A refrigerator thermometer may be a useful gizmo for checking the temperature inside the fridge. It is very important to know the exact temperature inside the refrigerator because this allows people to know whether the temperature is ideal for food or not. The ideal temperature for cooling food inside the fridge is 37 degrees Fahrenheit. How to Calibrate a Refrigerator Thermometer general.
Any higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the food will spoil easily, likewise, if it’s lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit, the food may burn from freezing.
The refrigerator thermometer also allows owners to see whether the thermostat must be adjusted. However, the refrigerator thermometer requires proper calibration so as to offer an accurate reading. Here are two methods to use.
Prepare One of How to Calibrate a Refrigerator Thermometer
Determine whether to use the boiling point method or the freezing point method. The boiling point method can be used ideally in elevations that are 1000 feet or less above sea level. The freezing point method can be used regardless of the elevation. Better yet, try both methods for comparison.
Prepare the boiling water as well as the ice if there isn’t any ice available yet. While expecting the water to boil or the water to freeze, check where the calibration nut on the thermometer is found. This nut will enable thermometer adjustments.
However, digital thermometers don’t have a nut, but a push-button instead. This button only needs to be pressed after following the steps below.
Prepare Two of Use the Calibrations Methods
To use the boiling point method, simply place the thermometer probe or stem into the container with boiling water and wait for at least 30-seconds or until the indicator on the thermometer stops moving.
The reading on the thermometer should be 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
To use the freezing point method, fill the container with crushed ice until it is full. Add a little tap water to the container to fill in the gaps. Place the thermometer probe or stem into the container and wait until the indicator stops moving or await a minimum of 30 seconds.
The temperature should be at 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If this reading is achieved, then the thermometer is properly calibrated. If not, then proceed to the next step.
Prepare Three of Calibrate the Refrigerator Thermometer
To calibrate the thermometer, find the adjuster nut and easily turn it until it reaches the right temperature. If using the boiling point method, the temperature should be 212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius.
Refrigerator Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan of your refrigerator is found within the freezer compartment. It receives the air coming from the evaporator coil and proceeds to circulate the air into the whole unit.
It functions closely with the damper assembly of your refrigerator that is responsible for controlling how much cold air gets to be distributed into the fresh food compartment of your refrigerator.
Function and Operation
In normal circumstances, the evaporator fan should function in conjunction with the compressor. However, you will know when your evaporator fan has been damaged because it will affect the performance of your compressor.
If the evaporator fan stops turning, the cold control sensing bulbs of your fresh food compartment will notice that there is no more airflow.
The sensing bulbs will signal the compressor to work longer to compensate for the lack of airflow. What ultimately happens is that your evaporator coils will freeze over hence increasing the temperature of your freezer.
Maintenance: How to Calibrate a Refrigerator Thermometer
When you do not defrost your refrigerator properly, the evaporator may ice up and cause an obstruction in the blades. Before you have somebody take a look at your refrigerator, switch off the power, and open up your evaporator fan to check that there are no blockages preventing the movement of the fan blades.
Troubleshooting a Refrigerator Start Relay
A refrigerator start relay may be a device that jump-starts the compressor inside the refrigerator. If the refrigerator start relay is burned out, then the compressor might not work and therefore the interior won’t freeze.
Since the compressor may be a vital part of the cooling system, it must have a working refrigerator start relay so as to figure out.
If the refrigerator is warming up and making some strange clicking noise, this might be a sign of a damaged refrigerator start relay.
Prepare One of Remove the Relay for Testing
As mentioned above, the relays are often damaged when a loud click is heard occasionally whenever the compressor is warming up.
However, the refrigerator start relay has got to be far away from the system so as to possess it checked. Before removing it from the system, make sure to unplug the unit first.
The relay is found at the rear bottom of the fridge. Simply remove the guard cover from the rear of the unit to show the compressor. Near the compressor may be a small box with wires beginning of it.
This is the relay. Older units usually have a wire-wound relay that can be easily spotted because these units have a visible copper wound around a plunger. Newer units are solid-state relays that require special equipment for checking.
These relays easily get fried, unlike the wire-wound relay.
Prepare Two of How to Calibrate a Refrigerator Thermometer
If the relay has terminals that are badly corroded, it may need to be replaced. However, some relays just need to be cleaned in order to work again. Make use of a metal cleaner to remove the corrosion and place it back again.
Try to check if this solves the problem. If the relay still doesn’t work, then it’s going to have burned out.
Prepare Three of Check for Bad Start Relays
There are a couple of methods to see whether the beginning relay is functioning fine or not. The solid-state relays can be easily tested by removing them from the compressor and shaking it.
If it creates a rattling sound, then it is indeed burned out. To make sure, have it checked by a professional. For wire-wound relays, they will be checked using an ohmmeter. There are usually three terminals on the relay two usual terminals marked S and M and a slip-on terminal marked L.
To check if the relay has continuity, place the two probes of the tester on the two terminals S and M.
The reading should be zero. With the probe still touching the terminals, flip the relay over. This time, a click should be heard and therefore the tester should read infinity.
Do the same steps but with the probes touching the terminals S and L. The results should be the same. Do the same test with the probes on terminals M and L. This time, the reading should be zero even when it is flipped over.
If not, replace the relay with a replacement one. Make sure to get an equivalent sort of relay from the availability store.
Troubleshooting a Noisy Refrigerator
If your refrigerator seems to be getting louder, you’ll study the causes of refrigerator noises and alleviate the matter. Once you identify where the noise is coming from, you can proceed with any repairs or service to your fridge.
Noise Coming From the Back
If the offending noise is coming from the rear of the fridge, there are three possible components that would be making the noise: the condenser fan, the defrost timer, or the compressor.
The condenser fan is found within the back of the fridge not too far away from the compressor, behind a protective panel. If the noise appears to come from that area, it could be caused by an unbalanced fan resulting from dust or lint accumulation between the fan blades.
But before attempting any repairs on a fridge unplug it from its outlet to ensure you will not end up getting a serious shock, you don’t create a short circuit, or a moving part like a lover doesn’t harm you while starting unexpectedly.
If there is something in the way, there is also a chance a fan could get damaged while uncovered.
Types of How to Calibrate a Refrigerator Thermometer
The next step is to get to the condenser fan. After removing the protective cover, give it a thorough inspection looking for the damaged blade(s) or dirt buildups on the blades.
Use a soft brush to clean between the fan blades, but if there doesn’t appear to be any debris buildup, you may have to replace the motor as the noise will be indicating that it is faulty.
The compressor is often found on the surface of the fridge, within the bottom at the rear. It’s a big black unit, quite heavy, and sitting on four rubber mounts that absorb its vibrations while running.
It also has copper tubing and wires running from it. If the noise is coming from the compressor, it could be from a faulty timed relay controlling the starting of the compressor or it could be from the compressor itself. Either way, you will have to replace the defective part.
This is a costly replacement if it is about the compressor itself, so make sure you’re troubleshooting your refrigerator correctly to avoid unnecessary and expensive part replacements.
The defrost timer is often located in several places counting on the make and model of the fridge. It’s a small plastic unit, usually white in color, and it usually has four terminals extending from it on one side.
The most likely places where it can be found is behind the kick plate, behind the fridge on the back wall, or in the refrigerator’s control panel. If the noise comes from inside the control, it will have to be replaced, but on a lighter note, it’s not expensive to buy and you can replace it yourself.
Noise Coming From the Inside
If you’ve got a self-defrosting fridge, the noise is presumably coming from within. This is because these sorts of refrigerators use a lover to circulate air through the fridge and freezer. The fan is situated within the freezer, but exactly where will depend upon the type of fridge you’ve got.
To test if the noise being made is from the circulation fan, open your freezer and push within the light switch. If the noise becomes louder, you will know it’s from the fan. This fan is usually protected by a plastic cover, behind which the sunshine is usually hidden from view.
If the freezer gets overfilled with frozen food, it’s possible this cover may have been accidentally displaced against the fan blades causing the noise. Check by unclipping and removing the duvet, and after inspecting the fan blades for damage, if all is sweet, replace the duvet and retry. If the noise persists, the part will need to be replaced.
Noise Coming From the Bottom
The easiest repair to form is when a rattling noise is coming from the rock bottom of the fridge. In this case, the most likely culprit is the drain pan that sits under the fridge. This pan can start to rattle from time to time so all you need to do is secure it back in place to make the noise stop.
Troubleshooting an Ice Maker: Ice Tastes Bad
If the ice you’re getting from your kitchen appliance features a foul taste, don’t attempt to ignore it. Troubleshoot the problem immediately and take the steps to get rid of that terrible scenario.
Clean the Freezer
Nasty-tasting ice could also be the result of food gone bad or a spill in your freezer. Take everything out of the freezer. Throw away anything that has gone bad and wipe down everything in the freezer, then give the same treatment to the refrigerator. Bad smells from the fridge can migrate to the freezer and ruin the taste of your ice.
Use a mild cleaner and a damp cloth to wipe down the walls, the top and bottom, the racks, the drawers, and the shelves in the refrigerator and the freezer.
If you like, you can make a vinegar solution with a little bit of baking soda, which is an odor-absorber, for a natural option.
Start Over With Fresh Water
Get rid of all that bad-tasting ice so it doesn’t continue to contaminate the system. Most ice makers have a large tray or bin where ice gets stored if there’s any ice in your freezer, throw it in the sink after you’ve thoroughly cleaned everything so your ice maker will create new ice.
Don’t forget to empty the water reservoir as well, if your machine has one.
Make sure you turn off your ice maker before you empty it. Look for a drain plug to make the job of emptying a little easier. If you are going to require the entire kitchen appliance out of the freezer, disconnect the water system line.
Before you set the kitchen appliance back within the freezer, clean it out also. It should get the same thorough treatment as your freezer and fridge. Wipe the kitchen appliance down inside and out, then put it back within the freezer and switch it back on.
A little bit more vinegar cleaner will remove any lingering smells. check on the How to Calibrate a Refrigerator Thermometer.
Change the Filters
If the ice still tastes bad, try doing a little bit of maintenance. Check your kitchen appliance to ascertain if it’s a filter. There may be an access panel that can be opened up.
Does Your Water Taste Bad?
Get a glass and taste your tap water. Does it also taste bad? Sometimes, tap water doesn’t taste so great. You might not even realize it because you drink bottled water even when you’re at home.
If your water doesn’t have an honest taste, disconnected the kitchen appliance supply route and fill your kitchen appliance up with bottled or filtered water.
Meanwhile, you can replace your refrigerator’s water filter (if you have one) or call your utility company to ask them why your water tastes so awful, which it absolutely should not.
What Does It Taste Like?
If your ice features a plastic-like taste thereto, you almost certainly just have a more modern kitchen appliance that hasn’t been used much. That taste will go away over time, and you can speed up the process by emptying the ice a few times.
If you’re getting a coppery taste, the chrome coating on your ice maker prongs may have worn off, exposing the metal. Until you replace those prongs or the whole kitchen appliance, your ice will still have that copper taste.
Or does your ice taste like food? Refrigerators have evaporator systems to remove smells. If your fridge doesn’t have a strong evaporator system, your ice cubes could end up tasting like garlic, onions, and other highly-aromatic foods you may have stored in there.
Make sure you’re storing your leftovers and your aromatics (like garlic bulbs and whole onions) in air-tight containers. Next, pop a box of baking soda in the fridge and another in the freezer.
This actually works! Baking soda soaks up bad smells to keep them from contaminating your ice. Replace the boxes once every two months or so they lose their odor-absorbing powers over time. Now details of How to Calibrate a Refrigerator Thermometer.
How to Calibrate a Refrigerator Thermometer (FAQs)
Q. How do you calibrate a refrigerator thermostat?
A. To calibrate the thermometer, find the adjuster nut and easily turn it until it reaches the right temperature.
Q. How long does it take for a refrigerator thermometer to adjust?
A. Close the door and wait at least 12 hours to allow the thermometer to get a reading. When you make an adjustment to the temperature of the refrigerator or freezer, you should give it at least 24 hours for the new setting to stabilize before taking another reading.
Q. How do I know if my fridge is cold enough without a thermometer?
A. Checking Temperature with a Container of Water: If the condensation appears quickly that means that the water is very cold. If ice appears, the fridge is too cold. It is supposed to be at 38 degrees. You will want to adjust your controls to make it less cold.
Q. Do thermometers need to be calibrated?
A. Thermometers should be calibrated: before use; if dropped; when going from one temperature range to another; and after extended storage time. In most applications, a thermometer should be within ±1°F or ±0.5°C in comparison to the reference thermometer used for calibration.
Q. How do you calibrate an oral thermometer?
A. Turn the thermometer off and leave it at temperature for a half-hour. Now do the same test all over again using a cup of hot water, then a cup of cold water. Your thermometer is now calibrated and will show accurate temperature readings going forward.
Conclusion on How to Calibrate a Refrigerator Thermometer
Dial Thermometer Calibration: Fill a glass or insulated mug with crushed ice and add water. Stir the glass and let it sit for 5 minutes until all the ice is melting into the water. Check the accuracy by inserting the temperature-sensitive probe into the center of the cup of melting ice and water (32°F, 0°C).
If you interested in checking other how do thermometer measure be sure to check the How do Thermometers Measure Temperature and these other articles.
