How long does it take for water to get cold in the fridge?

In this brief article, we will answer the question, “How long does it take for water to get cold in the fridge?” and discuss the possible methods to cool water quickly, and factors affecting refrigerator cooling time.

How long does it take for water to get cold in the fridge?

It takes around 60 to 120 minutes to cool water in the fridge (1). This would depend on how cold you require your water to be, the position in the fridge that you place the water, the volume of the water as well as other factors that will be discussed in this article.

To know with a higher precision how long it takes for water to get cold in the fridge, it is necessary to make an experiment in your own refrigerator, in which the initial temperature of the water is measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiment.

Why is the cooling rate important?

The cooling rate of a food item is important due to safety. The longer the food is kept at temperatures above 40°F (5°C), the higher the risks of the occurrence of food outbreaks (1).

Microorganisms, including pathogenic bacteria, are able to grow in the foods and drinks at room temperature faster than at refrigerated temperatures. By cooling the foods and drinks faster, their final microbial load can be lower and their shelf life is improved.

What factors affect the cooling time of water in the fridge?

There are many factors that affect the cooling time of water in the fridge. The main ones are (1,2): 

  • The temperature of the room can influence the cooling time. If the refrigerator is kept at a hot temperature or in a room that is exposed to bright sunlight often, the cooling time would get affected
  • The initial temperature of the water can affect the time needed to cool it down. If the water is warm, it will take longer to reduce the temperature to the desired cold temperature 
  • The volume of the water to be cooled: greater volumes of water will need a longer time
  • The position on which the water is placed inside the refrigerator: there are in the fridge colder and warmer places, because the heat distribution of the equipment is not totally homogeneous. Placing the water on the upper parts of the refrigerator will reduce the time needed to cool the water than placing it on the bottom parts 
  • Temperature fluctuations: the constant door opening of the refrigerator negatively affects the cooling process, as it reduces the effectiveness. Avoid opening the fridge door all the time. This would slow down the cooling process
  • The age and current condition of the fridge can be another factor influencing cooling. Older fridges would take longer to cool. If the fridge has damaged air vents or doors, cooling time could get affected
  • If you place the water in the fridge next to other warm items, warm foods or drinks, it will take longer to cool down the temperature of the water
  • Model and efficacy of the equipment: single-door refrigerators are not as efficient as double-door equipment. Similarly, high power equipment are more effective

How to ensure that the refrigerator cools the drinks properly?

To ensure that the refrigerator cools the drinks properly, some important tips are (1,2):

  • Ensure that the fridge is plugged in properly, avoid shutting down / plugging in, this can reduce the cooling effectiveness, in addition to bring functioning damage to the equipment
  • Keep the fridge away from the wall to ensure proper air circulation
  • Ensure that the fridge’s door is closed properly and all the parts of the fridge such as the coils are functioning effectively
  • Avoid frequent opening of the door
  • Avoid overloading of the refrigerator with warm items

Does cooling water kill bacteria?

No, bacteria or other pathogens that are possibly present in the water are not killed when the water is cooled. It is not safe to drink unfiltered or not boiled cold water, regardless of how cold the water is or how long the water has been stored in the fridge (3).

Water pollutants include bacteria, intestinal parasites, heavy metals and residues from pesticides and other chemicals. It is estimated that more than 50,000 people around the world die every day due to diseases resulting from the consumption of contaminated water. 

Therefore, It is necessary to purify the water through the use of a filter or boil the water prior to its consumption. 

Other FAQs about water which you may be interested in.

Does salt ionize in the water?

Can you boil water twice?

Can I keep boiling water in the fridge to cool?

It is not recommended to keep boiling water in the fridge as it would bring about a change in the temperature of the refrigerator and spoil other food items present in the fridge as well (1).

Allow the boiling water to cool a little bit before placing it in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

In this brief article, we have answered the question, “how long does it take for water to get cold in the fridge?” and discussed the possible methods to cool water quickly, and factors affecting refrigerator cooling time.

References

  1. Söylemez, Engin, et al. CFD analysis for predicting cooling time of a domestic refrigerator with thermoelectric cooling system. Int J Refr, 2021, 123, 138-149. 
  2. Bhatt, M. Siddhartha. Domestic refrigerators: field studies and energy efficiency improvement. 2000. JSIR. 60, 591-600. 
  3. Gambhir, Ramandeep Singh, et al. Water pollution: Impact of pollutants and new promising techniques in purification process. J Human Ecol, 2012, 37, 103-109.

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