5 tips for using and maintaining your refrigerator – common questions and problems

Using a refrigerator isn't particularly demanding, but there are still some things about how refrigerators work that puzzle people and that many users should know. In this article, we answer five commonly asked questions about refrigerator use and problems.

1. What's the right temperature for a refrigerator?

The recommended temperature for a refrigerator is +4°C or +5°C. At this temperature, food stays fresh without the appliance wasting energy. If the refrigerator is too warm—say, above six degrees—food will spoil faster. If it's too cold, close to zero degrees, some foods may start to freeze.

The ideal temperature for a freezer is -18°C.