Picture of the Mainstays Refrigerator Freezer Thermometer G761, showing the front view of the original packaging.

Mainstays Refrigerator Freezer Thermometer G761 Review

he Mainstays Refrigerator Freezer Thermometer G761  solves a common problem of most home fridge and deep freezers these days; their temperature controls do not read in degrees, and we review it here.

They mostly show numbers like 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, where 5 is the coldest (MAX), and 0 is the warmest (or OFF) position. Plus we often find no markings of where “the best” position would be for most well preserved food. So, this leaves the user guessing at where to correctly set the thermostat.

Picture of the Mainstays refrigerator freezer thermometer G761, showing the front view of the original packaging.
Mainstays refrigerator freezer thermometer G761, showing the front view of the original packaging.

Often they put tables that map these numbers to real world temperature in the user’s guide. But these are supplied for another model than the one the user bought.

Or they are generic.  That is,  they apply for all refrigerators in a given line, in a specific location. Since working environments vary widely, from cool and damp basements to baking hot attics, these generic tables are often way off the mark.  Plus, even freezers of the same model, may not cool exactly the same way either.  A thermometer like this one can overcome these differences. You know you get the same temperature with it inside, no matter the fridge model.

So adding thermometers like the Mainstays G761 to all refrigerators and freezers helps to better zero in on that perfect zero for freezers,  -20 degrees for that perfect deep freeze, and +35 to + 40 degrees Fahrenheit for that best temperature.  This low cost, easy-to-install thermometer, makes this not only possible, but quite practical.  We have several of these, placed throughout our food keepers.

Mainstays Refrigerator Freezer Thermometer G761 Review: Advantages, Benefits, Pros, and Features

Simple Installation

No tools needed.  You just snap on the included suction cups, and then stick this thermometer to a wall, shelf, or drawer in the refrigerator or freezer, in the middle area, not too close to the door.  You want the thermometer half-way between the front and back of the refrigerator or freezer, and half-way between the top and bottom, inside.

Simple, Small Design

The long but slim design coupled with the easy-to-read scale is still small enough for placing in almost any fridge.  Works well in everything from the smallest “college dorm” refrigerators, all the way up to walk-in freezer units.

Stainless Steel Brackets on the Mainstays G761 Thermometer

This unit will not rust or corrode under home conditions.

Solid Build

Made mostly from PVC, this unit is virtually unbreakable.  Plus, the temperature sensing components (the glass tube) is not directly exposed to the surrounding air, and the PVC protects it from shattering through most drops, even when cold.

Mainstays Refrigerator Freezer Thermometer G761 Review: Works with any Model of Freezer or Refrigerator   

Most fridges and freezers have enough space inside to place this device, with its low space needs.  While big enough to read, this thermometer is under bearing in size.  So, finding a suitable location should be simple, even in the most over-packed freezers and coolers.

Easy Placement

Can be suctioned to an interior wall, placed in a drawer, or laid on a door shelf.  Just be sure to place it where you can see it without having to pick it up, as touching it can quickly elevate the reading.

Costs Little to Buy

Very affordable at under $6 per copy.

Easy to Read Red and White Scale

Features a large, easy-to-read, white, blue, black, and red temperature scale, analog not digital, that shows the optimum coldness ranges for refrigerating or freezing of food.  The zone from 40 to 80 degrees F, indicates a temperature that is too high for both refrigerators and freezers.  The blue zone at the center, from 34 to 40 degrees F, indicates the acceptable temperature range for refrigerators.  The white zone, between 0 and 34 degrees F, is acceptable for neither freezers nor refrigerators.  Finally, the lower blue zone, from -20 to 0 degrees F, shows the acceptable temperatures for freezers.

Measures Common Temps in Freezers and Fridges

Accurately measures temperatures from -40 degrees F to +80 degrees F.

Calibrated in both Fahrenheit and Centigrade

No Batteries Needed

This is a completely wireless refrigerator thermometer.

Mainstays Refrigerator Freezer Thermometer G761 Review: Well Sealed

The unit has no visible holes to its interior that would expose the sensing element.  Yet the readings still lock in quickly. Foods and liquids cannot easily be spilled into the inside thus. We prefer a fully sealed unit; one made of either a very thick glass or plastic case as this one is.

Simple Cleanup

Just wipe off with a damp cloth.  Do not submerse though.

 Operating Tips for This Device

  • Place in an open space as close to the center, within the fridge / freezer as you can for the best readings.
  • Just don’t crush it against the wall when pushing a heavy roast into the freezer.
  • In freezers, do not place it on top of shelves that contain cooling coils and piping. This can lower the reading you get way below the actual food temp in there.
  • Position well away from light bulbs, blowers, and fan ports.
  • Place as close to or on top of the foods whose overall temps you wish to watch.
Picture of the original packaging back.
The original packaging back view.

Mainstays Refrigerator Freezer Thermometer G761 Review: Disadvantages, Cons, Limitations, and Problems

Suction Cups Don’t Always Work

As with most suction cups, the ones here often come loose from where you stick them; though the loosening process can take several weeks to months to occur.  Magnetic mounts might hold the thermometer longer.  Condensation in the fridge can make them release.

No Alarm Signal  

to let you know if temperatures inside your icebox move outside of the recommended ranges.

The Mainstays G761 Thermometer is Not Dishwasher Safe

Though well-enough constructed to keep most foods and liquids from entering the scale interior, do not place this thermometer in a hot dishwasher.  This is likely because it’s not designed to read such a high temperatures.

Mainstays Refrigerator Freezer Thermometer G761 Review: Our Rating

This Mainstays thermometer is of high-grade build. It reads temps in both refrigerators and freezers quite accurately. It’s cheap enough that you can buy one along with a new cooler, for setting the temperature controls initially.  You can gather, using this thermometer, where to set the fridge’s temp control for the target 35 degrees reading, and the freezer for the target 0 degrees reading.

Once you know the right settings, then you really don’t need this device anymore. But we just leave ours in the iceboxes, and check them every month for right temps.  This unit is rugged enough to get those ongoing readings for many years.  So we rate this unit at 96 out of 100.

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References for This Mainstays Refrigerator Freezer Thermometer G761 Review

  1. Correct Freezer Temperatures   on Wikipedia
  2. Correct Refrigerator Temperatures   on Wikipedia
  3. Where to Buy   the Mainstays G761 Refrigerator & Freezer Thermometer

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