Frozen foods - too frozen?

[SpiceMan]

Due to breaking the thermostat switch on my freezer recently, it now seems to be on fast freeze permanently which which means it is operating at a lower temperature. Mostly this means that things that need defrosting probably take longer and ice-creams etc. are rock hard but only need leaving for a few minutes - so it is no big deal for these two items. However food that is to be cooked/heated from frozen do need longer heating than that stated on the package. Mostly the food-stuffs stipulate to be kept at -18 or lower. Thinking of things like beefburgers and chicken nuggets etc. is it quite safe to heat these for the time state plus a bit. Due to the position of the freezer, it is not viable to contemplate a repair and I can live with the lower temp. for the present.

[qapmoc]

Yeah, but don't forget that lower temperature = higher electricity bills, in fact the ''fast freeze'' function is not just a lower temperature setting, it usually makes the compressor motor run continously.

[waimarie]

My first thought was not about food temps but your likely mammoth electricity bill!!! I would strongly suggest you get it fixed asap