5 or 7 degrees in the refrigerator: which is colder and how to choose the optimal mode?

You are standing in front of the refrigerator, trying to figure out what temperature to set: 5 or 7 degrees —and which one is colder? At first glance, the answer seems obvious, but in practice it is more complicated. Not only the freshness of the products, but service life of equipment, energy consumption even the taste of the food depends on the right choice. An error in the settings can lead to frozen salad or spoilage of meat - and this is not only spoiled food, but also unnecessary expenses.

In this article we will figure out what What the numbers actually mean 5°C and 7°C in the context of refrigerators of different brands (Atlant, Samsung, Indesit), how they affect the storage of specific products (from milk to exotic fruits), and why in some models the temperature scale can work “in reverse” - where “+7” is colder than “+5”. You will also learn how to avoid typical mistakes when adjusting and what to do if the refrigerator “does not listen” to the settings.

Why Is 5°C colder than 7°C - or vice versa?

From the point of view of physics, the answer is simple: 5 degrees colder than 7. But in the world of refrigerators, things are not so simple. The fact is that manufacturers use different principles for displaying temperature:

• 🔹 Direct scale (most modern models): the number on the display = the real temperature in the chamber. Here 5°C really colder 7°C.
• 🔹 Reverse scale (found in old or budget refrigerators): the higher the number on the regulator, the colder. For example, position "7" may correspond to +2°C, and "5" - +6°C.
• 🔹 Conventional divisions (without degrees): scale from 1 to 9, where "1" is the most warm mode, and “9” is the coldest.

How to understand which system is used in your refrigerator? Look in operating instructions (section "Temperature adjustment") or perform a simple test:

Check if there is a °C sign on the display

Find in the instructions the table for the correspondence of divisions and degrees

Put the thermometer in the refrigerator for 12 hours and compare the readings with the number on the display

Pay attention to the markings: models with No Frost more often have a straight scale-->

⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators Bosch series KGN39XL40 and Liebherr rulers Premium the scale can be inverted - check this in the technical data sheet. Also, some models Samsung (for example, RB37J5230SS) automatically adjust the temperature depending on the load in the chamber, so the readings may differ from the set ones.

Optimal temperature for different products

Even if you figure it out, that 5°C is colder 7°C, the question remains: what mode do yours products need? There is no universal answer - it all depends on what you are storing. Below is a table with recommendations for the most common categories:

The table shows that simultaneous storage of meat and fruit at the same temperature is impossible. Solution:

• 🍎 Use freshness zones (if your model has them). For example, in LG DoorCooling+ the lower shelves are colder than the upper ones by 2-3 degrees.
• 🥩 For meat and fish, select the coldest zone - usually this is the shelf above the vegetable drawer.
• 🧀 Store cheeses and sausages in the middle part of the chamber at +5...+7°C.

5 or 7: which is better for saving energy?

Many people mistakenly believe that the colder the refrigerator, the more energy it consumes. Actually the optimal mode for energy efficiency is +5°C. Why?

When +7°C the compressor turns on less often, but works longer to maintain a stable temperature. This creates peak loads on the network. With +5°C on/off cycles are shorter and more uniform, which reduces total consumption by 8–12% (research data Energy Star for 2023).

However, there are nuances:

• 💡 In refrigerators with inverter compressor (for example, Samsung RB30A3200SA) the difference in consumption between 5 and 7 degrees is minimal - about 3-5%.
• 💡 In models with Linear compressor (LG GA-B489YVQZ) savings at +5°C can reach 15%.
• 💡 In hot climates (above +30°C in the room) the difference in consumption between modes is leveled out - the refrigerator spends energy fighting external heat.

What to do if the refrigerator does not hold the set temperature?

You set 5°C, but the thermometer shows +9°C —or vice versa, do food freeze slightly at 7°C? The reasons may be different:

⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator was manufactured before 2018, it may have an outdated cooling system (drip or manual defrosting). In such models, the temperature may fluctuate by ±3 degrees from the set one - this is normal, but requires adjustment of the settings.

• 🔧 Thermostat malfunction —the sensor does not read the temperature correctly. Check it with a multimeter (the resistance should change when cooling).
• ❄️ Clogged No Frost system - if the fan is frozen, the cold does not enter the chamber. Need defrosting for 12–24 hours.
• 🚪 Wear of the door seal - even a small gap increases the temperature by 2-4 degrees. Check with a sheet of paper: if it easily pulls out when the door is closed, the seal needs to be replaced.
• 📦 Food overload - if the refrigerator is more than 70% clogged, air circulation is disrupted. This is especially critical for models with fan (Samsung Twin Cooling, LG DoorCooling+).

How to temporarily solve the problem before repair:

1. If the refrigerator not freezing (temperature is higher than the set one), set the regulator to 1–2 divisions are colder. For example, instead of 5°C set 3°C.
2. If is freezing, move the products away from the back wall and check whether the mode Super Freeze or Power Cool.
3. For models with electronic control (Bosch KAN92VI20) reset the settings: unplug for 10 minutes, then turn on and configure again.

Myths about the temperature in the refrigerator: what is true and what is not?

There are many myths around the refrigerator settings. Let's look at the most common ones:

Myth 1: "The colder it is, the longer the food is stored."

❌ Reality: At temperatures below +2°C many products lose their taste and texture. For example, cucumbers become soft and milk becomes watery. Optimal balance - +4...+6°C for most products.

Myth 2: "The freezer compartment should have the maximum temperature (-24°C). Lower temperatures increase energy consumption by 15–20% without benefit to products.

❌ Reality: Sufficient for deep freezing -18°C. Lower temperatures increase energy consumption by 15–20% with no benefit to food.

Myth 3: "The (vacation) mode saves energy." Holiday (vacation) saves energy.”

⚠️ Reality: Yes, it reduces consumption, but only if the refrigerator is empty. If it contains food, this mode can lead to their spoilage due to insufficient cooling.

Myth 4: "The temperature is the same on all shelves."

❌ Reality: The difference between the top and bottom shelf can reach 3–5 degrees. In refrigerators with Multi AirFlow (Samsung, LG) it is less - about 1–2°C.

Why was there no precise adjustment in Soviet refrigerators ("ZIL", "Minsk")?

In older models it was used mechanical system with a capillary thermostat, which had a large error (±4°C). There was also no fan, so the temperature was highly dependent on the location of the food. Modern refrigerators are equipped with electronic sensors uniform cooling systems, which allows maintaining the set mode with an accuracy of ±0.5°C.

How to correctly measure the temperature in the refrigerator?

The built-in thermometer (if there is one) often shows an average value, which may differ from the actual temperature in different zones. To get accurate data:

1. Buy alcohol thermometer (price - from 100 ₽) or digital sensor with an external display (from 300 ₽).
2. Put it on the middle shelf (where you usually store milk or ready-made meals).
3. Close the door and do not open it for 12 hours (it is better to measure at night).
4. Check the readings. If they differ from the specified values ​​by ±2°C, this is normal. If the difference is greater, adjustment or repair is required.

For a more detailed analysis:

• 📊 Measure the temperature at all shelves (top, middle, bottom) and at door - it is usually 2-3 degrees warmer there.
• 📊 Check vegetable box: in models with Humidity Control (Liebherr) humidity is maintained at 90% and temperature +8...+10°C.
• 📊 If the refrigerator has zone freshness (0°C), make sure that it works correctly - it should be 1-2 degrees colder there than in the main chamber.

Common mistakes when setting the temperature

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to food spoilage or breakdowns. Here are the most common:

⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator is connected to the system SmartThings (Samsung) or Home Connect (Bosch), the temperature settings may be reset after updating the firmware. Check them every 1-2 months.

• ❄️ Ignoring storage zones - when meat is placed on the top shelf and milk is in the door. This leads to the fact that the products spoil faster than they could.
• 🔄 Frequent temperature changes - if you either decrease or increase the degrees, the compressor works for wear. Choose one mode and stick to it.
• 🧊 Storing hot food - even if the refrigerator supports the function Quick Cool, you cannot put it hot. This leads to the formation of condensation and overload of the system.
• 🚫 Turning off the refrigerator at night - some try to save energy by turning off the equipment. This leads to defrosting and spoilage of food, as well as wear on the compressor when restarted.
• 🔧 Do-it-yourself thermostat repair —if you are not a specialist, do not try to repair the sensors. An error can lead to a short circuit.

How to avoid these mistakes:

1. Make up storage card - determine which products are where, and stick to it.
2. Use containers with controlled humidity for fruits and vegetables - this will prolong their freshness by 30-50%.
3. If you need to quickly cool the product, use mode Super Cool, but not longer than 2 hours.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Can medications be stored in the refrigerator at 5 or 7 degrees?

Most medications (insulin, vaccines, some antibiotics) require storage at +2...+8°C. Mode 5°C is better suited than 7°C, but it is ideal to use freshness zone (if it exists) or the bottom shelf. Always check the instructions for the drug - some medications cannot be frozen even at 0°C.

Why does ice accumulate in the freezer if the temperature is set to -18°C?

The reasons may be different:

• 🔹 Frequent opening of the door —warm air gets inside and condenses.
• 🔹 Faulty seal —check whether the door closes tightly.
• 🔹 Clogged drainage —in models with No Frost water should drain into a special pan. If the drainage hole is clogged, moisture remains inside.
• 🔹 High humidity in the room —if the refrigerator is in a damp basement, ice will accumulate even if it is working properly.

Solution: defrost the chamber for 24 hours, clean the drain and check the seal. If the problem repeats, call a specialist.

How does the temperature in the refrigerator affect the taste of food?

Temperature directly affects:

• 🍷 Wine —at +7°C and above it “ages” faster, loses its bouquet. Optimally +5...+6°C.
• 🧀 Cheeses — when +2...+4°C hard cheeses become crumbly, and soft ones (for example, Brie) - bitter.
• 🍓 Berries - with +5°C strawberries and raspberries retain their taste for up to 5 days, and at 0°C —become watery.
• ☕ Coffee beans —at temperatures above +7°C loses aroma within 2–3 weeks. Store in an airtight container at +4°C.

Do I need to change the temperature in the refrigerator in winter and summer?

Yes, seasonal adjustment helps save energy and extend the life of equipment:

• 🌞 Summer (room temperature above +25°C): install +4...+5°C in the main chamber. The compressor will work more intensely, but this will prevent overheating.
• ❄️ Winter (room temperature below +20°C): can be increased to +6°C. This will reduce the load on the system.

⚠️ Exception: if the refrigerator is located on glazed balconywhere the temperature in winter drops below +10°C, it cannot be turned on - this will lead to breakdown compressor.

What temperature should be in the refrigerator for storing breast milk?

According to the recommendations of WHO and Academy of Medicine breastfeeding (2023):

• 🍼 Freshly expressed milk: can be stored at +4°C (not in the door!) up to 4 days.
• 🧊 Frozen milk: at -18°C - up to 6 months, at -20°C - up to 12 months.

Important: defrosted milk cannot be re-frozen before feeding. It is also not recommended to store it in the door - the temperature there is unstable.