Where Is The Best Place To Put A Thermometer In A Fridge?
Fridge thermometers are affordable and easy to deploy instruments, which can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness while keeping food fresher for longer (win-win!). Fridge thermometers are valuable sensors in any fridge that stores food or beverages. The health, safety, quality, and financial benefits mean these devices should be considered for the home, and not exclusively for businesses or workplaces.
If you already have a fridge thermometer or searching for one to buy, but you are unsure of where to install it, read on to find out the ideal spot to ensure correct fridge temperature measurements, and a healthier fridge environment.
Why use a Fridge Thermometer?
Fridge thermometers are small, easy-to-use, and cost-effective devices that help monitor the temperature of a fridge or freezer when in use. They are an essential tool for any business that stores food items and incredibly valuable in the home or work fridge to aid in managing a fridge's performance. Two reasons why monitoring fridge temperature is essential:
- Foodborne Illness. Less than 5°C and more than 60°C is the safe temperature zone for food. Food stored between 5°C and 60°C can allow food poisoning bacteria, which may be present in food, to multiply to dangerous levels.
- Food spoilage. If not appropriately chilled, dairy products, meats, fruits, and vegetables will spoil at a faster rate than they would if stored at the correct temperature.
Unfortunately, refrigeration temperatures are not 'set and forget.' Temperature variations can occur for several reasons;
- The cooling mechanism and design of the fridge: There will be cooler and warmer areas within the unit. Typically, the warmest areas within a refrigerator are the doors and the top shelf. The back wall and bottom shelves are generally cooler.
- Capacity: Overcrowding a fridge or freezer will reduce airflow through the unit. Cool air will not be able to get where it needs to go, and this will impact the fridge's ability to keep your food cold.
- Traffic. Temperature fluctuations occur as doors are opened and closed.
- External Temperature. Warmer and colder months of the year will impact the temperature within your refrigerator.
Where to place a Fridge thermometer
To get an accurate overall representation of the internal average temperature of your refrigerator, Instrument Choice Scientists recommend you take measurements just below the top shelf, in the middle of the shelf, or closer to the door.
If your fridge's temperature is reading a couple of degrees warmer than it should be, you may need to reduce the temperature setting. If it's significantly cooler, you may want to increase it.
Conclusion
A fridge thermometer is an affordable and valuable piece of equipment suited to any fridge or freezer that stores food in a commercial environment, in a workplace or a home. By keeping your refrigerator or freezer at an ideal temperature, the risk of foodborne illness reduces, and food will keep fresher for longer.
Browse the full range of Fridge Thermometers here or checkout out The Top 5 Fridge-Freezer Thermometers for your home!
Want more information on fridge thermometers? Need a hand finding the best place to mount your fridge thermometer? Contact one of the Instrument Choice Scientists. We're here to help! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].
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