It is routine for me to record the temperatures of refrigerators and freezers in the course of the Home Inspection. Many inspectors don’t perform this service for their buyers.
For food safety it is recommended that refrigerators be kept at approximately 38 degrees Fahrenheit and that freezers be kept at around 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
I frequently find temperatures much warmer than these recommended temperatures----often even in the 50’s for the refrigerator. Freezers are less often inadequate because people can judge temperature by how hard the ice-cream is. If the ice-cream digs out without breaking the spoon it is probably too warm. 
Some of the newer refrigerators come with digital read-outs that keep track of the freezer and refrigerator temperatures----sometimes even these are not accurate and should not be “relied” on----they should be checked periodically with an actual thermometer.
OK----now go and check the temperatures of your refrigerator and Freezer.
Charles Buell
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Great tips Charles
Thanks Brian, most people have no clue what temperature there food is being kept at.
It's a far better, and more accurate, test to stick your tongue on it.
I should mention that to Croakster...
Jay, is that an "ice cream" test you are talking about?
Hey, Charles.
I've always used 38°F for the refrigerator and 0°F for the freezer because of the USDA Food and Safety Inspection Service's recommendations.
Interestingly, the FSIS materials say on one hand that 40° to 140° is the danger zone, but then they say on the other hand that refrigerators should be kept at 40°F. Since one can't have it both ways -- 40° is the danger zone but refrigerators should be kept at 40° -- I arbitrarily chose 38° to allow for a one degree margin of error.
I've written the USDA FSIS a couple of times. The first time I got a response acknowledging the conflict, but they didn't change it.
My new refrigerator as controls in it to keep the refrigerator anywhere from 33° to 42°, and the freezer anywhere from -5° to 5°.
Funny, I never even thought about home inspectors checking the temperature of the refrigerator, even though I have seen innumerable inspections. Most, but not all ispectors, checked the calibration of the oven temperature. Didn't even ring a bell. Thanks for this post; now I will always ask inspectors to check the refrigerator!
Russel, thanks----that obviously should have said "0"
Michael, I actually don't check calibration of oven temps----a lot more variables and more complicated.
Most of the places I inspect have room temp. refrigerators and the same for the freezer. The box is usually easy to check though, it normally doesn't have a door, that is if it has a refrigerator.
Regrigerators usually don't remain with the homes here. So I'm sure inspectors don't test them but they do run the dishwasher.
Jack, you mean the house usually doesn't have a door?
Barbara, that is so wild----don't you have a lot of refrigerators that fit into cabinet openings? With so many different sized refrigerators it just seems odd that people would take them with them. I would say that here "occasionaly" the refrigerator will disappear with the seller. Washers and dryers seem to be about 50/50.
I don't think I've ever seen an inspector around here take the temperature of the refrigerator. Great info, I'm going to check mine now...by way of the ice cream :-)
I don't have appropriate insurance to cover me for testing/inspecting personal property, which refrigerators, washers, and dryers are considered down here in my neck of the woods. Even when it's a built-in Sub-Zero and pretty obviously conveys, my insurance policies consider it personal property.
The latest big appliance down here that is starting to convey is the big 64" plasma television above the fireplace. But televisions are also considered personal appliances even when they convey, so they are beyond the scope of my insurance policies and, thus, my inspections.
Sometimes! But normally they just rip the ref. and oven doors off.
Yes, need to be careful about food items that don't get used every day and are in the refrigerator.
Jim, great way to check:)
Russel, I don't even think about insurance----I do what it takes to keep my buyers informed. Same way I would if the outlet the refrigerator was plugged into had reversed polarity so that the box was hot.
Jack, I feel lucky to not see very many trashed properties.
Bob & Carolin, the point of my post was merely to get people aware of the possibility that the fridge and freezer might be warmer than they are aware of.
great meeting you at Bar Camp 2009 Charles, as far as mold goes, if I find mold growing in a bag of food , should I clean out the rest of the contents in the refrigerator?
Charles, Good points! I generally do not watch TV, but there was a good show on one of the stations about bacteria build-up and people getting ill from bacteria laden food from refrigerators that were too warm...
Your building consultant in Spring Hill, TN ~ Michael
I have never seen a Home Inpector check the temperature in a refrigerator...Interesting.
Yes, I stick my tongue on it, I scream, you come running, see what the problem is, and then you scream...
Croakster would merely BAAAAR BAAAAR REEEBAAAAR
Sonny, I wouldn't think so but it is an interesting question. Another question----what is the difference between "fermentation" and "mold?"
Michael, I think it is good information to provide.
Amy, thanks for stopping by.
Jay, everyone screams for ice scream.
Like you I always check the refrigerator and freezer temp, but Russel raises a good point. I bet it's not covered under my insurance either. Oh well, I haven't been sued yet, guess we'll find out if and when. Great post Charles.
Suesan, can you give me an example of what one would get sued for regarding checking the temperature of the refrigerator?
No clue my friend, which is why we do it and never gave it a thought. I guess what I was really getting at when I acknowledged Russel's comment was that the insurance ramification had never even entered my mind. Measuring the internal temp of the frig. and freezer is just part of what we do if the item is remaining and we just thought it was good practice.
However, while responding to your question this scenario just came to mind. What if I were to take a reading at the time of inspection which said the internal temp was 38 degrees. After closing and moving in the darn frig stopped working properly and the food started to spoil. I suppose the person could turn back to me and say, Hey there...you told me it was working, says so right here in your report.
Now I know that the agreement signed prior to the inspection states that I am reporting on the conditions observed at the time the inspection was performed, but I suppose the client could attempt to argue otherwise. As long as there are lawyers willing to sue, I supposed there is always that possibility. Thats was what I meant when I joked on how I haven't been sued...yet.
BTW... I don't plan to stop checking the temperature. I do so hate warm beer.
Suesan, I guess that could happen. I guess I would just rather take the risk that there is a better chance that the refrige isn't going to die plus I have the picture of the temperature at the time of inspection. There is always risk. Comes down to a business decision and how it fits in with whether from the get go the buyer has felt you were doing your best to take care of them.
Thanks Charles! I guess I could stick my 'oven thermometer' in the fridge and check the temp! Freezer is ok---- ice cream is rock hard, lol.
Kara, I heard you don't like ice cream:)
Great tips. I had no idea that inspectors checked fridge and freezer temps. Maybe its not all that common in my area.
OK...now I know I need to buy a thermometer and check mine. This post would be good for my readers this week in my newsletter. Mind if I link to you?
Justin, most inspectors likely do not check refrigerator and freezer temperatures.
Thanks Lizette----use the info any way you like.
Can't remember any inspector in Las Vegas ever checking the fridge temps. That's good info for the buyer to know, and potentially gives them a chance to negotiate a repair or replacement if the numbers are way off.
John, more often than not, it is simply a matter of changing the setting. But, if it is above 40 and the setting is on "COLDASITGETS"----you are in for a repair/replacement:)
The temp in this freezer could have been a little molder, er, I mean colder.
Just clean it up with some of that alcohol
Mr Charles,
Would you have a suggestion as to the ideal temperature for retaining the freshness of walnuts? To the hunters out there, I look upon a nice plump walnut as game.
Nutsy at the company keyboard
Charles, I use my nose as a gauge.... when I open the fridge and smell food, it's time to make the fridge colder. When I can smell the food inside the fridge WITHOUT opening it, then it's time for a new fridge!
Nutsy if your teeth break when you bite them----it is too cold:)
Regina----excellent protocol:)
Charles, I am glad to know how cold the fridge should be, I am getting to know the GW repairman way too much!
Sonny there must be food in the refridgerator for mold to grow! lol
Teresa, if people actually knew how much mold there was in their refrigerators they would probably be grossed out:)
There is more mold inside the frig than probably any where else in the kitchen.
I disagree with 38 degrees. Good for food not beer. Too cold for beer. 40 - 45 ideal beer temp. But that's why I have two.
James too true----I don't drink much beer myself, but when I do I prefer it at room temperature:)
WA is a sort of beer brewing capitol. Some great varieties of hops grown out there.
James, remember how there used to be a gas station on every corner----now they are all micro-breweries:)