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How long does it take a refrigerator to get cold?

Getting a new refrigerator is always exciting. You probably had a few questions when they brought it in, if you are like me. If you forgot what they told you, here are some quick answers for your new refrigerator, including how long it takes a refrigerator to get cold. 

 

How long does it take for a new refrigerator to get cold?

So the big question: how long does it take a fridge to get cold?

Once you get your new fridge and plug it in, you’ll naturally wonder how long it takes for your new refrigerator to get cold. Typically it will take 24 hours for your refrigerator to get cold once you have plugged it in for the first time.

How long does it take for a new refrigerator to get cold

How long should I wait before plugging in my refrigerator?

We got a new fridge, and the movers took it downstairs. They cautioned us that all the freon would need to settle because they had to carry the fridge horizontally. They told us to wait 24 to 48 hours before plugging in the refrigerator because the freon needs to settle for it to function properly. Doing so earlier than that could cause issues. 

Once you have your refrigerator plugged in, you’ll naturally ask, “how long do you have to wait to put food in a new refrigerator? After 24 hours of leaving the refrigerator, plugged in with the door closed so the cold air can build. It should be cool enough for you to start putting food in the refrigerator.

how long does it take a fridge to get cold

Why is my new fridge not cold?

Getting a new refrigerator is very exciting. Fortunately, if you just plugged in your refrigerator and it’s still warm, you’re wondering, “why is my new fridge not cold?”

This is because it takes time for the refrigerator to start the cooling process and cool off both the fridge and the freezer. This process for cooling the refrigerating unit can take up to 24 hours and sometimes longer, depending on conditions.

Once you have plugged it in, leave it alone, don’t keep opening and checking to see if it is cold enough yet. The cooling process takes time, and every time you open the door, warm air gets in and delays your fridge from building up the cold air inside. 

Related: How Long Do Mini Fridges Last?

How long do you have to wait before putting food in a new refrigerator?

You can place food into your refrigerator 2 hours after plugging it in. However, this can take longer for the refrigerator to get to the ideal temperature. If it’s possible to store food elsewhere to speed up the cooling process, then it’s a good idea to do it. 

 

How to make your refrigerator cool faster

There is no secret to making your refrigerator cool faster once you plug it into the electrical outlet for the first time. Some refrigerators may have a Turbo Cool mode, but the best way for a refrigerator to get to the right temperature is to give it the 24-hours it needs to get to the right temperature.

The other thing is not to open the door during that time. When you open the door, the cold air comes out, and you inevitably delay how fast the refrigerator will actually cool off, much like if you turned on the air conditioning and then opened all the windows.

Eventually, it cools off. But it takes a lot longer and wastes a lot of money. 

 

Other notes about your new refrigerator

How long does it take for a new refrigerator to get cold

Once you plug in your refrigerator and listen for the compressor to click on, you should be able to hear it and know that it is fully operational. Open the fridge door to see if the light comes in the refrigerator immediately after you plug it in. 

One thing to look out for is some refrigerators turn onto a default Demo Mode, as this is common for floor models in stores. Make sure to turn off demo mode after you turn on your refrigerator after you plug it in. Demo mode is designed to save power in-store so you can see all the aspects of the fridge, such as the shelving, lighting storage on the fridge door, etc… but there is no cooling process going on.

Otherwise, you could wait 24 hours and find out that it hasn’t been cooling the whole time because demo mode typically does not fully cool the refrigerator.

Note: You should refrain from putting food in your fridge until the fridge thermometer indicates the right temperature. Failure to do so means you could have warm food for a longer time, and it could spoil or lead to food poisoning. 

Related: Can You Put a Mini Fridge on Carpet?

What is the right temperature to store food in a refrigerator?

 The FDA recommends that your refrigerator temperature is at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This proper temperature is a key feature in slowing the bacterial growth in your food. This is optimal for avoiding things like food poisoning and food spoiling fast. 

 

How long will my refrigerator take to make ice?

Once you have plugged in your refrigerator and waited for the 24 hours needed, you can start to make ice. Depending on the temperature in the freezer, it can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours for the fridge freezer to make its first set of ice cubes. Make sure that the water connection is secure and turned on so that the water can start flowing through to the refrigerator. 

 

How long does it take my fridge to start cooling and freezing?

As soon as you plug your refrigerator in, you should hear the compressor click on within a matter of minutes, and at that point, it will start to cool. It will take several hours, however, for the refrigerator and freezer to reach the desired temperature.

Thinking a mini fridge is a good idea? See how many watts a mini fridge uses and what it will cost you.  

 

How long does it take the refrigerator to get cool after being off?

If you have been out of the house for a while or have a fridge that you haven’t been using and decided to unplug, it will still take 24 hours for the refrigerator to cool off again. 

If the power has gone out and the fridge has stayed closed the whole time, it can take an hour or more, depending on how long the power has been out, for it to get back to its normal cooling temperature.

Kitchen pantry getting low? Make sure you get our Kitchen Essentials Checklist with everything you need for a well stocked kitchen.

 

How long does it take a refrigerator to get cold summary

Now that you have your new fridge, you will be excited to get it plugged in and running but make sure you follow the steps above to start your fridge in the right working order to give it the best possible chance to run smoothly for years to come. 

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