Easy fixes for fridge temperature issues

A new refrigerator is a major purchase for any home owner. Fortunately, many fridge temperature issues are minor and can be repaired at home with a little know-how.

Measure the actual temperature

Even small deviations from recommended storage temperatures can cause food to spoil. Unfortunately, many fridges have control units with an arbitrarily numbered scale. So if you suspect that your fridge or freezer is too warm — or too cool — your first job is to accurately measure its temperature with a fridge thermometer. If your fridge or freezer proves to be too warm, try the following steps.

• Turn the control dial on the unit to a higher setting. Make a small adjustment, then leave the door closed overnight. Check the temperature with a thermometer. Repeat until you achieve the desired temperature. Use a waterproof pen to mark the optimum setting on the dial so that you can set it again if the dial gets knocked out of position.
• Pull the fridge away from the wall and use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a brush attachment to clear dust and cobwebs from the metal coils on the back.
• Leaky door seals can put a strain on the fridge. Check the seals by inserting a sheet of paper between the door and the fridge as you close the door. The paper should stay put; if not, clean your seals and doors thoroughly using household detergent. The door may have sagged over time, moving out of line with the fridge and creating a gap around the door. To realign the door, simply loosen the screws of the door hinge with a screwdriver; hold the door so it is "square" and retighten the hinge screws.

Check the fridge light

The tiny fridge light can warm the contents of your fridge significantly if it fails to switch off when you close the door. Use a blunt knife to pull the door seal back from the frame when the door is closed. If you can see light, the switch is probably stuck or misaligned and will need to be fixed.

Fridge thermometer

This simple and inexpensive gadget will help save energy and ensure that your food is kept fresh and safe. The inside of your fridge should be at 2°C to 4°C (35°F to 40°F); any higher may be dangerous. The inside of your freezer should be close to -17°C (0°F). Always monitor temperatures on your thermometer in the morning, when the door has been closed overnight.

Prevent icy build up

Ice buildup reduces the space inside your fridge and also makes it inefficient. It can be avoided by regularly cleaning the coils on the back and checking the door seals.

• Don't put warm food into the fridge — not only will it heat up the fridge contents, but any water vapour that it gives out will condense within, forming ice.
• Adjust your refrigerator's humidity setting (if it has one). A lower setting will reduce the amount of ice buildup.

Clean the drainage hole

Most fridges are self-defrosting, which means that the cooling element in the fridge is periodically heated to melt any frost that has formed on its surface. The melted water runs away through a small drainage hole at the back of the fridge. This hole can get blocked by particles of food or dirt, and water will then collect at the bottom of the unit.

The solution is simple — use a toothpick or cotton swab to clean out any debris from the hole, then pour a small amount of warm water through the drain to ensure it is clear. Dry the bottom of the fridge thoroughly with a paper towel.