What Do The Numbers On Your Fridge Mean?

If you are wondering what the different numbers mean on your fridge’s temperature dial, you are not alone.  

There can be confusion among homeowners about whether the numbers refer to temperature degrees or frosting power, as well as if number one or five is the coldest setting. 

Let Hotpoint help you improve how you use your fridge with this expert guide… 

The numbers found on a temperature dial of a fridge refer to refrigerant power, with the highest figure always making the appliance the coldest it can possibly be. 

Just keep in mind that the highest number on one fridge may not equal the same coldness as another, since appliances come in different designs. 

So, use your fridge’s temperature control dial as an indication of the appliance’s cooling power, rather than an exact temperature. 

It is recommended that the compartment of your fridge maintains a temperature of between 0.5°C to 5°C. At this temperature range, the appliance should be able to better preserve perishable food, slow down bacterial growth, and reduce the risk of developing foodborne illnesses. 

When it comes to the numbers on your fridge, this temperature range is usually achieved by: 

• Using the setting 2 or 3 for a fridge that is only partially filled. 
• Using the setting 3 or 4 for a fridge that is fully stocked. 

Here’s a simple way to check that you have your fridge at the correct setting: 

1. Put your fridge’s temperature dial onto its highest setting. 
2. Place a non-mercury thermometer into a glass of water and put this onto the middle shelf of your fridge. 
3. Leave this glass of water with the thermometer in your fridge for 12 hours or overnight. 
4. At the end of this period, check the thermometer’s temperature reading as soon as you open the fridge door. 
5. If your fridge is too cold, adjust the dial to the next number down and repeat steps two to four until you reach the ideal temperature. 

Too high: Food that is freezing very quickly when placed into your fridge is a telltale sign that you have your fridge set to a higher number than it should be. Another indicator is when ice starts to form on the walls of the appliance’s compartment. 

Too low: Have you noticed that perishable products like fruit, vegetables, eggs and milk are going bad at a rapid rate when in your fridge? This is because they are being exposed to heat and so your appliance’s temperature dial is set at a number that is too low. Water droplets can also form in your fridge’s compartment at this setting. 

Choose a Hotpoint fridge freezer and you’ll benefit from smart cooling technology designed to keep food and drinks fresher for longer. 

Key features which will help keep your food and drinks fresh for longer include: 

• VitalCare technology, which preserves the antioxidants in your fruit and vegetables for up to 7 days*. 
• FreshShield, which creates the perfect environment to keep your fruit and vegetables looking and tasting their best for longer**.  
• Even Flow technology, which keeps your fruit and vegetables fresh and crisp for up to 30%*** longer on every shelf. 
• Fast Freeze technology, which works to quickly freeze fresh items so that flavour and nutrients are rapidly locked in. 
• Fresh Zone and Ultra Fresh Zone compartments, which keep your fruit and vegetables fresh by maintaining optimal humidity. 
• Total No Frost technology, which works to prevent the build-up of ice in your fridge freezer. 

Will this be the first time you have purchased an appliance directly from our website? Sign up to our newsletter and enjoy free delivery on your new fridge freezer. 

*Tested by Intertek for fruits and vegetables (blueberry, yellow pepper, tomato, parsley) directly exposed to the light technology compared to a refrigerator without the same technology installed (and compared to Day 0) over a 7-day period while preserved in the crisper. 

**According to internal tests conducted by Beko Corporate on fresh lettuce, FreshShield crisper technology can preserve freshness longer compared to a standard crisper based on the K70561 cabinet. 

***Weight loss and sensory evaluation tests used for the determination of shelf life were conducted internally by Beko Corporate on carrot, fresh-cut iceberg lettuce, fresh-cut tomato, strawberry, salami, and kashar cheese samples stored in the EvenFlow refrigerator and control refrigerator (without the EvenFlow technology) for a 12-day period. Actual results may vary based on food type and usage conditions.