How Long Does It Take A Refrigerator To Get Cold?

Refrigerators are essential appliances that keep our food and drinks cold and fresh. But how long does it take a refrigerator to get cold after you plug it in, move it, or lose power? And how can you tell if your refrigerator is cold enough to store food safely? In this blog post, we’ll answer these questions and more. We’ll also give you some tips on how to speed up the cooling process and how to maintain the optimal temperature in your fridge.

How long does it take a refrigerator to get cold? Refrigerators need at least 12 hours with no food inside to real optimal temperature. 

How long different types of refrigerators take to get cold

There are many types of refrigerators available on the market, such as mini fridges, top freezers, bottom freezers, side by sides, French doors, etc. Each type of refrigerator has a different cooling time, depending on its capacity, design, and features.

Here are some examples of how long different types of refrigerators take to get cold:

• Mini fridges: Mini fridges are small and compact refrigerators that can fit in dorm rooms, offices, or small apartments. They usually have a capacity of 4 to 5 cubic feet and may or may not have a freezer compartment. Mini fridges take an average of 4 hours to get cold.
• Top freezers: Top freezers are traditional refrigerators that have the freezer on top and the fridge on the bottom. They usually have a capacity of 14 to 22 cubic feet and are relatively affordable and energy-efficient. Top freezers take an average of 12 hours to get cold.

• Bottom freezers: Bottom freezers are refrigerators that have the freezer on the bottom and the fridge on the top. They usually have a capacity of 19 to 25 cubic feet and offer more convenience and accessibility to the fridge section. Bottom freezers take an average of 12 hours to get cold.
• Side by sides: Side by sides are refrigerators that have the freezer and the fridge side by side, with vertical doors. They usually have a capacity of 20 to 30 cubic feet and offer more storage space and features, such as ice makers and water dispensers. Side by sides take an average of 12 hours to get cold.
• French doors: French doors are refrigerators that have two doors for the fridge section and a drawer for the freezer section. They usually have a capacity of 25 to 35 cubic feet and offer more style and functionality, such as door-in-door access and smart technology. French doors take an average of 12 hours to get cold.

These are just some examples of how long different types of refrigerators take to get cold. However, the actual cooling time may vary depending on the brand, model, condition, and settings of your refrigerator.

How to determine your refrigerator’s cooling time

The best way to determine your refrigerator’s cooling time is to check the user manual or installation guide that came with your appliance. You can also find these documents online by searching for your refrigerator’s brand and model number.

The user manual or installation guide will tell you how long your refrigerator takes to get cold after plugging it in or moving it. It will also tell you how to set up your refrigerator properly, how to adjust the temperature settings, and how to troubleshoot any problems.

If you don’t have access to the user manual or installation guide, you can also use a thermometer to check the temperature inside your refrigerator. You can place a thermometer in a glass of water in the middle shelf of your fridge and wait for at least 24 hours before reading it.

The ideal temperature for your refrigerator is between 35°F and 40°F. If your thermometer shows a higher or lower temperature than this range, you may need to adjust the temperature settings or contact a professional for service.

Factors that impact how long refrigerators take to cool

There are several factors that can impact how long refrigerators take to cool, such as:

• The size and capacity of the refrigerator: The larger the refrigerator, the longer it takes to cool down.
• The ambient temperature: The higher the room temperature, the longer it takes for the refrigerator to cool down.
• The number and type of items inside the refrigerator: The more items inside the refrigerator, especially warm or hot items, the longer it takes for the refrigerator to cool down.
• The frequency of opening and closing the door: The more often you open and close the door, the longer it takes for the refrigerator to cool down.
• The age and condition of the refrigerator: The older or more worn out the refrigerator is, the longer it takes to cool down.

How to speed up the cooling process

If you want to speed up the cooling process in your new or old refrigerator, you can follow these tips:

• Keep the refrigerator a few inches away from the wall: This will help the air to circulate better behind the refrigerator and disperse some of the heat.
• Put ice or frozen items in the freezer: This will help the freezer to cool faster and lower the overall temperature of the refrigerator.
• Don’t open the door too often: This will help to maintain a consistent temperature inside the refrigerator and prevent warm air from entering.
• Keep the kitchen cool: This will help to reduce the ambient temperature and make it easier for the refrigerator to cool down.
• Cool food down before putting it in the refrigerator: This will help to prevent adding extra heat to the refrigerator and prolonging the cooling time.

How to know when your refrigerator is cold enough to store food

The most accurate way to know when your refrigerator is cold enough to store food is to use a thermometer, as explained earlier. However, if you don’t have a thermometer, you can also use some simple signs to tell if your refrigerator is cold enough, such as:

• The walls and shelves of the refrigerator feel cold to the touch.
• The items inside the refrigerator feel cold or chilled.
• The ice maker or water dispenser is working properly.
• The compressor or fan is running smoothly and quietly.

If you notice any of these signs, it means that your refrigerator is cold enough to store food safely. However, if you notice any of these signs, it means that your refrigerator is not cold enough and may need more time or service, such as:

• The walls and shelves of the refrigerator feel warm or hot to the touch.
• The items inside the refrigerator feel warm or spoiled.
• The ice maker or water dispenser is not working or leaking.
• The compressor or fan is making loud or unusual noises.

If you notice any of these signs, it means that your refrigerator is not cold enough and may pose a risk of food poisoning. You should avoid putting any food in your refrigerator until it cools down properly or contact a professional for service.

Final thoughts

Refrigerators are essential appliances that keep our food and drinks cold and fresh. But how long does it take a refrigerator to get cold after you plug it in, move it, or lose power? And how can you tell if your refrigerator is cold enough to store food safely?

The answer is it depends on the type, size, model, and condition of the refrigerator. On average, refrigerators take 12 hours to get cold, but this can vary from 4 to 24 hours depending on various factors. You can use a thermometer or some simple signs to check the temperature inside your refrigerator and adjust it accordingly.

You can also speed up the cooling process by following some tips, such as keeping the refrigerator away from the wall, putting ice in the freezer, not opening the door too often, keeping the kitchen cool, and cooling food down before putting it in the refrigerator.

We hope this blog post has helped you understand how long refrigerators take to get cold and how to make them cool faster and safer.