Refrigerator temperature: What temperature should a refrigerator be set at?

Your refrigerator likely comes set at the factory-recommended temperature, probably a “mid-setting,” but what is that?

If you set the temperature too low, your food will freeze. Set it too high, however, and your food will spoil quicker due to increased bacterial growth.

The recommended temperature for your refrigerator ranges from 35 degrees to 38 degrees.

I keep my refrigerator at 37 degrees and try to keep it stocked well with food, because — believe it or not — a fully stocked fridge holds its temperature better than one with a couple condiment bottles in the door.

But the best test for your refrigerator’s temperature is a beverage. If you don’t like the temperature of your beverage, adjust the fridge. If you think your refrigerator is too cold, increase the temperature by 1 degree and allow 24 hours for the compartment to adjust. Obviously, do the opposite if you think your refrigerator is too warm.

To ensure proper temperatures, air has to be able to flow between the refrigerator and freezer sections.

As shown in the super sweet illustration, cool air from the refrigerator enters through the bottom of the freezer section and moves upward. Most of the air then flows through the freezer section vents and recirculates under the freezer floor. The rest of the air enters the refrigerator section through the top vent and flows down the back of the refrigerator compartment.

Make sure the air vents aren’t blocked by some errant food thing. Otherwise, it might block the flow of air to the refrigerator, which in turn causes temperature and moisture problems and melty ice cream, etc.

Also (word to the wise), last time my refrigerator was too warm — and I had cranked it up to the coldest setting — I (my dad) finally popped off my kick-plate to find a veritable lint blanket.

Lesson: if your refrigerator can’t exhaust properly, it can’t cool properly. So, vacuum the condenser every three months!

2013: The year the smart kitchen finally arrives?

For years now, we have been hearing about the smart kitchen. Has the time finally come? Appliance makers at CES 2013 seem to think so. And mobile devices are ready to agree.


January is a time of renewal. It also happens to be when appliance makers show off their visions of what is to come. The event is CES 2013 and this year, according to those that make kitchen gadgets and appliances, everything is going to be very, very smart. While we have been promised automated kitchens in one form or another since the time of the Jetsons, there is one important factor in the modern world that may see the smart kitchen finally grow up: mobility.

The year 2013 is going to be one marked by plenty of smartphone and tablet sales. All those mobile devices are going to need something to control. Like what's for dinner.

All cooking consists of a step-by-step process; a process that lends itself remarkably well to being transcribed as a set of directions. Having these recipes readily available (not to mention with enhanced content) has become an enticing reality for phones and tablets. Perhaps the next step in the process is the integration of technology into the cooking device itself. Look for the Dacor Wall Oven with Discovery IQ Controller for Android to land sometime in summer 2013. Not only will the oven be able to tell you what's for dinner, but also how to cook it. The fact that it can keep track of what you cook leads to interesting possibilities for the future. Perhaps recommendations based upon eating preferences? Couple recipe choices with what's actually in the fridge and suddenly shopping lists sent to phones can be viewed in a whole new way. The first steps have been taken.

The dream of connected appliances is happening. LG's Smart Home Service looks to integrate communication among appliances via its SmartControl app. Naturally, LG isn't the only appliance maker looking to dominate the living space. Haier showcased their Smart Living system in an effort to win over future consumers. In what is soon to be a crowded field, Whirlpool announced a new line of appliances featuring their 6th Sense Live technology. When available, the connected kitchen and laundry room appliances still won't be able to actually cook you dinner just yet, but expect to be able to exert simple control over common appliances when they become available for purchase in March.

If the thought of a matched set of smart appliances seems out of reach you are not alone. (Pay attention, appliance makers: make your devices play nice!) Belkin has teamed with Jarden Consumer Solutions (JCS is the maker of Sunbeam, Crock-Pot, Mr. Coffee, and Oster appliances) to bring connected capabilities to everyday kitchen gadgets and appliances via the WeMo SMART platform. Belkin's existing WeMo technology, app development, and cloud server allows for JCS to bring familiar products to market quickly and easily. Look for the first of these to be available later this year.

Smartphones and tablets have certainly changed how we view and interact with the world around us. Now, they look to transform the hearth of the home. With real steps being taken to that future throughout the year, 2013 looks to be the year when long promised smart features finally come home.

Cleaning Electric, Gas and Ceramic Cooktops

…And then there were dirty cooktops.

Your kitchen appliances work their hardest over the holidays, so a deep clean is necessary to keep them working well. Cooking several dishes at once means there’s probably food in places you never thought possible. A thorough cooktop cleaning will help prolong its lifespan.

For all ranges with removable parts, fill your sink with hot water and a small amount of dish. Soak all removable parts, except electric burners, while cleaning the surface.

In this article we’ll go over how to clean:

Electric cooktops

Gas cooktops

Ceramic cooktops



How to Clean an Electric Cooktop, Burners and Surface
 ■Lift up the coiled burner element and unplug it.
 ■Remove the drip pans from the stove and soak.
 ■Take a damp, soapy sponge or and wipe down the surface with warm water—be careful not to wet   the wiring inside and underneath of the cooktop.
 ■Scrape off crusted food with a dull blade like a putty knife (sharp items will damage the surface.) Do not use steel wool or similar products as these will damage the surface over time
 ■Clean drip pans with warm water, sponge and baking soda. Some people cover drip pans in tinfoil and replace after each use.
 ■Replace drip pans and plug in burners after they’ve dried.



How to Clean Gas Cooktop, Burners and Surface

Shown: Electrolux EI30DD10KS

 ■Soak grates and burner caps.
 ■Wipe down the surface with warm water and soap or baking soda.
 ■Scrape off crusted food with a dull blade like putty knife—do not use steel wool or similar products as these will damage the surface over time!
 ■After soaking burner grates and caps, clean them with warm water and soap, then rinse. Replace after they’ve dried.


 

How to Clean Ceramic Cooktops

Ceramic cooktops are trickier to clean because their surfaces cook spilled food instantly.

 ■Make sure the cooktop has cooled down all the way before cleaning.
 ■Take a damp sponge with warm water and soap and wipe down the surface
 ■Soak  crusted food and other stains rather than scraping. This will prevent scratches.
 ■Optional: Use a ceramic cooktop cleaner like Ceramabryte cleaner. This will restore the cooktop’s shine and make it look like the day you bought it!