Question: Our older refrigerator seems to be much colder than normal. The dial on the refrigerator setting dial has the numbers 0-9. The problem is that there is no indication of which number (higher or lower) to set the dial to make the refrigerator colder or warmer.
Generally, what number is coldest on a refrigerator? The highest number or the lowest number? Quick Answer: The higher number is the coldest setting.
Most refrigerator temperature settings are controlled with a dial or slider. They are sometimes labeled 1 through 5 or 1 through 9. If you are not sure what to set it to, then set it somewhere in the middle. If the dial is numbered 1 to 5 set it on 3, if the dial is numbered 1 to 9, then set at 4.
USUALLY the higher the number on the temp control dial, the colder the temperature your refrigerator will get. If your drinks and food are not as cold as you like, set the temperature dial up one number higher. If it is at 3 and you want your food colder, set it to 4 and test 12-24 hours later to see if your food is at the temperature you desire.
Most older refrigerators will have a simple temperature dial control setting as seen above.
Most Kenmore, LG, Samsung, Maytag, GE, and newer Whirlpool refrigerators have an actual digital readout that displays the exact temperature. These newer refrigerators still have temperature control sliders, knobs, dials, and digital touch pad controls. This makes it much easier to know and control the exact temperature in your fridge or freezer.
A thermometer like the one above is perfect to keep in your fridge to know exact temp.
An easy way to check to find out the exact temperature is to use a simple inexpensive thermometer in the refrigerator. Most refrigerator controls do not show the actual temperature so using a thermometer is a good idea. Your refrigerator should be below 40 degrees F to be safe. The best temperature to suit just about any refrigerator is ideally at 37 degrees F.
If the settings on your temperature control dial seem to be making the fridge too cold or too warm, use the thermometer reading to adjust the settings dial until you have the best temperature. Allow 12 to 24 hours between each adjustment. Low (colder) temperatures are key to prevent bacteria growth and to keep your food fresher longer. Here is information on storing food at safe temperatures.
If you turn the dial to number 0, that effectively turns the fridge off. Setting the dial to 9, the refrigerator will be working at its max capability. Your personal temperature setting will depend on how much food is kept in the refrigerator. If your fridge is packed with food, it needs to be on a higher number setting to maintain a low (colder) temperature.
The temperature controller dial or slider on your refrigerator is a thermostat. It kicks the compressor on when the refrigerator is not cold enough. The refrigerator then turns the compressor off when the desired temperature has been reached. The more food you have in your refrigerator, the more stable the temperature will be. Set the thermostat to the middle of its range and leave it for 12 to 24 hours.
Adjusting Side-by-Side Refrigerator Temp Controls – Knobs
Adjusting Bottom Freezer Refrigerator Temp Controls – Knobs
Where Should My Refrigerator Controls Be Set At?
If you have seen refrigerator temperature controls that are completely different from the types we have mentioned above, please leave a comment below to advise our other readers having the same issue.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
More about Keith →
I have a Whirlpool Gold refrigerator-on-top, freezer-on-bottom. The ice cream in my freezer seems to hard, but I have it set on “1.” “Off” is right next to the “1” setting, so I figured this was the lowest/warmest setting. Just seems weird my ice cream is hard as a rock. FYI, the refrigerator above is set at “4.” I’ve owned this refrigerator since 2001, so 17 years. Has run fine.
I have a 2000 KitchenAid refrigerator model number ktrs22mjxh00. Temp # on both fridge and freezer go 1-7. It was working fine until we had a hurricane and somebody put the refrigerator and the freezer on the lowest setting so they stay colder longer when the power went out and ever since then, I can’t seem to get it back right because I don’t remember how it was set to begin with. So I set it at #4 for both but now there is water dripping from roof in fridge area, coming from freezer and it pools into area below produce drawers. I frigured the freezer not cold enough, turned it up to 5 waited a couple days and its still doing it. Is this something other than temp control? Its a self defrost but should i turn it off so if there is some ice build up somewhere i cant see can thaw, and then set it. And what is the proper settung #’s? Thanks
I’m just relieved that I’m not the only one who is baffled when I go to adjust the temp on every fridge I’ve ever owned or used!
Initially I think I know exactly what the labels mean (my 1st instinct is correct).
Are they saying turn it left for warmest or that the warmest temp is on the left hand side of the dial (which means you’d actually have to turn it right to get the warmest setting.)
And I struggle between whether 1 is the coldest setting since it’s the lowest # or is 5 the lowest?
I think manufacturers could have done a lot better job with clarity on the labeling (ridiculous to need a manual or Google every time I need to adjust the temp) and it seems like newer fridges have done that.
In the meantime I think a Post-It note inside my fridge will come in handy till it is time for a newer model fridge.
The higher the number the colder the fridge, therefore 9 would be the coldest setting and 0 the warmest.
I have a old side by side refrigerator from 2000.
It has slider controls numbered from 0-9 what number is colder?
If the controller is a thermostat, it should trigger when the temperature inside gets too warm. So why does it need to be changed for summer vs winter ? is it because the temperature is uneven in a fridge and so where the thermostat is, it needs to be colder in summer?
Fahim,
Check to see if there is any blockage that is preventing the air from flowing as designed.
It could be frozen and covered with ice.
Try defrosting the fridge and go from there.
-RR