Ideal Temperature

• Most refrigerator manufacturers ship appliances preset to 37 Fahrenheit or 3 Celsius, a safe food storage temperature. A few degrees either side of this setting is perfectly safe for fresh food storage. Keep your refrigerator above 32 Fahrenheit to avoid ice buildup. Do not set your appliance above 40 Fahrenheit.
  
  

Making Adjustments

• Modern refrigerators with digital thermostats let you increase or decrease the temperature using arrow buttons on the control panel or by pressing the "Fridge Temp" button. Older models have a dial marked with numbers or letters that indicate the various levels of cooling available. Consider purchasing a refrigerator thermometer from your local hardware store to help you accurately set your dial-controlled refrigerator. High numbers or letters correspond to a higher level of cooling and lower temperatures.
  
  

Maintaining the Ideal Temperature

• Leaving the refrigerator door open for long periods and storing hot containers raises the internal temperature of the refrigerator and causes the motor to work harder. Make sure that the refrigerator is installed in a suitable location, allowing at least an inch of room on all sides for air to circulate. Your model might have vents inside the refrigerator compartment that must not be blocked; check your manual for the ideal food storage layout.
  
  

Fluctations

• The temperature inside your refrigerator may rise slightly during periods of humid weather or when the appliance is running a defrost cycle. You may hear sizzling and hissing when the defrost heater melts ice off the coils. The temperature should stabilize soon after the defrost cycle ends.