Deep freeze question.

WilliamKY · 05-31-2021, 02:37 PM

Yesterday my dad gave me a 5.5 cubic ft freezer that works great. The temperature setting dial is 1-5 (5 being the coldest). I've had it on 1 for 24hrs and a thermometer inside says +2F. That's pretty cold for the lowest setting but the freezer is completely empty. My question is, do I really need to go any colder than that when it's stocked? Is there a preferred temp to freeze at? Thanks.

onemanlan · 05-31-2021, 06:42 PM

I found this helpful resource

"The ideal freezer temperature is 0 Fahrenheit (-18 Celsius) for all food storage. And -10 Fahrenheit (-23 Celsius) is recommended to quickly freeze food.

So your ideal freezer temperature is the depends on if you are freezing or storing food.

For example, if I am planning to fill the freezer after a day of shopping or freezer cooking I turn the temp to -10.

The next day, when everything is frozen solid, I move the temp back to 0. Why does this matter?"

harknii · 05-31-2021, 06:47 PM

My Hotpoint says to set to 5 degrees. So I have it so it goes between 2 and 5. It is 7 cu ft.

Happy Hapgood · 05-31-2021, 09:46 PM

Actually the more you put in it the colder it gets. Reduced compressor run time.

BDAABAT · 06-01-2021, 08:39 AM

What onemanlan and Happy said. Starts with the purpose of the freezer and ends with the amount of stuff inside the freezer. So, set the temp to what you're planning on doing.

Once you're decided on the need, you're typically good to go! With frozen food occupying the space and serving as a source of cold, less air needs to be cooled to get to whatever is the set point temperature.

Good luck!
Bruce

harknii · 06-01-2021, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDAABAT

What onemanlan and Happy said. Starts with the purpose of the freezer and ends with the amount of stuff inside the freezer. So, set the temp to what you're planning on doing.

Once you're decided on the need, you're typically good to go! With frozen food occupying the space and serving as a source of cold, less air needs to be cooled to get to whatever is the set point temperature.

Good luck!
Bruce

So if I am going for long term storage should it shoot for zero? 7 cu ft about half full.

NickTheGreat · 06-01-2021, 10:57 AM

I personally start to get worried when my freezers are above zero.

Agree that you need to fill it up. Maybe some milk jugs of water to test it out.

BDAABAT · 06-01-2021, 12:32 PM

If you don't need to get a bunch of food frozen quickly and just want to store food, would set temp to zero degrees F.

If you add more stuff to keep the freezer full, the compressor won't have to work as hard to keep temps vs. if the freezer is only partially full. Not sure it matters a whole lot in practice...all the freezer space I've ever had access to tends to fill up to the brim rather quickly. Freezer space is kind of like closet space: there's never quite enough (or, more probably, we expend to fill the available space!).

Bruce

Bruce

cookingdude555 · 06-02-2021, 01:48 AM

I run any fridge or freezer the exact same way, the coldest setting they have.

Burnt at Both Endz · 06-02-2021, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookingdude555

I run any fridge or freezer the exact same way, the coldest setting they have.

Yes sir, colder the better, must be some reason commercial freezers are cold?

mike243 · 06-02-2021, 07:34 PM

0-5 has always been the recommended setting with 0 where you want to be, 36-42 in the fresh food section with 38 being a good compromise to keep stuff without having it freeze , I work on them daily and have since 98 full time. set them where you want I need more business lol .

LYU370 · 06-02-2021, 07:38 PM

Freezer on the fridge is at -2, freezer in garage is at -10.

WilliamKY · 06-02-2021, 07:39 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I have about 20lbs of meat in it and I've noticed it rarely kicks on now. Temp hanging around 0 - +2F on lowest setting. Its not a frost free unit but I figure that is cold enough and prevents less frost. I doubt I will fill this up but I may grab a couple bags of ice to put in the bottom and fill the void.

Hoss · 06-02-2021, 09:42 PM

A FULL FREEZER is a happy freezer.Turn her as cold as she will go and GRADUALLY fill it.Fuller the better.

BDAABAT · 06-03-2021, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamKY

Thanks for all the advice. I have about 20lbs of meat in it and I've noticed it rarely kicks on now. Temp hanging around 0 - +2F on lowest setting. Its not a frost free unit but I figure that is cold enough and prevents less frost. I doubt I will fill this up but I may grab a couple bags of ice to put in the bottom and fill the void.

Need to get that Shirley fired up more often then!

Hope it works well for you!

Bruce

05-31-2021, 02:37 PM	#1
WilliamKY is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-18-18 Location: Louisville,KY Name/Nickname : William	Deep freeze question. Yesterday my dad gave me a 5.5 cubic ft freezer that works great. The temperature setting dial is 1-5 (5 being the coldest). I've had it on 1 for 24hrs and a thermometer inside says +2F. That's pretty cold for the lowest setting but the freezer is completely empty. My question is, do I really need to go any colder than that when it's stocked? Is there a preferred temp to freeze at? Thanks. __________________ Shirley Vertical + Fire Pit Pit Boss 700 Weber 28 griddle Weber 26 WGA Old Smokey Electric. Go Cards!

05-31-2021, 06:42 PM	#2
onemanlan Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-03-20 Location: Birmingham Name/Nickname : Taylor	I found this helpful resource "The ideal freezer temperature is 0 Fahrenheit (-18 Celsius) for all food storage. And -10 Fahrenheit (-23 Celsius) is recommended to quickly freeze food. So your ideal freezer temperature is the depends on if you are freezing or storing food. For example, if I am planning to fill the freezer after a day of shopping or freezer cooking I turn the temp to -10. The next day, when everything is frozen solid, I move the temp back to 0. Why does this matter?" __________________ Copper Weber 22, Humphrey's Battle Box, PK 360 & Masterbuilt 560!
	1 members found this post helpful.

05-31-2021, 06:47 PM	#3
harknii Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 05-18-21 Location: Jarrell, TX Name/Nickname : John	My Hotpoint says to set to 5 degrees. So I have it so it goes between 2 and 5. It is 7 cu ft. Last edited by harknii; 05-31-2021 at 06:48 PM.. Reason: More thoughts
	1 members found this post helpful.

05-31-2021, 09:46 PM	#4
Happy Hapgood somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 03-17-12 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Name/Nickname : Mike	Actually the more you put in it the colder it gets. Reduced compressor run time. __________________ Cooking Equipment: Weber WSM, Weber GA, Weber Spirit E-310, Weber 22" OTG Charbroil Oilless Turkey Fryer Wife LuzziAnn 1956 model. Ink Bird IBBQ 4T Wi-Fi Temp Monitor, Superfast LSU Purple Thermapen & ThermaPop, Party Q Ink Bird Sous Vide, HF Flame Thower My Motto these days is "Low Stress, Low Drag". The Artist Formally Known as Toast

06-01-2021, 08:39 AM	#5
BDAABAT is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-31-10 Location: Baltimore area Name/Nickname : Bruce	What onemanlan and Happy said. Starts with the purpose of the freezer and ends with the amount of stuff inside the freezer. So, set the temp to what you're planning on doing. Once you're decided on the need, you're typically good to go! With frozen food occupying the space and serving as a source of cold, less air needs to be cooled to get to whatever is the set point temperature. Good luck! Bruce __________________ Acquired sig: never let your mind remain so open that your brains fall out. --------------------------------------------------------------- Master Forge propane smoker Blackstone pizza oven Blackstone 36" griddle Weber gas grill

06-01-2021, 10:57 AM	#7
NickTheGreat is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 05-08-12 Location: Iowa	I personally start to get worried when my freezers are above zero. Agree that you need to fill it up. Maybe some milk jugs of water to test it out. __________________ 18.5" WSM ; 22" Kettle ; Weber E-330 ; Weber Q200 (for tailgating), Weber Performer

06-01-2021, 12:32 PM	#8
BDAABAT is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-31-10 Location: Baltimore area Name/Nickname : Bruce	If you don't need to get a bunch of food frozen quickly and just want to store food, would set temp to zero degrees F. If you add more stuff to keep the freezer full, the compressor won't have to work as hard to keep temps vs. if the freezer is only partially full. Not sure it matters a whole lot in practice...all the freezer space I've ever had access to tends to fill up to the brim rather quickly. Freezer space is kind of like closet space: there's never quite enough (or, more probably, we expend to fill the available space!). Bruce Bruce __________________ Acquired sig: never let your mind remain so open that your brains fall out. --------------------------------------------------------------- Master Forge propane smoker Blackstone pizza oven Blackstone 36" griddle Weber gas grill

06-02-2021, 01:48 AM	#9
cookingdude555 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-18-09 Location: USA	I run any fridge or freezer the exact same way, the coldest setting they have. __________________ John - Utah Too many cookers ...

06-02-2021, 07:34 PM	#11
mike243 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-13-16 Location: above knoxville Tn Name/Nickname : Mike	0-5 has always been the recommended setting with 0 where you want to be, 36-42 in the fresh food section with 38 being a good compromise to keep stuff without having it freeze , I work on them daily and have since 98 full time. set them where you want I need more business lol . __________________ WeberPerformer,SpiritE310,Q1000,36"BlackstoneGriddle Masterbuilt electric smoker,PB AustinLX

06-02-2021, 07:38 PM	#12
LYU370 somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-28-14 Location: Streamwood, IL	Freezer on the fridge is at -2, freezer in garage is at -10. __________________ Andy FEC100 - Big Joe - Weber Spirit II Gasser Are you ready for a THROWDOWN?!?!? Join us, It's a BLAST!! Join us for the Inaugural 2024 South East Bash - May 2024 Tennessee - Sign Up Link

06-02-2021, 07:39 PM	#13
WilliamKY is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-18-18 Location: Louisville,KY Name/Nickname : William	Thanks for all the advice. I have about 20lbs of meat in it and I've noticed it rarely kicks on now. Temp hanging around 0 - +2F on lowest setting. Its not a frost free unit but I figure that is cold enough and prevents less frost. I doubt I will fill this up but I may grab a couple bags of ice to put in the bottom and fill the void. __________________ Shirley Vertical + Fire Pit Pit Boss 700 Weber 28 griddle Weber 26 WGA Old Smokey Electric. Go Cards!

06-02-2021, 09:42 PM	#14
Hoss Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-31-09 Location: Hernando,MS	A FULL FREEZER is a happy freezer.Turn her as cold as she will go and GRADUALLY fill it.Fuller the better.