A DIY Refrigerator Thermostat

Ensure optimal refrigerator temperature with a few household items.

Most refrigerator thermostats do not allow the user to set a specific temperature. The dials allow the user to set the coldness on a scale of 1 to 5 or 1 to 10. This can make it difficult for maintaining the optimal temperature range in your refrigerator. Using a few household items, you can create a homemade thermostat for monitoring the temperature to the exact degree. With this knowledge, you can ensure your food and drinks stay fresh and safe.

Things You'll Need

• Glass
• Cooking thermometer
• Cooking oil

Instructions

1. Fill a drinking glass or measuring cup with cooking oil. Alcohol can substitute the cooking oil if need be. If you have neither of these on hand, water can also be used -- but it may freeze depending on the temperature of the refrigerator.

2. Place a cooking thermometer into the glass. Place the glass into the refrigerator.

3. Allow the device to sit in the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours before checking. For continual temperature measurement, leave the device in the refrigerator 24/7.

4. Check the temperature and adjust the refrigerator’s cold settings as necessary. A refrigerator should be roughly 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

References

• Acme How To: How to Check Refrigerator Temperature
• Food and Safety Inspection Service: Appliance Thermometers