Every day, we depend on a wide list of devices and appliances to give us a comfortable standard of living. And yet, we often don’t think about how they are used. Can you tell if these devices are overheating, or even malfunctioning? What is the ideal operating temperature for these devices?
Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best-operating temperatures for the most commonly used equipment in your home. Some listings are for the temperatures achieved as part of its main function, while others are for the heat produced by the device as part of its normal operation.
Make sure your devices remain within normal operating parameters, or else you could risk damaging your household appliances.
Table of Contents
Refrigerator: 37°F
You’ve looked in your fridge countless times searching for something to eat, but probably not to see if the internal temperature is properly set. But because your fridge contains a variety of raw ingredients and stored foods, it’s difficult to achieve a balance that can serve all of their needs.
For this reason, the best temperature for running your fridge is 37°F (3°C). By keeping the inside of your fridge just above the freezing point, you can ensure your food will remain free of ice. At the same time, you can stop the growth of harmful bacteria on your raw meat.
Pro Tip: Many fridges use a number setting instead of a temperature input. If you’re not sure which way to set the dial on your fridge, remember that many manufacturers have adopted the same rule:
The higher the number = The higher the refrigerating power
Therefore, if you think your fridge isn’t cold enough, simply turn your refrigerator dial to a higher number.
Freezer: 0°F
Unlike a fridge that is trying to maintain a happy medium, the main purpose of a freezer is to keep its contents frozen. To achieve the best results, keep your freezer running at 0°F (-18°C). This will ensure there’s no risk to your food prematurely thawing, but also not make your freezer work any harder than necessary.
Pro Tip: To prevent frost buildup in your freezer, do your best to remove moisture from your food items before storage. Minimize access to air by using appropriate storage containers that are no larger than necessary.
Dishwasher: Wash 140°F (max), Rinse 190°F (max)
It’s not likely you’ve seen the inside of your dishwasher as it washes your dirty dishes, but you’ll know it gets plenty hot in there from the warmth of your clean plates. To get your dishes properly clean, a dishwasher will reach some high temperatures.
Normal wash cycles for home dishwashers should achieve temperatures of 120°F–140°F (49°C–60°C), while the rinse cycle will hit 180°F–190°F (82°C–88°C).
Fun Fact: Commercial dishwashers adopt a higher standard called NSF/ANSI 3. To achieve this standard, dishes must reach a temperature of 160°F (71°C) for 10 seconds, something that is achieved with a final rinse that reaches 180°F. By doing so, these commercial dishwashers can eliminate 99.999% of microorganisms and bacteria.
Washing Machine: Warm 110°F (max), Cold 80°F (max)
Separating your laundry is just the beginning; for ideal results, it’s wise to check if your washing machine is operating at the right temperature.
To wash man-made fibers, knits, and jeans, a warm wash will ideally reach 90°F–110°F (32°C–43°C). For dark/bright colors and delicates, a washing machine’s cold water setting should range between 60°F and 80°F (15°C–27°C).
Dryer: 150°F (average)
Normal household clothes dryers operate at an average temperature between 125°F and 135°F (52°C–57°C). As well, some machines can reach 160°F (71°C), a temperature that remains safe for most fabrics. And although some people may find it strange that their dishwashers may reach higher temperatures than their dryers, it’s really not that unusual. Water doesn’t need to reach a boiling point to start drying clothes through steaming. This way, users save energy and keep their clothes from harm.
Helpful Tip: Many dryer problems are caused by improper loads that don’t allow clothes to dry evenly, while others are due to uncleaned lint traps. Be sure to clean your lint screen and dryer duct; this will keep your dryer working properly, and reduce the risk of fire.
Computers: Below 140°F
The number one enemy of a computer is heat. When a computer opens more applications and uses more resources, this increased activity also produces heat as a by-product.
Under normal use, a computer will have an operating temperature of 104°F–149°F (40°C–65°C), for which a temperature under 140°F is ideal. However, when running intensive applications such as graphics programs and 3D video games, a computer can reach temperatures of 158°F–176°F (70°C–80°C). For this reason, many high-powered computers are built with a fan or dedicated cooling system to ensure they don’t overheat.
Smartphone: 95°F (max)
Even though they operate according to the same principles as a computer, smartphones are designed to operate without the benefit of fans or large vents that can keep them cool. For this reason, the ideal operating temperature for smartphones is between 32°F and 95° F (0° and 35° C). If you notice your phone is getting unusually warm, this is a sure sign that it is overheating.
Pro Tip: Overheating is the cause of numerous problems for smartphones. It can slow charging times, charging ability, display output, and even signal reception as it switches to low-power mode. In these cases, try switching your phone off as a quick fix to your problems.
LCD & Plasma TV: 95°F (max)
LCD and Plasma TVs usually have an average operating temperature of 40°F–95°F (4°C–35°C). During storage and not in use, this temperature can increase to 120°F (49°C).
Pro Tip: Many modern electronics are designed to automatically shut down in case of overheating.
Video Games Consoles: 75°F
And as anyone familiar with the Xbox 360’s red ring of death would know, video game consoles are often associated with overheating. With its cutting-edge 3D graphics, a video game console is commonly pushing the boundaries of its operating temperatures.
A PS5 is listed as having a normal operating temperature between 149°F and 167°F (65°C and 75°C), while an Xbox Series X is said to operate safely between 140°F and 167°F (60°C and 75°C). Conversely, a Nintendo Switch puts its safe operating range between 40 and 95°F (5°C to 35°C).
Pro Tip: Video game consoles require good air flow for them to work properly. Blocking this air flow can result in overheating which causes poor performance. This can include lag, stutter, freezing, and even crashing.
Final Thoughts on Ideal Operating Temperatures
By being proactive about operating temperatures, you may be able to discover problems before they happen. This vigilance may help save you money on costly repairs and even replacement.
Are you looking for a way to measure the temperature of common items around your home? Try using a thermometer gun like the TP450! This dual-laser-equipped temperature gun features a measuring range between -58°F and 1022°F that provides results within 0.5 seconds. Use its adjustable emissivity to match different surface textures and measure temperatures of pizza ovens, swimming pools, air vents, and more!
Browse our full lineup of infrared thermometers here!
Photos: Océanos y dados, U.S. Department of Agriculture (2), Image Catalog
