So you have a new refrigerator–it’s in your home, all set up, and you’re ready to fill it with all your favorite foods. But when is it okay to do so? You wouldn’t want to pack it full only to discover that your food has gone bad because your refrigerator isn’t yet cold enough.
How long does it take for a new refrigerator to cool? The typical time it takes for a refrigerator to cool down is 12 hours. However, depending on the brand, the cooling time can be anywhere between 2 and 24 hours. For the precise number for your refrigerator, consult the installation manual.
Let’s discuss how long a refrigerator needs to operate at a proper temperature and how to determine when it’s safe to store items.
Table of Contents
How Long Does It Take for a New Refrigerator to Cool?
Most new refrigerators cool down completely in less than 24 hours, according to cooling times. However, because they are smaller, mini fridges will be ready sooner. They ought to cool completely in around 4 hours.
Similar refrigerators can have wildly different cooling times, as shown in the table below. Despite the wide range, don’t be intimidated.
While some businesses took the time to determine the true length of time (more like 4–8 hours), others simply put 24 hours to be safe.
You should put a thermometer in a glass of cold water in your refrigerator. You should be able to fill it with food once it reaches 35–40 °F.
You must determine how many amps the refrigerator uses over time if you want to lower power consumption or size a battery backup for it.
How Long Do You Have to Wait Before Putting Food in a New Refrigerator?
After two hours of being plugged in, you can put food in your refrigerator. The refrigerator may take longer to reach the ideal temperature as a result, though. It is a good idea to store food somewhere else if you can to hasten the cooling process.
Depending on their capacity and conveniences, refrigerators come in a wide variety of weights. So, how much does a refrigerator weigh? Read it here!
How Long Should the New Fridge Run After the First Plugin?
A new refrigerator should run for between 80 and 90 percent of the time, according to research. Every refrigerator has a compressor that must run continuously for a while.
This is because the compressor cycle consumes the majority of the energy, not just running it.
Therefore, you need to keep your refrigerator for at least two to four hours before putting your items inside and making sure it’s the right temperature. You will need to allow at least 24 hours for the completion of a new refrigerator.
The factors that influence or determine how long your refrigerator will operate.
- Blocked air vent
- the quantity of food inside the refrigerator.
- Weather climate(hot and humid)
- dirty or broken door
- Door opening cycles.
How to Determine Your Refrigerator’s Cooling Time?
Searching for the brand and model number of your refrigerator, as well as reading the user manual or installation guide on the manufacturer’s website, will give you the most accurate information about the cooling time of that particular refrigerator. You could also go to a reputable retail website like Lowes.com or HomeDepot.com.
When you open the installation guide, press Control+F on your keyword and search for the word “hours.” By doing this, you can skip reading the entire guide and quickly locate the section that discusses cooling time in seconds.
Variables That Determine Cooling Speed
Ambient Temperature
As we’ve already discussed, the temperature around the fridge will influence how quickly it cools. The air around the refrigerator will cool down more slowly the warmer it is. faster as the temperature drops. Therefore, unless you have air conditioning, the summer is not the best time to purchase a new refrigerator.
Fridge Capacity
It takes longer for a refrigerator to cool the larger it is. More surface area means more time before cool air fills every crevice. Smaller refrigerators, like mini refrigerators, will be ready much sooner than larger ones.
Fridge Insulation
The amount of time needed to cool a refrigerator will vary depending on how well-insulated it is. Longer cooling times are made possible by refrigerator insulation. As a result, your refrigerator should cool down faster the better the insulation it has.
Placement
Your refrigerator will become more comfortable if it is located outside, such as in a garage. Depending on the weather, this may or may not be good for cooling. You’re in luck if it’s winter or a cool day. You might want to wait longer to use your refrigerator in the summer, especially if you live somewhere hot. This will give it time to cool properly.
How Long Does It Take a Fridge to Get Cold After a Power Outage?
Obviously, losing power is not a good situation. To avoid getting sick while attempting to save your food, follow these instructions if it does happen and you’re concerned about the food in your refrigerator and/or freezer.
after the loss of power…
According to the FDA
- An unopened refrigerator will stay cold for around 4 hours.
- A freezer will keep cold for a full 48 hours if it is full and unopened. If it’s only half full, it will last about 24 hours.
when the power is restored…
Analyze the freezer’s temperature.
- Food is safe to eat if the freezer is 40°F or lower.
- Check each item in the fridge to assess the situation and ensure food safety if you are unsure of the temperature. Packages are likely fine if they still have ice on them.
Most importantly, trust your instincts to know which foods are still safe to eat and which ones need to be thrown away.
How Long Should I Wait before Plugging in My Refrigerator?
The movers carried the new refrigerator downstairs after we purchased it. They warned us that because they had to carry the refrigerator horizontally, all of the freon would need to settle. Because the freon needs to settle for proper operation, they advised us to wait 24 to 48 hours before plugging in the refrigerator. Any earlier could result in problems.
Once you have your refrigerator plugged in, you’ll naturally ask, “how long do you have to wait to put food in a new refrigerator? Plugged in with the door closed for 24 hours after leaving the refrigerator will allow the cold air to build. You can start putting food in the refrigerator now that it’s cool enough to do so.
How Long Do You Have to Wait before Putting Food in a New Refrigerator?
2 hours after plugging your refrigerator in, you can put food inside. But it might take more time before the fridge is at the right temperature. It’s a good idea to move food to a different location if you can to hasten the cooling process.
The Reason Behind Your Refrigerator Not Cooling
The interior of a typical appliance can range in temperature from extremely cold to fairly tame, depending on its size and location.
While exact times vary, refrigerators can typically cool down to a temperature suitable for storing food in two hours, and it takes an average of eight hours to reach full cooling.
Lack of electricity is the best explanation for why the refrigerator won’t cool down. There is food waste as a result of the refrigerator’s components not functioning properly due to less power.
Ensure that the refrigerator is receiving the proper amount of electricity at all times, and check to see if the power button on the appliance is lit up.
Other causes include faulty cooling controls inside the refrigerator, which can prevent it from cooling. The fridge is cooled by the fans, which also serve as a backup in case something goes wrong. Your refrigerator’s cooling will then be directly impacted. Your refrigerator may cool and function more effectively if these problems are fixed.
How Long Do You Have to Wait before Putting Food in a New Refrigerator?
Two hours after plugging in, you can put food in your refrigerator. The refrigerator may take longer to reach the ideal temperature as a result. It’s a good idea to store food elsewhere if you can to hasten the cooling process.
How Long Does It Take the Refrigerator to Get Cool After Being Off?
It will still take 24 hours for the refrigerator to cool down again if you unplugged it after being away from home for a while or had a fridge you weren’t using.
It may take an hour or longer for the fridge to return to its normal cooling temperature if the power has been out the entire time and it has been closed. This depends on how long the power has been out.
When is It Safe to Put Food in the Fridge?
According to the FDA, food can be safely stored in a refrigerator once the temperature is 40°F or lower. It’s important to check that freezers are set to 0°F.
The Bottom Line
Knowing how and when to use a refrigerator has become crucial for any household.
Prior to loading the food inside, we saw the amount of time we must wait. We also looked into the issue of a fridge not cooling down.
Understanding all of these things will protect your food, the refrigerator, and even you from illness.
