A freezer should be set to 0°F (-18°C) to keep food properly frozen and safe for storage. This temperature halts bacterial growth and preserves food quality for long periods
. Some specific notes:
- For general household freezers, 0°F (-18°C) is ideal.
- Commercial freezers typically range between 0°F and -10°F (-18°C to -23°C), with ice cream freezers sometimes colder (-20°F to -29°C) to maintain texture
- Setting the freezer colder than 0°F is safe and can prevent partial thawing, but may increase energy use without significant food safety benefits
- Temperatures warmer than 0°F risk food spoilage and bacterial growth
In summary, maintain your freezer at or below 0°F (-18°C) for optimal food safety and preservation.
