Ted Campanelli >
> wrote:
>
>>We needed to get a new refrigerator. The wife decided on a double door
>>style, so off to Sears we went. Got the new fridge (Kenmore ) delivered
>>on 12/18. Since I was unable to get the freezer and refrigerator
>>temperature levels where they should be (-15 to -20 on freezer and 34 -
>>36 for fridge ) called the service number and a "tech" came out.
>>
>>According to the tech AND the factory rep, the new refrigerators ARE
>>DESIGNED TO OPERATE AT 0 DEGREES FOR THE FREEZER AND 38 - 40 (!!!!!) FOR
>>THE REFRIGERATOR !!!

>>
>>Did the "rules" on food safety change ? I had been taught in the
>>military that the freezer was to be at 15 - 20 below zero and the fridge
>>part at 34 - 36 degrees.

You aren't in the military any more. For my entire life, zero is an
acceptable temperature for a home freezer. Perhaps the military keeps
things for years and wants the lower temperatures, but for normal household
food inventory turnover, we have been getting by for decades in millions of
households at zero. I've had things for two years, vacuum sealed, and they
were in perfect condition.

As for te refrigerated part, mine runs about 34 to 35 degrees. It is
adjustab le and I sometimes corn beef in it or cure hams, so I must know the
exact temperature to be sure I get the right timing. Modern units hold very
steady. Below 40 is the main thrust of food safety.


>>
>>I can "live with" 0 in the freezer, but 38 - 40 in the refrigerator
>>part ?

You can probably do better with no real effort, just a slight adjustment of
the settings. Manufacturers use the upper limit.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/