Temperature Zones

Refrigerators are split into four parts to accumulate various types of food. The minus eighteen degrees Celsius part is the Freezer. The zero degrees Celsius part is for meat. The five degrees Celsius part is the Refrigerator. The ten degrees Celsius part is for the vegetables. The refrigerator sections are given numbers by the manufacturer. The warmest may be given number 1 and the coldest may be given number 9. Usually, for the refrigerator section, two to eight degrees Celsius is ideal and for the freezer section, minus eighteen degrees Celsius is required. Quite a few refrigerators need a particular external temperature to work properly. The capacity of a refrigerator is calculated either in cubic feet or liters. The volume of a combined fridge-freezer is divided into 3.53 cubic feet or 100 liters for the freezer and 4.94 cubic feet or 140 liters for the refrigerator. But these values may change.

Four Star Rating system

European freezers have a four star rating system to rank freezers. Same is true for refrigerators with a freezer compartment. A single star * means that the maximum temperature is minus six degrees Celsius. For frozen food, the maximum storage time is one week. A double star ** means that the maximum temperature is minus twelve degrees Celsius. For frozen food, the maximum storage time is one month. A triple star *** means that the maximum temperature is minus eighteen degrees Celsius. For frozen food, the maximum storage time is three months. A single star followed by three stars in bracket *(***) means that the maximum temperature is minus eighteen degrees Celsius. For frozen food, the maximum storage time is up to twelve months. The last two ratings have the same temperature. But, for freezing fresh food only the four star freezer must be used. For storing frozen food, three or less star freezers may be used. Keeping fresh food in these freezers may cause undue temperature rise.

Compartments in a Refrigerator

A refrigerator comprises of an upper refrigerating section and a lower freezer section. A switchable compartment between these two zones, having a temperature zone not higher than the maximum ice forming temperature zone and higher than the freezing temperature zone.