You’re using the fridge wrong and it’s spoiling your food much faster
We all have fridges in our kitchens. They keep food cold, which, in most cases, helps it last longer than leaving it out on the kitchen counter. Everything from fruit and veg to milk and leftovers from dinner the night before can be stored in the fridge, and it’s one of the appliances we rely on the most.
But did you know you could be using your fridge entirely the wrong way? According to an expert on TikTok, most of us ignore one key part of the appliance that is vital for it to run properly. This leads to food spoiling faster than it should and potential damage to the way the fridge works.
All fridges have a little dial inside with numbered sections, usually from one to five. But do you know what that dial is used for? Most of us ignore it completely, which could harm our food and our electricity bills.
According to the expert, this dial actually controls the fridge’s temperature by dictating how long the appliance’s compressor runs. Having it on a low setting at the wrong time could cause food to spoil faster, while having it too high can cause ice build-up.
He said: “99% of people use their refrigerator the wrong way. Because of this, food spoils faster, puddles form inside, and the fridge gets covered in ice.
“It’s all because of this little dial. Most people don’t even know what it’s for; they just twist it randomly, sometimes to two, sometimes to five. It doesn’t control the cold; it actually controls how long the compressor runs for.
“If you set it wrong, you get moisture, mould, ice build-up, and even a higher electricity bill.”
The dial on your fridge should be adjusted by season and by how much food you have in it. In the summer, when more warm air rushes into your fridge when you open the door, you should have the dial set to a higher number, like 4 or 5. But during colder winter months, you can conserve energy by setting it to 2.
Maggie’s Oven Services states: “If you’re always storing plenty of food, you need the colder settings (3 to 4). If you’re not storing as much, choose between 2 and 3.
“If the temperature is very low, ice will form, and it may prevent air circulation. Ice could also cause the fridge’s inner thermostat to malfunction. This may lead to electronic failure. If ice accumulates, knock it off, lower the temperature and bear in mind that the change will take place in at least eight hours.”
How to properly control the temperature of your fridge
1. Understand the Dial
- Most fridge dials are numbered, and higher numbers mean colder temperatures. Check your fridge manual to be sure, but this is standard.
- Some dials may say ‘Colder’ or ‘Warmer’ instead of numbers.
2. Set the Initial Temperature
- The ideal fridge temperature is 3–4°C (37–40°F).
- Start with the middle setting (e.g., 3 on a 1–5 dial or 4 on a 1–7 dial).
3. Check the Temperature
- Use a fridge thermometer to check the actual temperature.
- Place the thermometer in the centre of the fridge, not the door.
4. Adjust as Needed
- If the temperature is above 4°C (40°F ), turn the dial to a higher number (colder).
- If it’s below 3°C (37°F ), turn the dial to a lower number (warmer).
- Wait 24 hours between adjustments for the temperature to stabilise.
5. Other Tips
- Don’t overload your fridge; air needs to circulate.
- Keep the door closed as much as possible.
- Clean the coils and check the door seal for efficiency.
