Reefer Set-Point Guide for Owner Operators

Look up the recommended transit temperature, humidity and freezing point for the load in your reefer, then check your set point against them.

1. What are you hauling?

Group

111 matches

2. Your set point

Thermostat set point

34°F is warmer than the recommended 32°F.

Be careful with a set point near the freezing point. Air leaving the unit can be several degrees colder than the setting, so product on the top layer or near the outlet can freeze. For example, if the desired temperature is 32°F and the freezing point is 31.8°F, the setting may need to be as high as 34 to 36°F. The right setting depends on how warm the product is at loading and on your unit.

Lettuce, head

Recommended transit temperature: 32°F (0°C)
Recommended relative humidity: 98 to 100 percent
Highest freezing point: 31.7°F
Freezing sensitivity: Most sensitive to freezing. One light freeze can injure it.
Good to know: Do not top ice.

A set point is the thermostat setting, not the product temperature. Air leaving the unit can be several degrees colder than the setting, so check the product itself. For a load with more than one product, see the load compatibility groups in the source below. Your shipper or receiver's instructions on the rate confirmation or bill of lading come first.

Temperatures come from “Protecting Perishable Foods During Transport by Truck or Rail” (University of Florida IFAS publication HS1328, a revision of USDA Handbook 669), checked in October 2026. Meat, fish and shellfish figures are its table from the ASHRAE Refrigeration Handbook. The publication says its views do not necessarily reflect USDA policy. It is general information, not a food safety plan.

Numbers tight? Let a dispatcher find better loads.

This tool is free. If it shows you are leaving money on the road, Grow Trucking finds loads, negotiates rates and does the paperwork for owner-operators and small fleets.

Talk to a dispatcher Call (845) 400-9179

Also: About Grow Trucking · Refer a carrier · Trucking blog

Need Help?

Have questions about using our reefer set-point guide? All our tools are free to use with no registration required. Save your inputs locally and come back anytime.

Contact Support|View All Tools

What temperature should I set my reefer to?

It depends on what is in the trailer. Most leafy greens, berries and apples ride at about 32°F, bananas at 56 to 58°F, fresh beef at 32 to 34°F, eggs at 35 to 40°F and frozen food at 0°F or lower. Some produce is hurt by cold, so colder is not always safer. This guide lists the recommended transit temperature, humidity and freezing point for 111 loads and checks your set point against them.

Search for your product, or pick a group. Choose the variety or season when a product has more than one range.
Enter your thermostat set point in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Read the check. It warns when the set point is below the freezing point, colder or warmer than the range, or below the lowest safe temperature for produce that can get chilling injury.
Check the product, not just the display. Air leaving the unit can be several degrees colder than the set point, and your shipper's instructions come first.

Example transit temperatures
Load	Temperature	Humidity
Head lettuce	32°F	98 to 100%
Apples (most varieties)	30 to 32°F	90 to 95%
Bananas	56 to 58°F	90 to 95%
Tomatoes	55 to 70°F	90 to 95%
Fresh beef	32 to 34°F	88 to 92%
Shell eggs	35 to 40°F	70 to 80%
Frozen foods	0°F or lower	Not listed

Temperatures come from a University of Florida IFAS publication that revises USDA Handbook 669, and from the ASHRAE Refrigeration Handbook table it includes for meat and seafood. It says its views do not necessarily reflect USDA policy. Chilling injury varies by variety, season and how long the product is exposed. This is a guide, not a food safety plan. Follow the shipper's and receiver's instructions on the rate confirmation or bill of lading.

Last reviewed October 2026. Sources: UF/IFAS: Protecting Perishable Foods During Transport by Truck or Rail (HS1328); USDA AMS: Protecting Perishable Foods During Transport by Truck (Handbook 669).

Frequently Asked Questions - Reefer Set-Point Guide

What temperature should a reefer be set at?

It depends on the load. Examples from the University of Florida revision of USDA Handbook 669: head lettuce 32°F, apples 30 to 32°F for most varieties, bananas 56 to 58°F, tomatoes 55 to 70°F, fresh beef 32 to 34°F, shell eggs 35 to 40°F and frozen foods 0°F or lower. Your shipper's instructions on the rate confirmation or bill of lading come first. Use the guide above to look up your product.

What is the best reefer temperature for produce?

There is no one setting for all produce. Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, berries and many fruits ride at about 32°F. Cucumbers go at 50 to 55°F, peppers at 45 to 55°F, bananas at 56 to 58°F, mangoes at 55°F and tomatoes at 55 to 70°F. Some produce is hurt by cold below a safe level, which is called chilling injury, so a mixed load needs care.

What reefer temperature is used for frozen foods?

The publication says frozen foods should be kept at 0°F (-18°C) or lower from the time they are first frozen until they are ready to eat. Ice cream is listed at -20 to -15°F. Slow thawing damages the texture of frozen food, and a load that thaws is slow to refreeze.

What reefer temperature is used for meat?

Fresh beef, lamb, pork and veal are listed at 32 to 34°F. Fresh poultry is listed at 26 to 34°F, and hard-chilled poultry at 0 to 26°F. Meat should already be at its transit temperature when it is loaded, because the truck's refrigeration unit is not made to remove heat from the product.

What reefer temperature should I use for lettuce?

The publication lists 32°F for head, leaf and romaine lettuce, with 98 to 100 percent humidity. The highest freezing point is 31.7°F, which is close to the set point, and lettuce is among the products most sensitive to freezing. Do not top ice head lettuce. Because the air leaving the unit can be colder than the setting, the thermostat may need to be a little higher, depending on how warm the lettuce is at loading.

Why not set everything to 32°F?

Some products are hurt by cold even above freezing. The publication lists approximate lowest safe temperatures, such as 55°F for bananas, tomatoes and sweet potatoes, 45°F for cucumbers, eggplants and peppers, and 36°F for asparagus and cantaloupes. Below those, the product can get chilling injury.

Can reefer trailers heat?

Reefer units can be used to keep product warm. The publication says trucks hauling perishables through areas much colder than 32°F may need to be warmed rather than refrigerated to prevent freezing or chilling injury. It also advises thermostatically controlled heating for apples in extremely cold weather.

Is the reefer set point the same as the product temperature?

No. The set point is the thermostat setting for the air. Air leaving the unit can be several degrees below the setting, especially when the product is warmer than the desired temperature at loading. The publication gives an example: if the desired temperature is 32°F and the freezing point is 31.8°F, the thermostat may need to be as high as 34 to 36°F. Check the product temperature, not just the display.

Related Trucking Tools

Cargo Insurance Coverage Checker

Verify your cargo coverage before loading. Know your gaps before something goes wrong.

Fuel Cost Calculator

Plan fuel stops, optimize fill strategy, and estimate DEF costs for your trip.

Trip Pre-Cost Calculator

Full cost breakdown before you accept a load — know your numbers before you roll.

Hours of Service Trip Planner

Enter a trip and see when you can really arrive once the 11-hour, 14-hour and 30-minute break rules are counted.

Go Further With Reefer Set-Point Guide

Guides, services and reference pages that go with this tool.