What are GE refrigerator Turbocool and Turbofreeze settings?

Modern GE refrigerators include special “turbo” settings for quickly cooling or freezing foods called Turbocool and Turbofreeze. These high-powered modes can be useful when you suddenly have a large amount of groceries to store or are preparing meals ahead of time for the week. 

Turbocool and Turbofreeze temporarily override the refrigerator’s normal temperature regulation system to drastically drop temperatures in focused areas. Turbocool prioritizes cooling the main refrigerator compartment, while Turbofreeze concentrates on rapidly freezing items in the dedicated freezer drawers or baskets. Both aim to make just-purchased or freshly-prepared foods ready for long-term storage in a fraction of the usual time.

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Turbocool

The Turbocool setting overrides the refrigerator’s normal thermostat controls. It causes the compressor and fans to run non-stop at maximum levels to lower the main refrigerator compartment temperature much faster than usual passive cooling. Within 1-2 hours using Turbocool, the temperature drops by 20-30°F, meaning newly added foods chill over 3 times quicker than by passive cooling alone. 

Benefits:

• Frees up valuable refrigerator shelf and drawer space more rapidly by cooling hot foods down to a safe storage temperature (40°F or lower) in just a third of the normal time passive cooling requires.
• Helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that can form on meat and dairy if they remain in the “danger zone” of 40-140°F. Turbocool stops bacterial growth risk by rapidly chilling items.
• Best option when the refrigerator is temporarily overstuffed with groceries or leftovers and you need extra space right away to fit everything safely. 
• Provides peace of mind knowing foods reached a safe chilling temperature quickly after transporting them home.

Limitations: 

• Slightly higher energy costs during the period of continuous compressor operation compared to passive cooling cycles.
• Noticeably louder refrigerator operation while Turbocool is active due to the compressor constantly running at full power rather than intermittently.  
• Only cools the main refrigerator compartment and does not affect the freezer temperature. Items meant for long-term freezing still need to be moved there later.

When to use turbocool:

• You’ve just returned from a large grocery trip with multiple refrigerated items like meat, dairy and produce that need chilling quickly before storage. Activating Turbocool after unloading allows items to reach a safe temperature in less time.
• You need space in the refrigerator fast after room temperature foods like leftovers, casseroles or beverages have been added. Turbocool helps consolidate items by rapidly cooling them down so they can fit more easily. 

Turbofreeze

While the refrigerator runs normally maintaining proper temperatures, Turbofreeze kicks in the dedicated freezer’s cooling system into overdrive. The turbo setting causes the freezer’s cooling fan to circulate frigid -10°F air constantly at high speed throughout the space. Within roughly 2 hours, items placed in the freezer will be frozen solid, well below the recommended -4°F or lower for long-term storage. This freezing process is approximately 3 times faster compared to relying on the freezer’s passive freezing capabilities alone.

Benefits:

• Helps lock in freshness, flavor and nutritional content that can otherwise quickly degrade during the 1-2 day refrigerator storage window before regular passive freezing would fully solidify items.
• Creates valuable extra space in the freezer by allowing you to rapidly freeze larger batches of several items at once for storage in a single session. 
• Particularly useful for gatherings like potlucks where you need to freeze several homemade dishes together ahead of time before serving. 
• Speeds up the process when you have infrequently used freezer space that needs filling with freshly prepared contents.

Limitations: 

• Higher energy costs while the turbo setting actively speeds up the freezing process compared to its normal operation.
• Noticeable increase in noise levels within the freezer itself from the fan running on high power rather than cycling intermittently.
• Foods must still be packed properly in rigid, airtight containers or heavy duty freezer bags before beginning turbo freeze to prevent moisture buildup which can lead to freezer burn.

When to use turbofreeze:

• You need to quickly freeze homemade or pre-prepared meals, baked goods, meat or seafood so they keep their freshness, texture, flavor and nutrients for long-term storage in the freezer. 
• You’ve cooked or prepared a large batch of items in one session that need to be rapidly frozen before their quality and nutritional value diminish during refrigerated storage, which typically allows safe keeping for only 1-2 days. 

FAQs

How long will the turbo settings run on their own?

Both Turbocool and Turbofreeze are designed to automatically shut off after 4 hours. This is usually sufficient time to lower temperatures significantly. 

Will foods freeze faster if placed against the freezer walls? 

Yes, grouping items together against cooler surfaces like walls accelerates the freezing process when using Turbofreeze. However, air must still circulate properly so avoid overpacking.

Is it okay to start another turbo cycle back-to-back?

While possible, it’s best not to run turbo modes consecutively without allowing the units to return to normal operation in between for energy usage.

Can I use these settings for non-food items?

No, turbo should only be used with foods. It could damage non-food products by exposing them to excessive temperatures outside safe ranges. 

Will my electricity bill increase significantly from turbo use?

Modest increases are possible, but turbose typically only run 4 hours at a time so the impact isn’t too large unless used daily. Proper storage habits help keep bills lower.

Why is my fridge louder during turbo mode?

The turbo settings require continuous compressor and fan use at full power instead of cycling, which causes more vibration and noise during its temporary high-speed operation.

Additional information 

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