Freezers are a must-have appliance in the kitchen as they allow you to save food for much longer than a standard refrigerator unit. The right freezer temperature allows you to get the most out of your frozen food without worrying about expiration. Below we answer the burning question “what temperature are freezers?” to help take away the guesswork when it comes to freezing food.

So, What Temperature Are Freezers Set At?

Typically, freezers are set at 0°F (or around -18°C) at any given time. This is not to be confused with the classic 32°F freezing temperature for water, which actually won’t freeze food completely, shortening its storing lifespan. By keeping your freezer below or at 0°F, you ensure all of your frozen food stays preserved and safe to eat. However, we recommend eating frozen food within the food manufacturer's recommended time frame to ensure you get as much of the fresh flavor as you can. Always reference your freezer's instruction manual for specific temperature setting suggestions.

How to Keep Your Freezer At the Optimum Temperature

Now that you know what temperature freezers are, how do you ensure you maintain the correct temperature and preserve your food? Below we run through the best practices for keeping your freezer in top notch shape.

Don't Overcrowd Your Freezer

As easy as it is to stuff frozen veggies, meals, and meat into your already-full freezer, it's not good for your freezer's health in the long term. Only allow your freezer to get 70% to 80% full at any given time, leaving the vents and fan system clear to do their work. Overcrowding your freezer blocks airflow throughout the freezer and can sometimes block the freezer fan and ventilation system that help the freezer maintain a consistent freezing temperature. This can cause your freezer to work harder to try to produce the same results, resulting in higher energy bills. Or it might prevent your freezer from adequately cooling the space, making the food store well for half as long.

Create a Defrost Schedule

You'll likely need to defrost your freezer every six months to a year, or whenever you start to notice a thick layer of ice on the interior walls. This usually requires you to unplug your freezer and move your frozen food into a prepared cooler container until the freezer defrosts completely. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for defrosting your freezer for the best results. A lot of freezer/refrigerator models make it so that your refrigerator stays up and running while your freezer is turned off.

Is There a Safe Freezer Temperature Range?

Although freezers have an average temperature of at or below 0°F, it can range from 0°F to 5°F. Most freezers come with a dial on the interior of the freezer that allows you to reduce the coldness or amp it up when your freezer is packed with more food and therefore requires more energy to stay cold. When determining what temperature freezers are, put a freezer-friendly thermometer in your freezer to monitor the exact temperature if your freezer model doesn't already have one.

Can a Freezer That's Too Cold Cause Freezer Burn on Food?

Contrary to what you might think, the coldness of your freezer has no effect on freezer burn! Freezer burn occurs when frozen food is exposed to too much air, which is why sealable freezer bags and tight-packaged containers are a must in your freezer. Freezer burn can also occur if you put warm/hot food in the freezer before it's had time to properly cool.

What Is the Freezer Temperature for Ice Cream?

We all love ice cream that's easy to spoon-out from the carton. But the reality is, the hardened ice cream in your freezer is actually being stored at the optimal temperature. Ice cream stores best at 0°F, like all other foods you love. This ensures the maximum storage time and prevents softening or melting. However, it's best served around 6°F to 10°F – that’s the temperature when it’s easy to scoop. You just have to leave your ice cream out of the freezer for a few minutes before you can really dig in.

Tip!

Now that you know what temperature freezers are, it's time to learn more about your freezer options. Check out Your Guide to the Best Freezers: Freezer Types, Features, and More, or check out these guides for more inspiration:
Choosing Freezers: Upright vs. Chest Models
The Ultimate Guide to Freezer Organization

Browse our freezer selections now to maximize your food storage!