What is the best temperature for a deep freezer?

What is the most appropriate temperature for a deep freezer? Home freezers are essential for preserving food for long periods without altering its taste, odor, or spoilage. However, setting them to inappropriate temperatures can lead to food spoilage.

Also, improper handling of the device leads to spoilage of frozen foods over time, so we must be fully aware of the appropriate temperatures for setting the freezer.

We also know the factors that cause temperature changes in the freezer so that we can keep food inside the freezer for long periods and in good condition.

The most suitable temperature for the deep freezer

The appropriate temperature for freezing food without spoiling it is 18 degrees Celsius or 18 degrees Fahrenheit, taking into account the freezing time. These temperatures are suitable if the freezer is filled to approximately 70 or 80 % of its capacity.

It should also not be empty, as filling the freezer to the brim will block the vents that distribute air inside the freezer, which prevents proper air distribution and may lead to increased temperatures and food spoilage.
So if the freezer is full of food, the temperature should be reduced by about two degrees to 19 to 20 degrees Celsius.

Is 18°C the right temperature for freezing food?

It is known that low temperatures slow down the reactions of microorganisms found in foods and reduce their spread.

Many food and vegetable storage experts have found that at temperatures between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius in the freezer, the activity of bacteria inside fruits and vegetables is reduced by about two to three times.

This can help preserve food's quality for longer, while also preserving its nutritional value and flavor. Therefore, the International Institute of Refrigeration recommends that freezer temperatures not fall below 18°C.

How to adjust the temperature in the freezer

The temperature setting method may vary from one appliance to another depending on the type, as some have a handle and others have buttons. Therefore, you should always follow the instruction booklet that comes with the appliance.

If you are someone who frequently opens the freezer, you should lower the temperature during this period and then return it to the original temperature, especially in the summer.

How to know the appropriate temperatures for the deep freezer

We mentioned in the previous lines the method of adjusting the deep freezer and that it varies from one type to another. Some devices are adjusted through dials that have numbered temperatures, while others are adjusted through the buttons on them. There are devices that contain ranges with arrows indicating down or up so that the freezer can be adjusted using them.

You must press the button with the arrows pointing up to increase the temperature or press the button with the arrow pointing down if you want to decrease the temperature.
Temperature control units may be located on the side of the freezer or in the front of it, and this also varies depending on the type of freezer.
To ensure that the device is set to the appropriate temperature, you must follow the following steps:

1. Set the freezer to the temperature specified in the manual that comes with the appliance and then leave the appliance running for 24 hours.
2. After that time has passed, you can return to the freezer and check the number of marks that indicate whether the set temperature is appropriate or not.

Signs that your freezer is the right temperature

You can identify the signs that indicate the appropriate cold temperatures for your freezer by asking these questions and answering them.

Are there any signs that indicate moisture in the freezer? Is there frost in the freezer?
If there are signs of moisture, this is an indication that the temperature set to the freezer is not suitable and needs to be adjusted again.
But if there is frost in the freezer, this indicates that the temperature is low and also not suitable and that the freezer that can get rid of this coldness, and in this case the freezer needs to be reset.
In addition, if frost accumulates near the freezer door or the rubber seal around the freezer door, this causes hot air from outside to leak into the freezer.
But if frost spreads all over the freezer, this indicates that the freezer door has been left open for a long time.

Does low freezer temperature cause food to spoil?

Many people believe that extremely cold temperatures cause frozen foods to spoil, but in reality, extreme cold does not spoil food, as most people believe. Quite the opposite.

Because the colder the freezer, the longer the frozen food will be preserved. However, freezer burn is caused by several reasons, such as the loss of moisture in frozen food. Evaporation of air causes the food to dry out and become very dry, in addition to changes in color.
Also the temperature changes.
Air entering frozen foods.
Freezing hot foods and storing food for long periods in the freezer.

What are the mistakes that cause the freezer temperature to change?

Sudden changes in freezer temperatures can cause bacteria to grow in frozen food, spoil it, or cause it to thaw. Therefore, temperatures should be monitored from time to time to ensure they are appropriate and stable.

Taking care of the temperature does not only mean adjusting it appropriately, but it also indicates the preservation of frozen foods, because any damage to it leads to the spoilage and corruption of the food. The mistakes that lead to changes in the temperature in the freezer are represented by the following:

Cleaning the freezer incorrectly: When cleaning the freezer, several things must be taken into account, such as disconnecting it from the electricity because cleaning should not be done while it is connected to the power, removing the ice and preferably leaving it to melt on its own, disconnecting the device and cleaning it continuously so that ice does not accumulate in it, avoiding using any sharp tools to clean the inner layer, avoiding using hot water and avoiding rough wire when cleaning, and the freezer must be dried well after cleaning it.
Opening the door: Make sure the freezer door is properly closed because leaving it open causes food to lose temperature, affecting its shelf life and spoiling it. You should also avoid opening the freezer door during a power outage. Do not open the freezer door for long periods and do not stand in front of it because this causes the freezer to lose cold air, affecting its temperature and causing it to start cooling again.
Overcrowding the freezer or leaving it empty: Overcrowding prevents air circulation, which can lead to spoilage of the food in the freezer. Leaving it empty can cause problems with the refrigeration process.
Placing hot foods in the freezer: This can cause the temperature of the freezer to change and alter the taste of certain foods. Therefore, you should allow the food to cool completely before placing it in the freezer.