In most refrigerator freezers, the refrigerator
gets its cold from the freezer. The evaporator fan circulates
air over the coils in the freezer and cold air circulates into
the refrigerator through vents. If the vents are blocked or closed,
then the fridge will not get cold enough but the freezer will.
If neither is cold enough, then the number of possibilities increases.
Lowering the freezer temperature will increase
the cooling cycle activity. Setting the refrigerator temperature
may have little affect on the cooling cycles because it simply
changes the vent opening size. Decreasing the fridge temperature
opens the vents more and increases air circulation from the freezer.
The temperature can be adjusted using the controls
found inside the refrigerator or freezer. The ideal freezer temperature
is about 0 to 5 degrees (F) and about 38 degrees (F) for the fridge.
Measure the temperature by placing a cup of
alcohol or cooking oil with a cooking thermometer into the freezer
for about 2 hours. The oil or alcohol will not freeze and make
it possible to accurately measure the temperature. If you used
water, it would freeze and the thermometer would not display the
correct reading. Also, the freezing water may damage a thermometer
placed in it.
