How long does a fridge takes to get cold is a well-known query for almost everyone who wants to buy a new fridge. Well, the answer is a little bit complex as a new fridge takes a different time to get cold before use due to its type and brand. Many brands in the market offer different types of refrigerators with different cooling times.
Although, it takes almost 2 to 24 hours for a refrigerator to get cold. The more specific you are with your brand and type, the more accurate answer you’ll get. Don’t worry as the team of styleofhome.com is here to cover detailed information about how long does a fridge take to get cold.
How Long Does A Fridge Take To Get Cold?
![How Long A Fridge Take To Get Cold How Long Does A Fridge Take To Get Cold?](https://styleofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-Long-A-Fridge-Take-To-Get-Cold.jpg)
Regular-sized fridges take different amounts of time to get cold. According to the FDA, it might take around 12 hours for the refrigerator to cool to 40℉, which is safe for food. But this can change based on the brand and type of fridge. It could be anywhere from 2 to 24 hours.
Mini-fridges usually cool down faster as compared to bigger refrigerators. Although there are many brands in the market with different types of refrigerators for you to purchase as per your desire and needs.
How Long Does A New Fridge Take To Get Cold?
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How fast a new fridge gets cold depends on its type, size, and how cold you set it. Most new fridges can cool down in a few hours after you plug them in. But it’s best to wait about a day, or 24 hours before you put your food inside. That gives the fridge enough time to get really cold.
While it’s cooling, the fridge’s compressor works to make the inside cold by moving cold air around. The temperature outside and the starting temperature of the things you put in can also affect how quickly it cools down.
How Long Does A Fridge Freezer Take To Get Cold?
![How Long Does A Fridge Freezer Take To Get Cold How Long Does A Fridge Freezer Take To Get Cold?](https://styleofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-Long-Does-A-Fridge-Freezer-Take-To-Get-Cold.jpg)
A fridge freezer takes different time to get cold due to its type and brand. These fridge freezers are further divided into two categories. The first one is the Bottom Freezer and the second is the Top Freezer. Above this, many brands offer different cooling times from 2 to 24 hours. Although, below are the cooling times of a fridge freezer.
- The bottom Freezer of LG Electronics takes 2-3 hours of cooling time.
- The bottom Freezer of Whirlpool takes 24 hours of cooling time.
- The bottom Freezer of GE takes 24 hours of cooling time.
- The bottom Freezer of Samsung takes 2 hours of cooling time.
- The top Freezer of Magic Chef takes 4 hours of cooling time.
- The Top Freezer of Frigidaire takes 8 hours of cooling time.
- The top Freezer of Whirlpool takes 24 hours of cooling time.
These are the average cooling times of the fridge freezers. A slight change in cooling time may occur due to the factors that impact the cooling time of the refrigerator.
How Long Does A Mini Fridge Take To Get Cold?
![How Long Does A Mini Fridge Take To Get Cold How Long Does A Mini Fridge Take To Get Cold?](https://styleofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-Long-Does-A-Mini-Fridge-Take-To-Get-Cold.jpg)
A mini fridge takes almost the same time. Many brands like Galanz, Magic Chef, and Frigidaire offer mini-fridges. These mini fridges take almost 4 hours to get cold. After that, you can use the refrigerator to store your food.
But keep in mind, that some factors impact the cooling time of refrigerators. Also, please keep the door shut or open it when it is needed. Below is a table of different types of refrigerators of different brands showing their cooling time.
SR No. | Refrigerator Type | Brand | Cooling Time |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Bottom Freezer |
LG Electronics | 2-3 Hours |
Whirlpool | 24 Hours | ||
GE | 24 Hours | ||
Samsung | 2 Hours | ||
2 |
French Door |
LG Electronics | 2-3 Hours |
GE | 24 Hours | ||
Samsung | 2 Hours | ||
3 |
Side By Side |
Frigidaire | 8-12 Hours |
Samsung | 2 Hours | ||
Whirlpool | 24 Hours | ||
4 |
Top Freezer |
Magic Chef | 4 Hours |
Frigidaire | 8 Hours | ||
Whirlpool | 24 Hours | ||
5 |
Mini Fridge |
Galanz | 4 Hours |
Magic Chef | 4 Hours | ||
Frigidaire | 4 Hours |
Find Out Your Refrigerator’s Cooling Time
![Find Out Your Refrigerator’s Cooling Time Find Out Your Refrigerator’s Cooling Time](https://styleofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Find-Out-Your-Refrigerators-Cooling-Time.jpg)
To figure out how long it takes for your fridge to cool down, you can:
- Look in the installation guide, user manual, or on the manufacturer’s website for information.
- Search for the brand and model number on Google. Some retail sites might list cooling time.
- If you download the installation guide, you can search for the word “hours” to find details about cooling time.
Factors that Impact Refrigerator Cooling Time
![Factors that Impact Refrigerator Cooling Time Factors that Impact Refrigerator Cooling Time](https://styleofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Factors-that-Impact-Refrigerator-Cooling-Time.jpg)
What decides how long it takes for a fridge to cool down? Well, there are several things to consider, such as:
- Empty or Loaded: A fridge works better when it’s filled with food. That’s because there’s less space for warm air, which helps it stay cold. But when you’re first cooling it down, it’s better not to put anything inside.
- Fridge location: Don’t let the fridge touch the wall. The fridge’s heat needs space to escape. If it’s too close to the wall, the heat can’t escape.
- Size: It’s not always true for every fridge, but usually, bigger fridges take longer to cool down. Some small fridges only take four hours to cool, but many larger fridges take about 24 hours.
- Storage Temperature: If a fridge is kept in a hot place or storage area before it gets to your house, it will start warmer. So it will need more time to get down to 40°F.
- Food Temperature: When you put warm food in the fridge, it can make the inside warmer or take longer to cool down. It’s better to let food cool down before you store it in the fridge.
- Age & Condition: Older fridges don’t cool as fast as newer ones. If the coils are dirty, it slows down cooling. Also, if some parts aren’t working right, like the thermostat, air vents, door seal, or compressor, the fridge won’t cool down quickly.
- Ice Placement Inside: You can speed up the cooling by putting some ice in the freezer. The ice gives off cold temperatures and helps cool the fridge faster.
- Keep the Door Shut: When you’re cooling down the fridge, keep the door shut. If you open it, the cold air goes out and warm air comes in, making it take longer to cool.
Here are some simple tips to help the fridge cool down faster. Only open the door when it is needed. Make sure air can move around easily by putting the fridge a few inches away from the wall. Keep the coils clean and put the plug into the right outlet for safety.
What Should I Do If My Fridge Isn’t Getting Cold Enough?
![What Should I Do If My Fridge Isn't Getting Cold Enough What Should I Do If My Fridge Isn't Getting Cold Enough?](https://styleofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/What-Should-I-Do-If-My-Fridge-Isnt-Getting-Cold-Enough.jpg)
If your fridge stops working or there’s no power, you can keep things cool by putting cold foods close together. This stops warm air from getting in. Wrap meat, poultry, or fish in frozen veggies, fries, or fruit to keep them cold. Bags of frozen peas can help too. Try to open the fridge only when you really need to and get things out quickly.
How to Check if Your Fridge Is Cold Enough?
![How to Check if Your Fridge Is Cold Enough How to Check if Your Fridge Is Cold Enough?](https://styleofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Check-if-Your-Fridge-Is-Cold-Enough.jpg)
The FDA says fridges should be 40℉ or lower, and freezers should be at 0℉. It’s important to keep an eye on the temperature in case it changes. This could mean something’s wrong with the fridge. You can check the temperature using a fridge thermometer. Some fridges have a digital display on the control panel to check the temperature.
Conclusion
Usually, it takes about 12 hours for refrigerators to cool down, but this can vary from 2 to 24 hours depending on the brand. Check your installation guide for the exact time. Don’t put food in the fridge until it’s cooled down to 40°F. You can also speed up the cooling by following the above-mentioned tips. And remember, be patient and keep the door closed for effective cooling.
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