Households are being urged to turn up the numbers on their fridge dial this summer - because there are many who don’t realise it’s actually making their food colder in hot weather. It’s something everyone uses every day in their kitchen, but fridge experts say there are still a lot of people who don’t really know how the dial in their appliance actually works. It’s especially important, as one heatwave ends and another is set to begin, that your fridge is working to the best of its ability to keep your food chilled and safe to eat for as long as possible.

But according to appliance manufacturers Beko, many people aren’t aware of what the numbers on their fridge’s dial actually mean. "The thermostat or temperature dial is usually located at the top or middle of your fridge and is responsible for controlling a sophisticated temperature monitoring system," explains Salah Sun, Head of Product Management at Beko.

He continues: “The numbers on the dial are often mistaken for the temperature in degrees, but they actually indicate the level of cooling power.

“The higher the number, the colder the fridge will be. For optimal food preservation, a setting of 2 or 3 is recommended, which typically corresponds to an internal temperature of 3°C to 5°C.

“Switching to the maximum setting after a big shop will help everything to cool quickly, especially during warmer weather.

“The minimum setting can be used more during colder months or whilst you’re on holiday, when your fridge door stays closed for longer periods, helping you conserve energy too.

“Many Beko fridge freezers also feature a Holiday Mode: press the 'Vacation' button after clearing out your fridge, and the freezer will continue running while the fridge stays at 15°C to prevent odours and save energy. It’s also important to understand that if you switch your dial to the 0 setting, this will switch off the cooling system completely.

“The temperature distribution inside your fridge isn't uniform and this is completely normal. You’ll find the coldest area is just above the crisper drawer. Even if you have your fridge dial sitting on the recommended setting of 2 or 3, the temperature of your fridge can still fluctuate due to room temperature, the quantity of food inside your fridge and how frequently you open the door.

"One of the most accurate ways to check your fridge's temperature is by placing a thermometer in a glass of water on the middle shelf, leaving it there overnight.

"This gives your appliance enough time to stabilise and provide a reliable reading of the internal temperature. It’s also important to highlight that some models have external temperature displays, and this shows the set temperature, not the actual temperature inside your fridge."

According to the Met Office, warmer weather is due to set in again from Wednesday, with a gradual increase in temperature again until Friday. In London, temperatures will hit 28C on Thursday, then 29C on Friday, before dropping back to about 27C on Saturday, then 24C on Monday and Tuesday, so it’s worth checking your fridge dial before the hot weather returns.