Freezer temperature settings

mattyfez · 12 Jul 2022 at 13:21

OK this probably sounds silly, but I've got a new chest freezer, just a standard 99litre one.

I've never paid much attention before but I've set it to what I belive is -18c on the rotary dial (it's not numbered so it's more of a guess based on its min and max temperatures).

I've set it to -18 as that seems to be common advice online for maximum preservation, but I have some questions:

A) -18c seem pretty damn cold, it that cold really nessesary? I understand its so items in the freezer will keep for longer, but I noticed it's frosting up pretty quick and I had to scrape some ice off from the metal where the door seals contact.
B) In these time of rising electric prices, would it be better to set it to something like -10c?

SoliD · 12 Jul 2022 at 13:47

-18 is the temp home freezers should be set to, could set to -10 but with the way they're insulated they're designed to operate most efficiently at that temp I suspect. If you only keep stuff in the freezer for a few weeks i'm sure it would be fine.

Saint1972 · 12 Jul 2022 at 13:59

-18 makes sure all things in the freezer are frozen all the way through.Frosting up;open the lid as infrequently as possible and don't keep it open for long especially in hot weather.Keep it away from heat sources and don't have it pushed right up against a wall,you need air flow around the freezer.And make sure seals aren't damaged on the lid.(You said it was new so that isnt the reason)

Yaayuh! · 12 Jul 2022 at 14:02

-18C is the optimum for longevity of food, and considered the minimum of indefinite* safe eating (*essentially).

What's the range of the freezer? IIRC Bosch freezers can only be set between -16 °C to -24 °C anyway

tom_e · 12 Jul 2022 at 14:04

You could set it to warmer but they'd you'd need to follow the freezing advice for fridge ice box type things I'd guess which means most things should only be left in there for a couple of weeks.

mattyfez · 12 Jul 2022 at 14:17

Yaayuh! said:
-18C is the optimum for longevity of food, and considered the minimum of indefinite* safe eating (*essentially).

What's the range of the freezer? IIRC Bosch freezers can only be set between -16 °C to -24 °C anyway

Thanks, just re-checked the manual, the temp range is -12c to -24c, and the other 180 degrees on the dial is 'coolbox mode' +10c to 0c, so a fridge mode thats not something I'll use.

Edit, I think i'll just leave it at -18 then

mattyfez · 12 Jul 2022 at 14:33

Saint1972 said:
-18 makes sure all things in the freezer are frozen all the way through.Frosting up;open the lid as infrequently as possible and don't keep it open for long especially in hot weather.Keep it away from heat sources and don't have it pushed right up against a wall,you need air flow around the freezer.And make sure seals aren't damaged on the lid.(You said it was new so that isnt the reason)

Thanks, yeah it was only a tiny bit of ice where the seals contact... I could brush it off with my fingers.. so i'll see how it goes, just seemed odd as its only a few weeks old, maybe a bit of dust or contamination preventing a seal so gave the contact area a good wipe down.. I dont open it often, once or twice a week I guess.