All GE refrigerators come with adjustable temperature settings for both the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. This lets you dial in the exact temperature that works for your situation.
But what temperature does GE itself recommend setting your refrigerator to?
GE recommends that you set the temperature of your refrigerator to 37ºF and the temperature of your freezer to 0ºF. Over-filling either compartment may reduce the air flow and cause it to warm up beyond the recommended setting. You can use refrigerator thermometers to double check the actual temperature.
The truth is that these recommended temperatures are just a starting point. Testing done by Consumer Reports has shown that some refrigerators can be off by up to 5ºF, potentially causing less than ideal storage conditions for your food.
The best way to be certain that your fridge is at the ideal temperature is to use a refrigerator thermometer and adjust your settings to get as close to 37ºF / 0ºF as possible.
Temperature Ranges For GE Refrigerators
But first, it’s helpful to know what settings are available on your refrigerator.
The temperature ranges available for GE refrigerators can vary depending on which model you have. However, in general, here’s what you can expect:
| Compartment | Coldest Setting | Warmest Setting | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 34ºF | 42ºF | 37ºF |
| Freezer | -6ºF | 5ºF | 0ºF |
How To Check The Temperature Of Your Refrigerator
Most of the time you’ll be able to tell if your refrigerator is set too warm or too cold simply by checking the food inside of it.
If your food is forming ice crystals or liquids like milk are partially freezing, then it’s set too cold. If your food is spoiling quickly or turning brown, it’s set too warm.
But you can go a step further by purchasing a refrigerator thermometer that will tell you the exact temperature of your fridge and freezer compartments.
Not many people have heard of refrigerator thermometers, but they can be incredible helpful tools when you’re trying to set the perfect temperature for your food.
These digital refrigerator thermometers are easy to read and have a magnetic backing so you don't have to take up precious shelf space.
Refrigerator thermometers can help you determine what setting is the right one for your exact refrigerator and the way that you have it configured. (Believe it or not, a refrigerator’s temperature depends partially on how much food you have stored in it.)
If you have an older refrigerator, the Department of Energy recommends placing one thermometer on the top shelf towards the back and one on the bottom shelf towards the front. This will help you determine if there is enough air flow in the refrigerator to maintain a constant temperature without creating any warm spots.
How To Adjust The Temperature On GE Refrigerators
It’s quick and easy to change the temperature setting of your refrigerator. When adjusting the temperature of either compartment, you should only change it by 1ºF per 24 hours.
A single degree may not sound like a lot, but cooling—or warming—your refrigerator too much, too quickly can cause damage to your food. It’s better to slowly bring it to your desired temperature.
If you have a control pad on the front of your refrigerator, follow these steps:
- Press the Fridge button once to see what the current temperature is set to.
- Press the Fridge button again to cycle through the options, from 34ºF to 42ºF.
- Press the Freezer button once to see what the current temperature is set to.
- Press the Freezer button again to cycle through the options, from -6ºF to 5ºF.
- To confirm a setting, leave the panel alone for about 5 seconds and the temperature you’ve selected will be saved.
If your control pad isn’t on the front of the fridge, it will be located on the inside left-hand refrigerator door. Follow these steps to adjust:
- Press the Refrigerator pad to see what the current temperature is set to.
- Press the Refrigerator button again to cycle through the options, from 34ºF to 42ºF.
- Press the Freezer button once to see what the current temperature is set to.
- Press the Freezer button again to cycle through the options, from -6ºF to 5ºF.
- To confirm a setting, leave the panel alone for about 5 seconds and the temperature you’ve selected will be saved.
Patrick Ward