Understanding the proper temperature settings for your refrigerator is essential knowledge for a food-service business with a walk-in cooler, reach-in refrigerator, merchandiser, refrigerated prep station, etc.
Keeping perishables stored properly will maintain the quality of the food and protect customers from undetectable pathogenic bacteria, such as E. Coli or Salmonella.
Bacteria grows most rapidly in what is called the “danger zone” which is between 40° F and 140° F. Ensuring your food items are kept below that temperature range throughout each phase of handling to final preparation is vital to food-safety.
The FDA mandates that refrigerators should be set at or below 40° Fahrenheit.
It is also important to keep in mind that when refrigerator temperatures dip below 36° Fahrenheit it can cause freezing in certain foods which results in poor quality in taste, texture, or appearance. Meanwhile, anything above 40° F will promote the growth of microorganisms. This makes 38° F an ideal temperature for safely storing perishables.
Ideal Refrigeration Temperature: 38° F
With commercial refrigeration units ranging widely in size/configurations and items being stored in each one, it can be difficult to know if the temperatures are stable throughout the unit. Most commercial refrigerators do come with a thermometer, but they are often located close to the equipment door. This means that temperature readings can fluctuate significantly during high usage times. This ultimately can lead to a poor understanding of your refrigeration’s operating performance. It is important to monitor it closely and take all of these factors into consideration.
Recommended Food-Safety Best Practice:
Consistently check and record temperatures periodically throughout the day. This can be done manually with a temperature log chart/spreadsheet. We also offer automated refrigerator monitoring solutions that notifies you of prolonged door openings or extreme temperature fluctuations via SMS alert or email and can track your refrigerator’s temperatures 24/7, saving you time, energy costs, and potential product loss.
