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Refrigerator and freezer thermometers are
specially designed to measure cold temperatures. It is crucial to verify
the temperature of refrigerators and freezers to ensure food safety.
Temperatures in refrigerator should not exceed 40 degrees F. As for
freezer, frozen food will keep its top quality for the longest possible
time when the temperature is at 0 degrees F.
Most refrigerators and freezers will have a
feature to easily adjust for required temperatures. This temperature
control will usually be found and accessible in the refrigerator. You
can check the owner's manual for the specific details on how to adjust
the temperature. When changing the temperature, an adjustment period is
often required.
To measure the temperature in the
refrigerator, put the thermometer in a glass of water and place it in
the middle of the refrigerator. Leave it for 5 to 8 hours. If the
temperature is not 38 to 40 degrees F, adjust the refrigerator
temperature and check again after 5 to 8 hours.
When measuring the freezer temperature,
place the thermometer between frozen food packages. Then wait for 5 to 8
hours. If the temperature is not at 0 to 2 degrees F, adjust the freezer
temperature control and check again after 5 to 8 hours.
An
appliance thermometer can also be kept in the refrigerator and
freezer for continuous monitoring of the temperature at all time. This
is crucial especially in the event of a power outage. If the
refrigerator is still 40 degrees F and the freezer is at 0 degree F or
below when the power resumes, then the food is safe.
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