Inside every fridge, there’s a small dial. It usually goes from 1 to 5, sometimes higher, and most people assume it sets the temperature. But that’s not what it actually does. Misunderstanding this little control can lead to higher energy use, and in some cases, poorly stored food. One expert recently cleared up the confusion around this dial, and what he explained might change how you use your fridge from now on.
That Dial Isn’t Temperature
In most standard refrigerators, that little dial doesn’t set a specific temperature. What it actually controls is the cooling power. The higher the number, the more the compressor runs and the more electricity it consumes. Many people think setting it to “1” makes the fridge coldest, and “5” makes it warmer. It’s actually the opposite.
Microbiologist Christophe Mercier Thellier explained in a recent interview that this is a very common misconception. According to him, nearly everyone uses the dial incorrectly. And the consequences are real. If the setting is too high for the amount of food inside, the fridge works harder than necessary. If it’s too low when the refrigerator is full, the temperature may not drop fast enough, which can lead to food safety issues. The result: lower performance, food that spoils faster, higher electricity bills, and wear on the motor over time.
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Not Every Fridge Spot Is Cold
Even if the dial is set properly, not all areas in a fridge stay at the same temperature. In a static cooling fridge, which is still the most common type in many homes, cold air sinks while warm air rises. This means temperatures vary by shelf. Just above the vegetable drawer, it can be around 1°C (33.8°F), while the top shelves may reach 4–5°C (39–41°F). That’s a problem if certain foods are stored in the wrong place. Cheese or deli meats, for example, need the colder zones to stay fresh longer.
Ventilated fridges distribute cold air more evenly throughout the compartments. That makes food storage easier and more reliable. Many of these modern appliances also display the exact temperature digitally, removing the guesswork from setting the cooling level. They’re usually more energy-efficient, too, helping keep food fresher and your electricity use under control.
A Small Change That Really Makes A Difference
A simple way to take control is to use a thermometer inside the fridge to check the actual temperature. Ideally, it should stay between 2°C and 4°C (35°F to 39°F). Lower than that is usually unnecessary, and higher than that puts your food at risk.
A few extra habits can also help: make sure your fridge isn’t pushed up against a wall or next to a heat source, defrost it regularly, and avoid overfilling it. If there’s too much inside, air can’t circulate properly, and the fridge has to work harder to maintain the right temperature. And if your fridge runs constantly, it may not be a mechanical issue, it could just be poorly ventilated or wrongly adjusted.
