The ideal temperature for a refrigerator is between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . However, the temperature range may vary depending on the amount of food stored and the shelf on which the food is stored.

Most refrigerators have a dial with numbers ranging from 1 to 5, with the lower numbers representing colder temperatures and the higher numbers representing higher temperatures. The higher the number, the colder the fridge will maintain. Setting the dial to 5 will make the fridge the coldest. However, a lower fridge temperature does not necessarily equal better food storage.

As a general rule of thumb, a full fridge should be set between 3 and 4, while an emptier fridge should be set between 2 and 3. If the temperature is too low, ice may form and hinder air circulation, and it may also increase energy bills.

To ensure that the fridge is at the right temperature, turn it to 5, the coldest setting, first, then check the temperature. If thats too cold, adjust the dial bit by bit until you reach the ideal temperature. It is important to note that any adjustments to the temperature of the fridge will take 24 hours to take effect.