Have you ever stopped and considered whether you’re storing freezer produce at the right temperature? Keeping your commercial freezer set at the correct temperature is essential – but exactly what temperature should a freezer be set at? And why is it important that you monitor how cold it is?
Keep reading to find out more from our commercial refrigeration experts!
What is the best temperature for a freezer?
The ideal freezer temperature sits at -18°C. If your kitchen freezer is currently at a lower or higher temperature range than -18°C, your produce won’t stay fresh for long, which will ultimately hurt your business – but we’ll explore more about this later.
Why does the temperature of your commercial freezer matter?
You need to ensure your freezer is operating at the ideal temperature for several key reasons.
Firstly, food-safe freezer temperatures keep perishable food fresher and cooler, preventing bacterial growth. Higher temperatures above -18°C can allow harmful microorganisms and bacteria to form, which can cause sickness, and make your food taste and smell rancid – not exactly the best impression to leave on your restaurant’s customers, right?
Can a commercial fridge or freezer temperature be too cold?
Many people fall into the trap of setting their freezer temperature below the recommended freezer temperature of -18°C and don’t realise that this can also hurt the quality of their frozen goods. Not only will this use more electricity than necessary, but temperature issues can increase business expenses and energy consumption. Ingredients such as meat and veg being exposed to excessively cold temperatures can also lead to freezer burn.
What is freezer burn?
Freezer burn refers to foods that have lost their moisture due to cold and dry air exposure and the storage conditions in your commercial freezer. Reduced moisture levels can contribute to compromised food quality, causing stored foods to look and taste unappetising, which isn’t great if you’re in the hospitality industry!
Signs your frozen food is suffering from freezer burn:
- Meats may have turned a grey/brown colour
- Foods can develop grainy textures or look dry
- These foods are tough to chew when they shouldn’t be
You can prevent freezer burn or greatly delay its development by tightly wrapping foods in sealed freezer bags – this prevents any chilled air infiltration that causes drying, keeping your frozen items in a desirable condition.
How to know if your commercial freezer is set at the optimal temperature
There are some obvious signs that your freezer is operating at the ideal temperature range for storing perishable foods, such as:
1. Your surfaces and shelves are frost-free
Ice and snowy frost build-ups within your freezer are huge signs that it’s set at a temperature that’s too cold. Ice crystals forming on your stored items are also an indication.
Your freezer should feel much colder than your refrigerator temperature, but at the same time, your shelves should be free of ice and frost!
2. Your produce is freezer-burn-free
If your commercial freezer is functioning at the correct temperature, your food products shouldn’t suffer from freezer burn (unless they have been poorly wrapped or stored for a long time).
3. Your freezer temperature settings are correct
One of the simplest ways to inspect the temperature of your appliance is by checking its temperature readout – this is usually found on the exterior of the commercial freezer, or at the top of the refrigerator section of a fridge freezer.
However, if you’d prefer to measure it yourself or your commercial fridge freezer doesn’t have a readout, you can place a thermometer between frozen food bags. After 8 hours, remove it to discover if your freezer is set to -18°C.
How to set your freezer’s temperature
If your freezer isn’t operating at the ideal temperature range, you’ll need to manually adjust the temperature. This is typically straightforward to do using the appliance’s temperature controls, which could consist of a rotary dial, buttons, or touchscreen.
However, as each cooling system is different, we recommend using the freezer’s manual for guidance, as the instructions will be tailored to your exact model.
Tips for maintaining a normal freezer temperature
Our refrigeration specialists suggest the following tips to ensure you keep your freezer at the ideal temperature:
- Check your commercial freezer temperature daily to ensure food is stored safely.
- Try not to jam-pack your freezer shelves or compartments – a full freezer may block internal air vents, preventing cold air from dispersing and causing internal temperatures to rise.
- Keep the refrigerator door and freezer door shut as much as possible to prevent warm air from infiltrating.
By paying close attention to your freezer temperatures, you’ll effectively maintain health and safety regulations, and even prevent costly repairs down the line!
Get in touch for all your commercial refrigeration needs
If you’d like to invest in a supreme quality commercial refrigeration system to meet all your business needs, why not contact us today?
Our team is more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding commercial refrigeration and freezing. We offer a full range of high-quality and trustworthy commercial refrigeration repair services and commercial equipment from experienced engineers to meet your specific needs.
