How to Set Up Freezer Temperature Checks
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How to Set Up Freezer Temperature Checks
Date modified: 1st June 2025 | This article has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email. Or book a demo to see how hospitality businesses use Pilla to manage food safety.
TLDR: About Freezer Temperature Checks
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Freezer's temperature is an important factor in maintaining the quality and safety of frozen food. The ideal freezer temperature is -18°C (0°F) or below or colder.
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Freezing foods to a minimum of -18°C ensures that all bacterial activity ceases, both pathogenic and spoilage organisms are rendered dormant. Higher temperatures above -15°C will allow spoilage organisms to start multiplying very slowly. Food not stored correctly at -18°C or colder will undergo spoilage affecting the food's quality.
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You should check and record the temperature of every freezer unit twice per day. Pilla has a pre-built fridge temperature check inside which includes all of the inputs for staff to record compliant checks.
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If anything goes wrong such as a freezer breakdown, highlight the issue using the using 'Issue' button and follow the corrective actions below. Record everything that you do as a post inside the freezer temperature check so you are create a full digital paper-trail of compliance.
Demo: Setting up Freezer Temperature Checks in Pilla
- •Click the '+' button underneath any day on the planner to create a new activity and use these settings:
- Name: Freezer Temperatures
- Site: Select the appropriate venue
- Team: Choose the team who will carry out the checks
- Start: Set the start time to be the first time you want the checks to be carried out (this should be a future date and time)
- Finish: Set the date and time that the first checks should be finished by (this is the target finish time)
- Frequency: Set to 'Daily' and select every day that you are open
- Tag: Add the relevant Tag (most likely Kitchen Checks unless you've created another one) - •Click 'Create' to create the activity
- •Click 'Add Check' and use the dropdown menu to select 'Freezer Temperature'.
You will need to add two of these checks for each freezer unit you have (one AM and one PM check)
Go ahead and add as many as you need and name the name checks (Freezer 1 AM, Freezer 1 PM and so on) - •You now have a recurring daily activity which will have your freezer temperature checks inside. The activity will recreate one day in advance.
Frequently asked questions
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- What's the correct temperature for a freezer?
- The ideal freezer temperature should be -18°C (0°F) or below to halt all bacterial activity, ensuring food safety and preventing spoilage.
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- How often should I check the freezer temperature?
- You should check and record freezer temperatures twice per day to ensure they are maintained at -18°C (0°F) or below. Regularly recording this data helps in maintaining optimal food safety conditions.
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- Can I refreeze food that has started to defrost?
- No, you should never refreeze food that has started to defrost. Once food begins to defrost, it should either be used immediately or discarded to avoid safety risks.
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- What do I do if the freezer temperature goes above -15°C?
- If your freezer temperature rises above -15°C, follow these steps: 1. Wait one hour and check the temperature again. 2. If it remains above -15°C, move all food to another freezer. 3.
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- How do I know if frozen food has gone bad?
- To determine if frozen food has gone bad, look for these signs: grayish-brown leathery spots indicating freezer burn, improper wrapping, and storage above -18°C (0°F).
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- Should I defrost the freezer manually or wait for auto-defrost?
- If your freezer has an auto-defrost feature, it is recommended to use it as this method is the most efficient at maintaining the freezer.
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- Can I still serve food with freezer burn?
- If there's only slight freezer burn, you can cut away the affected areas either before or after cooking. For heavily freezer-burned food, it is best to discard it due to quality concerns.
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- How long can I keep meat in the freezer?
- Fresh meat should ideally be used within one month of freezing to maintain optimal quality.
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- What's the procedure if the freezer breaks down?
- If your freezer breaks down, you should: 1) Check if the food inside is still frozen solid. If yes, quickly transfer it to another freezer.
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- How often should I clean the freezer?
- You should conduct weekly checks on the freezer's condensers, vents, seals, and lids to ensure they are clean and in good condition.
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- What should I check during weekly freezer maintenance?
- During weekly freezer maintenance, ensure to check: 1. Condensers for cleanliness and unblocked paths, 2. Vents to ensure they are clear of debris and allow proper airflow, 3.
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- If the power goes out, how long will food stay frozen?
- If the power goes out, the duration that food will stay frozen depends on not opening the freezer door. If the food remains hard and is covered in ice, it can be transferred to another freezer.
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- What do the grey spots on frozen food mean?
- Grey spots on frozen food, known as freezer burn, occur when air reaches the food's surface, causing dehydration and oxidation.
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- How can I tell if my freezer is overloaded?
- You can determine if your freezer is overloaded by checking for inadequate space around the interior and back of the unit to allow for air circulation.
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- How do I label frozen food properly?
- When labelling frozen food, it's important to include three key pieces of information: the production date, a use-by date (generally one month from production), and the allergens present in the food.
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