3 Signs Your Freezer Is Too Cold—and Fast Fixes for the Perfect Chill

It seems like "the colder, the better" should be the name of the game with your freezer, to help keep your frozen meat and produce (and that all-important ice cream) well preserved. But you should watch out for signs that your freezer is too cold, as that could actually cause some serious problems with your food, your freezer, and your electric bill as well.

We've got you covered with the signs to watch for that your freezer is too cold—and some super-simple solutions that'll get you to just the right chill in no time flat.

How to Tell If Your Freezer Is Too Cold

Your food gets freezer burn

Freezer burn is often a sign that your food isn't wrapped properly before freezing to keep air away from the food's surface. (It's exposure to air that usually causes the dreaded freezer burn.) But if you're seeing it on a lot of your frozen foods, it can also be a sign that your freezer is too cold or your freezer temperature is fluctuating too much.

You see a layer of ice on the walls

One of the surest signs that something's not right in your freezer is a layer of frost or ice on the walls. Layers of ice in your freezer can block air vents and freezer sensors, so it could create issues with your freezer's performance and keep your freezer at a temperature that's too low.

The freezer temperature is below zero degrees Fahrenheit

It may seem like colder is better when you're talking about protecting your frozen meat or produce for months at a time, but setting your freezer below zero degrees Fahrenheit won't preserve your food any more effectively—but it will drive up your energy bills.

What to Do If Your Freezer Is Too Cold

There are a number of things you can do to address a freezer that's too cold—and fortunately, most of them are pretty simple to accomplish.

Adjust the thermostat

If your thermostat is set too low, it'll take two seconds to reset it to the ideal zero-degree freezer temperature. Just keep in mind that you won't see the difference in your freezer right away: It'll take about a day for the adjustment to take effect.

Check the vents

Is ice or food blocking the vents in your freezer? Anything that blocks the vents could keep the air from circulating properly, resulting in a sub-zero freezer temperature, and temperature fluctuations in your fridge, too. If it's just food packaging, a good freezer reorganization (and a cleanout of any old or expired food) will help take care of the issue.

Make sure your freezer door seals tight

Gaps along your freezer door could cause temperature regulation issues that may lead to a too-cold freezer. Clean the door seals and adjust hinges to ensure it seals well.

Defrost the freezer

If you have ice blocking the vents and all over the walls, you may need to defrost your freezer to get it back into tip-top shape. And many refrigerator manufacturers recommend defrosting the freezer annually to minimize the chances of To defrost your freezer:

• Unload the food. Have coolers and plenty of ice on hand to keep your food cool.
• Place thick towels around the freezer. The towels will help sop up the melted water.
• Unplug the freezer and let the ice melt. Keep the freezer door open and run a fan toward into it to help speed up the process.
• Clean out your freezer. Wipe out all the remaining water, and give the inside a good scrub with a mixture of baking soda and water.
• Turn your freezer back on. You'll need to wait several hours for your freezer to be cool enough to put your food back in.

Clean the condenser coils

The condenser coils are key to keeping your fridge and freezer running optimally—and if they're covered in dirt, it can cause issues with temperature regulation. Give them a good vacuum or dust regularly to keep them clean.

What to Do If Your Freezer Is Still Too Cold

If even a good defrost doesn't do the trick and your freezer is still too cold, it may be time to call in the pros. There can be other issues that cause problems with your freezer's temperature regulation, such as a problem with your thermostat or a broken evaporator fan that may need a repair pro's knowledge to figure out and fix.