How do you organise your fridge?
I use plastic baskets. I could not have thought before that they are so useful. I have several ones for different kinds of products: dairy products, vegetables, saus ans so on. I also do not left any pans here and I use food containers, but round ones are quite useless, because you cannot fit them and they only create mess.
By the way, a good way to organize your fridge is to take out all products that are not necessary to be kept in the fridge. Ther are, for example: canned goods, almost all kind of oils, fruits (if there are not so many of them), bread.
When it comes to storing in the Cold in order to keep contents fresh, clean and easily-accessible, it’s all about:
– Location
– the Use of Labelled Containers to compartmentalize (ie. keep things in place)
– Mats, plastic wrap or cling film to line the shelves with (the latter which you can simply peel off to throw if Spills get onto them)
while to decide whether to store something in the Shelf, Drawer, Door, High or Low, it all depends on the Type of food.
Food Types:
Eggs
need to go on the middle shelf where the temperature is most consistent.
Raw meat, seafood, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese and milk
should go on the bottom shelf where it’s coldest. Also, if they drip, they won’t contaminate the whole fridge.
Vegetables
The drawer labeled ‘Vegetables/Crisper/High-Humidity’ is the moistest spot in the fridge, which allows veges to stay fresh longer.
Fruit
belongs in the ‘Crisper’ or Low-Humidity drawer.
Butter and soft cheeses
can be placed in the dairy compartment on the Door ie. the warmest part of the fridge.
Condiments
The following are fine on the door:
Ketchup, mayonnaise, salad dressing, pickles, jarred salsa and nut oils.
Fruit juices
Pasteurized ones can be stored on the door, but freshly-squeezed should be stored on the bottom shelf.
Use of Containers (can also be used in Freezer):
Use Plastic Containers with Lids – you can stack them on top of each other
Glass containers – for Meats (to be able to see what’s inside)
Baskets
Plastic Magazine Holders (lying horizontally are great for the Freezer)
Mason Jars – salads keep longest here
Resealable Plastic Bags
Plastic Egg Holders – can stack things on top
Further Tips:
Throw out expired items to save space.
Move expiring items to the front of the fridge so you eat them first.
Stack items on a turntable or lazy susan to keep everything within reach and expiration dates visible.
Citrus Fruits don’t need to be in the bag.
Store Eggs in their original cartons (don’t transfer to the fridge egg holder).
Keep Fruits & Vegetables in the original packaging or in a plastic bag, loosely-tied.
Set fridge temperature to equivalent of or below 5 degrees C (40 deg F).
Harmful food bacteria thrive in warm environments.
If not mostly freezing, leave Meat, Fruit and Veggies unsliced and unwashed until you’re ready to consume them, as they would otherwise spoil faster, and water can promote mold- and bacterial-growth.
Butter and Soft Cheeses don’t need to be hyper-cold.
Place Soft Cheeses like Goat Cheese, in an air-tight container after opening them.
Never mix Meat, Fruit and Vegetables in the same Drawer, which can cause food-spoilage & wastage.
Condiments are generally high in salt and vinegar, which are natural preservatives.
Olive & Vegetable Oils can remain in the pantry, and do not need to be refrigerated.
Use a container of Activated Carbon (from any pet store) or Baking Soda to absorb the odors.
