How Long Does It Take for a Refrigerator to Get Cold?

When you get a new refrigerator or after you’ve moved one to a new place, you may wonder how long it will take to get cold enough to store your food. The answer isn’t always straightforward, but don’t worry! In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to know, from the factors that affect cooling time to helpful tips that can speed up the process. Let’s dive into how long it typically takes and why it might vary for your refrigerator.

Factors That Affect How Long It Takes a Refrigerator to Get Cold

Understanding how long it takes for a refrigerator to cool down depends on various factors. It’s not just about the model or how you set it up. Several things affect how quickly a fridge reaches the right temperature for storing food. These include:

Fridge Size: Larger refrigerators generally take longer to cool down because they have more space and require more energy to lower the temperature evenly. Smaller fridges usually cool down faster.
Room Temperature: If your refrigerator is in a warmer room, it might take longer to cool. The temperature of the room around the fridge plays a big role in how efficiently it works. If the room is cold, your fridge will cool down quicker.
Type of Refrigerator: Some models are designed to cool faster than others. A basic fridge may take longer than a high-efficiency or newer model. If it’s a side-by-side or French door fridge, these can sometimes take longer due to the larger space they need to cool.
How Full the Fridge Is: If you’ve just placed a lot of warm food inside, the fridge will take longer to reach the desired temperature. It’s like trying to cool a huge pot of soup—it takes more time to bring down the temperature of a large quantity than a small one.
Settings and Temperature Controls: The setting of your refrigerator plays a role too. If you’ve just installed the fridge, the factory settings might not be set for the optimal cooling temperature, so make sure it’s set to around 37-40°F (3-4°C).
Recent Installation: If the refrigerator is brand new, it’s likely that the cooling system needs some time to settle in. It’s common for new fridges to take a bit longer on their first cooling cycle.

Now that we know what affects the cooling time, let’s break down what you can expect for different fridge types.

How Long Does It Take for Different Fridge Types to Cool Down?

Not all refrigerators are created equal, and the type you have can make a big difference in how long it takes to cool down. Let’s go through some common types of fridges and see what you can expect for each:

Top-Freezer Refrigerators

A typical top-freezer fridge usually takes between 4 to 6 hours to cool down, but it might need up to 24 hours to reach the optimal cold temperature, especially if it’s a new one. The freezer at the top helps with cooling, but it also means the fridge section may take a little longer to cool down as it needs to reach the right temperature.

Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators

Bottom-freezer fridges can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to cool down. These fridges generally use a more efficient cooling system, but the larger size of the fridge section compared to the freezer can make the cooling time a little longer. After the first few hours, it should reach a good, cold temperature, but again, it can take a full 24 hours to fully settle.

Side-by-Side Refrigerators

Side-by-side refrigerators, with their larger capacity and dual compartments, can sometimes take up to 24 hours to cool down completely. These fridges have a more complex system that can take a bit longer to balance the cooling between the fridge and freezer sections.

French Door Refrigerators

French door fridges are similar to side-by-side fridges in terms of cooling time. They can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours to cool down and may take a full 24 hours to reach their optimal cold temperature. The more spacious interior requires a bit more time to cool, especially if you’ve added food that’s warm.

Mini Fridges

Mini fridges typically cool down faster than full-size ones. If you’ve just plugged in a mini fridge, you can expect it to take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to get cold. It’s not as big, so it doesn’t need as much time to adjust to the right temperature.

Built-In Refrigerators

Built-in fridges, which are often part of the kitchen cabinetry, can sometimes take a little longer to cool down because they may not have as much air circulation as freestanding models. They can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours, and like other types, a full 24 hours may be needed for them to reach the ideal temperature.

Now, let’s look at some helpful tips for speeding up the cooling process.

Tips to Speed Up the Cooling Process of Your Refrigerator

While you can’t rush the process entirely, there are things you can do to help your fridge cool down faster. Here are some tips to make sure your refrigerator gets cold more efficiently:

Avoid Opening the Door: It’s tempting to check the fridge’s progress by opening the door, but each time you do that, warm air enters, slowing down the cooling process. Leave the door closed as much as possible.
Set the Right Temperature: Double-check the temperature setting on your fridge. The recommended temperature is around 37-40°F (3-4°C) for the fridge and 0°F (-18°C) for the freezer. Adjusting the thermostat can help your fridge cool down faster if it’s too high.
Give It Space: Ensure there’s enough room around your fridge for air to circulate. If it’s too close to the wall or cabinet, it might overheat and take longer to cool down.
Wait Before Adding Warm Food: If you’ve just plugged in the fridge, avoid putting hot or warm food inside. Wait for the fridge to cool to the right temperature before you store food in it.
Keep It Empty at First: If possible, try to leave the fridge empty for the first few hours. A fridge that’s packed with food will take longer to cool. If you can, give it time to cool down on its own first.
Use Ice: If you need the fridge to cool down quickly and it’s a hot day, try putting bags of ice inside the fridge. Ice will lower the temperature inside faster than if the fridge is empty.

These tips will help you get the most efficient cooling possible, but remember that it can still take some time for your fridge to reach the ideal temperature.

How Long Before I Can Put Food in the Fridge?

Once your fridge has cooled down, the next question is: when can you start putting food in it? If you’ve just plugged in a new fridge, you’ll want to wait until the temperature reaches the optimal setting.

For most fridges, this will take about 6 to 12 hours, but it’s best to wait up to 24 hours for the fridge to stabilize completely. If you’re in a rush and need to use the fridge before that, here’s a simple way to check if it’s ready:

Use a thermometer: Place a fridge thermometer inside and wait to see if it reads around 37°F (3°C). If it does, you’re good to go. If not, give it more time.

By following this step, you can make sure that your food stays at the right temperature and remains safe to eat.

I hope this article helped you understand how long it takes for a refrigerator to get cold, and now you can make sure yours is cooling efficiently. Remember, different types of fridges take different amounts of time, so be patient and follow our tips for the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to put food in the fridge before it’s fully cold?

It’s best to wait until your fridge reaches the ideal temperature before adding food. This will ensure your food stays at a safe temperature.

Can I speed up the cooling process by turning the fridge to the coldest setting?

Setting your fridge to the coldest setting can help it cool down faster, but avoid keeping it there for too long as it can cause unnecessary wear on the fridge.

Do I need to leave the fridge door open to cool it faster?

No, it’s actually better to keep the fridge door closed as much as possible to avoid warm air entering, which can slow down the cooling process.

Is it safe to put warm food in the fridge right away?

It’s better to wait until your fridge is cold before adding warm food. Placing warm food inside can raise the temperature inside the fridge and affect its cooling efficiency.

Can a refrigerator cool down faster if it’s empty?

Yes, an empty fridge cools down faster than a full one because there’s less mass inside to cool down, and air can circulate more freely.

Do I need to worry about my fridge being too cold?

As long as your fridge stays between 37-40°F (3-4°C), your food will stay fresh and safe. A fridge that’s too cold can freeze some items unnecessarily.

Is it normal for my fridge to take a long time to cool down when it’s new?

Yes, it’s normal for a new fridge to take longer to cool down. It might take up to 24 hours for it to stabilize after installation.

Can the room temperature affect how long my fridge takes to cool down?

Yes, the room temperature can impact how quickly your fridge cools down. A warm room can slow down the process, while a cooler room can help it cool faster.