The recommended temperature for a freezer should be set at or below 0°F (-18°C) to keep food safe and preserve its quality for long-term storage. Here are some key points to consider when setting the temperature for your freezer:
- The ideal temperature for a freezer is 0°F (-18°C), but a range of -1°F to 1°F is still acceptable.
- Its important to keep the freezer at a temperature cold enough to keep food frozen and preserve it until it is ready to be cooked or reheated.
- Placing an appliance thermometer in the freezer can help ensure that the temperature is optimally set, and its recommended to check it regularly to make sure it stays constant.
- If the power goes out, keeping the freezer door closed as much as possible can help maintain the temperature for around 48 hours, and food should still be safe to refreeze or eat if it has stayed below 40°F.
Therefore, based on the information from the search results, the freezer should be set at or below 0°F (-18°C) to ensure that food remains frozen and safe for long-term storage.