[tip] Your refrigerator could be making you sick.

[Homestyle]

If you or any member of your family seems to have
the 'stomach flu' often, the refrigerator temp could possibly the the reason.

If the temp of your refrigerator is above 37' then you are
losing money and letting bacteria grow on lunch meats, applesauce, leftovers, milk etc. Stick a
temp guage on the inside of the refrigerator door and check
the temp. Food items will keep longer and taste fresher in the right temp.

 

[Cassie]

I have a thermometer in mine and it is usually between 34 and 40. The biggest problem I have is that the stuff in the bottom freezes. I had the service man out and he replaced the thermostat but the problem still exists. I just have to be sure that there is enough space around the food on the shelves so the cold air can circulate and not form pockets of cold air in places where it can freeze the food. Generally the food in my crisper drawers freezes first. It has been a problem with this particular refrig to keep the temp consistent throughout the box.

Any suggestions on this?

HS -- do you mean that 37 degrees is the maximum? What is considered the "right temperature?"

 

[Homestyle]

I don't let my temp get over 38' and that temp is taken in the door storage. If your fridge is a frost free 70's or 80's model you will save a bundle on your electric bill if you get a newer model. Our old refrig was using $49 a month in electricity! Our new side by side saved enough in electric costs to pay for itself.

I just had Sears out to check my freezer because I noticed it was running all the time. It seems Sears put the wrong oil in the compressors that was put in freezers and refrigerators and the bad oil was building up film and clogging up the strainer basket making the compressor over work just to maintain temp, and not all the coils were getting circulation which will indicate to some repairman will think you need coolant when you don't. If you have a Kenmore made in 98 or 99 call Sears and have the compressor replaced. It isn't costing me a cent for the repair because Sears knew the oil was bad and they just wait for the repair call on them.

 

[Cassie]

HS,

Our frig was new last July, 2001. Supposed to be economical to run, but because it is frost free it runs 80% of the time. They say this is normal. I would think it would use more juice than the older ones but they say not.

I will put the thermometer in the door and check the temp there to be sure.

Thanks for the tip!

Cassie