The snowflake or igloo setting on an upright freezer typically refers to the temperature setting options. These symbols represent different cooling levels, which allow you to adjust the internal temperature of the freezer to suit your needs.
Snowflake Symbol: This setting usually represents a standard or moderate freezing temperature. It is the default setting for most freezers and is suitable for general frozen food storage, such as freezing fruits, vegetables, meats, and other items.
Igloo Symbol: The igloo setting typically represents a colder or maximum freezing temperature. When you select this setting, the freezer will maintain a lower temperature than the snowflake setting. This option is ideal for freezing food items quickly or for long-term storage of highly perishable foods.
The temperature range associated with these settings may vary depending on the freezer model, but it's common to see temperatures around 0°F (-18°C) for the snowflake setting and as low as -10°F to -20°F (-23°C to -29°C) for the igloo setting.
It's important to note that extremely low temperatures, such as those associated with the igloo setting, can lead to increased energy consumption. Therefore, you should use this setting only when necessary, like when you need to freeze large quantities of fresh food quickly or when storing items for an extended period.
If your freezer doesn't have these specific symbols but instead uses numbers or a dial for temperature settings, the principle remains the same. Typically, higher numbers or a higher position on the dial indicate colder temperatures, while lower numbers or a lower position indicate milder freezing temperatures. Always refer to your freezer's manual for specific instructions on temperature settings and usage.