We organize storage spaces like our closets, drawers, and garages, but the refrigerator tends to be neglected. However, of all the spaces that need to be organized, the refrigerator is the only one that is time sensitive.
Waste 360 reported that the average American household throws away about 103 pounds of food each year, and three in four Americans attributed their food waste to disorganization – as in: [the food] in their refrigerator, or it gets lost in the mess. ”To slow the rate at which we throw away food, our refrigerators need to be positioned beyond average storage norms. Here’s how to maximize the layout of your refrigerator to improve functionality and avoid excessive food waste.
Know where to store certain foods for a longer shelf life
Different areas of the refrigerator indicate the storage of certain foods. The crisper is for fruits and vegetables, but most fridges won’t tell you where to put the meat or where to store the milk. Where you put your food can be the difference between the value of a week and the value of a day.
Every shelf has a purpose
The shelves are located at different distances from the cooling mechanism in your refrigerator. Because of this, storing certain items on the lower, upper, or middle shelves preserves the food differently. Information experts at The hub have provided storage instructions, identified by shelf.
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Keep snacks, leftovers, and other items that are quick to eat (which could also spoil quickly) on the top shelf. The middle shelves are for dairy, cheese, cooked meat, and leftovers. The middle section tends to be on the cooler end, so keep your milk and eggs here and they’ll last longer. If your milk doesn’t fit in the middle section, you can easily rearrange the shelves to suit your needs. Items containing bacteria must be kept separate to avoid cross-contamination. Keep these items on the last shelf. The bottom compartment is perfect for raw meat and fish and should be wrapped or kept in sealed containers. The drawers are for your fruits and vegetables. (Though they can be too moist for mushrooms.)
The Door of your refrigerator is one of the the warmest It is best to store the least perishable foods like spices, pickles, and jams there.
Don’t put all of your products in the same drawer
We rarely think strategically about where we relate our fresh products – the fruits and vegetables go into the crisper and that’s it. However, this is a common mistake.
The Release of ethylene gas is the reason for the ripening of fruits or vegetables. When certain fruits produce more than others, they can accelerate the ripening process, causing the food to go bad earlier. For this reason, you should store items like apples, cabbage, mushrooms, and mangoes separately from each other. insider provides a convenient list of products that should and should not be stored together.
Buy refrigerator containers to increase visibility and function
Everything in your refrigerator needs a specific space, and purchasing baskets and bins will help you categorize your items and free up more space. If you enjoy storing beer, seltzer, or soda cans, invest in a Can holder. This container allows you to stack more cans while taking up less shelf space. Each type of article should have its own compartment.
If you’re new to the organization and don’t know where to start, catch up Starter kit. A container kit is a roadmap for setting up an organized grocery storage system in your home. These sets contain stackable containers for your meat and eggs, baskets for your bread, smaller containers for your fruit in your fridge drawers, and more.
Kits can be pretty expensive anywhere from $ 163 to $ 243, but worth saving $ 103 on spoiled products. If you are on a tight budget, cheap containers from your bargain or dollar store can do the trick, it might just take some creative stacking. In the end, instead of discovering spoiled foods hidden behind the milk, you can enjoy your meal.
