Fridge temperature log sheet
A free, printable daily log for fridge, freezer and hot-holding temperatures. Print one sheet per appliance per week, take a reading at least once a day, and write down what you did whenever a reading is out of range.
The limits below are from the Food Standards Agency guidance for food businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Free to use and print. No sign-up needed.
Food Standards Agency temperature limits
- Fridges: cold food must be kept at 8°C or below — a legal requirement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The FSA recommends setting fridges at 5°C or below to allow for fluctuations.
- Freezers: keep frozen food at −18°C or below.
- Hot holding: keep hot food at 63°C or above.
- Check the temperature of chilling equipment at least once a day, and keep a record.
General guidance from the official sources below, not legal advice.
Fridge temperature log sheet
checktasks.app/templates/fridge-temperature-log- Business / site:
- Appliance (e.g. Kitchen fridge 1):
- Type (fridge / freezer / hot hold):
- Target limit:
- Week commencing:
| Date | Time | Reading (°C) | In range? (Y/N) | Action taken if out of range | Initials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
If a check fails
- Re-check the reading with a probe thermometer to confirm it.
- Check the door is shut and the seal is intact, and that the unit is not overloaded.
- Move food to another unit that is in range if needed, and follow your food safety procedures (for example Safer Food, Better Business) for any food that may be unsafe.
- Write down what you found and what you did in the "Action taken" column.
Stop chasing paper sheets
Staff scan the fridge’s QR or NFC tag and enter the reading. CheckTasks checks it against your limits, alerts managers when it’s out of range or missed, and keeps the log — with corrective actions — for you.
Appliance & temperature checksFrequently asked questions
What temperature should a commercial fridge be in the UK?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland cold food must legally be kept at 8°C or below. The Food Standards Agency recommends setting fridges at 5°C or below so food stays cold enough even when the temperature fluctuates.
How often should fridge temperatures be checked?
The Food Standards Agency says to check the temperature of chilling equipment at least once a day. Many kitchens check twice — at opening and closing — and record each reading.
What temperature should a freezer be?
Frozen food should be kept at −18°C or below.
What should I do if a fridge reading is too high?
Confirm the reading with a probe thermometer, check the door and seal, move food to a unit that is in range if needed, follow your food safety procedures for any food that may be unsafe, and record what you did. This is general guidance, not a replacement for your own food safety management system.