t blocked
Give your freezer a thorough defrosting to remove any excess ice
Do you have a frost-free freezer?
Frost-free freezers circulate cool air to stop ice building up. If yours doesn’t seem up to the job anymore, there’s likely an issue with the compressor pump. These look like round, black ‘tanks’ and are usually found at the back of your freezer.
If your compressor pump is working properly, it should be warm to the touch and very gently vibrating. If it’s really hot, stone cold, or not vibrating, it could have stopped working – you might need a repair.
Time for a new fridge freezer?
There are plenty of different types of fridge freezers to suit all budgets, kitchens and family sizes. And you don’t have to worry about how to hook it up either - we can take care of installation.
Basic fridge freezer
Gets you up and running without breaking the bank
Keeps bills down with good energy-efficiency
Has enough space for a couple’s average weekly shop
Built-in fridge freezer
Fits unobtrusively into your kitchen’s look
As wide as your standard kitchen cupboards
Slightly more expensive
Tall free-standing fridge freezer
Plenty of space for a weekly shop for a family of 4
Can be put anywhere in your kitchen
Added features like frost-free and fast-freeze
American-style fridge freezer
Sleek, modern designs
Huge amount of space
Top cooling tech and added features like ice dispensers
Not sure what fridge freezer you should buy? Our Refrigeration buying guide is a good place to start.
How can I keep my fridge working great?
Keep your fridge in tip-top condition with one of our 2,3 or 5-year insurance plans. We’ve got a 14-day fix promise with all parts, labour and call out charges covered – plus a full valet of your fridge freezer every year.
Find out more about our Tech Insurance plans.
