Where is it colder in the refrigerator?

When answering the question of where it is coldest in the refrigerator, many refer to the laws of physics. The reasoning goes as follows: cold air is heavier than warm air, so the coolest place in the refrigeration equipment is the bottom, while the top part is warmest. Despite the inviolability of the physical provisions, the temperature distribution inside the chambers is not so unambiguous. Much depends on the design of the refrigerator. The unit itself may consist of one chamber or two. Let's try to consider the design features of each device and find out to what extent it depends on them

Single chamber refrigeration units

The unique design of a refrigerator with one chamber

The freezer in devices with one chamber is usually located in the upper part. The cold air produced in the evaporator of this compartment, according to the laws of physics, moves downwards. Some obstacles to proper air circulation are shelves lined with products. The material from which they are made also plays a significant role.It’s one thing when it’s a lattice metal surface, another thing when it’s solid glass or plastic. Thus, free movement of air masses is possible only between the freezer compartment and the top shelf.

Important! Modern single-chamber units have a special valve located in the freezer tray. The function of this element is the ability to create additional cooling of products in the refrigerator compartment, the degree of which directly depends on its position.

Which shelves are the coldest in single-chamber refrigerators?

The coldest place is under the freezer. Cooling of the space between the first (top) and second shelves is achieved, but its degree is lower than at the previous level. Similarly, everything happens further, each subsequent storage area turns out to be warmer. Thus, the temperature at the very bottom of the refrigerator is higher than at the top. The considered feature of single-chamber units, of course, is to some extent conventional.

Since a fairly large number of factors influence the temperature distribution inside the device: the nature of the zoning of the refrigeration chamber, the material from which the shelves are made, the degree of use of the useful volume of the equipment, the shape of the products or containers, etc.

Double chamber refrigeration units

The unique design of a refrigerator with two chambers

Double-chamber refrigeration units have a different design, so the location of the freezer does not significantly affect the temperature inside them. By the way, it can be located both at the bottom of the device and at the top. Moreover, there is an impressive dividing partition between the compartments.Another feature of two-chamber refrigeration equipment is the fact that each compartment is equipped with its own evaporator.

Plus, the equipment in question has a forced convection system, for which special fans are installed on the rear wall. The task of the latter comes down to the uniform distribution of cold air inside the chambers.

Which shelves are the coldest in two-chamber refrigerators?

The lowest temperatures will, of course, be in the freezer. In baskets installed on the door of this compartment, the temperature will be several degrees higher. In the refrigerator compartment, the coolest place will be the lower part (the “zero” zone) and the space near the evaporator openings.

There is usually a large box intended for storing meat and fish. Above there is a compartment for storing vegetables and fruits, where the temperature stays around 4 °C. The topmost shelves will have the highest temperature, This also applies to the door - about 8 °C.

Useful tips

Long-term storage of meat involves freezing, so its place is in the freezer. The meat is first divided into pieces and placed in plastic bags. Storing milk, dairy products and eggs on the door is not recommended because the former require low temperatures, but for eggs consistency is important. Therefore, it is better to place milk on the lower cold shelf, closer to the back wall; eggs should be kept on the shelf in the container in which they are sold.

Vegetables should be stored in special containers, separately from each other. A special lid will retain moisture, so removing condensation from the back of the package is not required.Tomatoes and potatoes are best stored at room temperature. Fruits do not like high humidity, so in modern devices they have a special place at the bottom of the refrigerator.

It is best to place cooked dishes in the upper compartment. It is worth paying attention to the factory markings, which will tell you on which shelves it is best to store this or that type of product.