Fridge temp with thermometer?

Question

I just went to the store to purchase a fridge thermometer because the food in my fridge felt too warm this morning, how long should it take the thermometer to register the correct temp? I checked it at half an hour and it seemed awfully high.

Answer 1

green is correct, try adjusting the setting on your temp control inside the fridge.

Answer 2

Shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to an hour at the most. Fridge should be around 40F for keeping foods safe.

Answer 3

If your fridge is too warm how is the freezer.  Is it OK? Are the fans running, coils clean?

Answer 4

Mustange and greengun are right.

It takes about 1/2 to 3/4 hour for the thermometer to measure things.

You should also set your fridge to the coldest possible level, to check-out it's  operation.

Some thermometers require that the thermometer be shook down, like the old mercury medical thermometers.  If your thermometer is a stick type, this is most likely.  A dial type does not require shaking.  

For the first reading, the thermometer should be placed near the center of the fridge.  An additional reading should be made near the door, and at the top back, and near the bottom.  The readings should NEVER be more than 5-6 degrees apart in total range of all readings...  The door reading, if it is much higher (warmer) than the others, indicates a weak or bad door seal - one that is leaking air.

Some fridges have both a freezer and a fridge control.  Check that both controls are set to maximum cold.

As well, check that any vents or air passages between the two are not blocked, and that any interior fans are running.  Leave the doors shut when you listen to the fans run.

You should also check the freezer temperature, not just the fridge temperature.

A fridge/freezer, in hot weather like this, should run for about 10 to 20 minutes every hour to every hour and a half.

Finally, check to make sure that it is properly and tightly plugged in.  A loose plug-in connection is very bad, it can damage the motor, and even the house wiring.  A fridge/freezer outlet should be on a 30 double breaker (15 amps to each side of the outlet).  It should be on a separate circuit from everything else, except maybe a small ceiling light (some codes allow this, most don't). A fridge/freezer outlet should never be on a switched outlet. youo do not want to be able to turn it off accidentally. Only the breaker should be used to cut power to such an outlet.

Depending on the age of your fridge, if it is not keeping things cold, it may have lost some refridgerant compound... (freon or whatever).  A competent local appliance repair shop can send a technician to check the fridge for under $100+taxes.  This should include diagnosis, and possibly a minor repair, like making sure there are no refridgerant leaks, and topping up the refridgerant.

Call at least 3-4 places to get theur prices, policies, procedures before you have one send a technician.  Enquire as to methods of payment.  Some take only cash.  You may want to steer clear of these.  Those that take cheques (with ID) and credit cards tend to be more mainstream and solid businesses.

If your fridge need to be replaced, a new one is the best bet, if you want the best energy efficiency.  Resist buying a unit with too many "toys" and "add-ons/options" that can go wrong, and later cost a fortune to fcx.

You can buy  used one from a reliable apppliance dealer to save money. If you do so, try to find out it's energy star rating.  A used fridge usually comes with a 3 month warranty. If buying used, my above warning about "options / add-ons / toys" is doubly important!

Answer 5

you could try turning the fridge to its coldest and then raising the temperature when it is cold