How to properly organize a place in the refrigerator
In order not to waste time looking for certain products, and also not to throw out the next bunches of wilted greens and blackened bananas, we will tell you how to properly organize a place in the refrigerator. Rest assured that these six tips will really help keep your food fresh and healthy.
Let’s start from the beginning, namely the doors. It is worth noting that this is the warmest part of the refrigerator, so those products that are resistant to temperature fluctuations will feel comfortable here.
You can store: seasonings, juices and other non-perishable food.
You cannot store: Due to the fact that the refrigerator doors are often opened and the temperature is relatively high here, it is not recommended to put eggs, milk and dairy products here.
Let’s move on. Remember that this space is not a kind of “attic”, so it is inappropriate to put bottles or bread here – due to the fact that the refrigerator has a condenser coil that pumps warm air to regulate the temperature, and this heat rises to the combi steamer. Therefore, the upper part heats up quickly enough. This is detrimental to the wine. Especially if you suddenly decide to hide a bottle there, which stands like a small car. Bread does not need such storage either: it quickly deteriorates and grows moldy.
Next on our list is the part of the refrigerator that maintains a uniform temperature. Therefore, you can put here that part of the food that no longer needs to be processed.
You can store: ready meals (for example, leftovers from dinner), drinks, deli meats, sausages, berries, as well as greens, which must first be placed vertically in a container with water and covered with a plastic bag.
This part of the refrigerator is kept at the lowest temperature. And so that your products retain their useful properties, make sure that these shelves are not clogged and that air can circulate freely.
You can store: raw meat (it is important to keep it in its original packaging, on a plate or an impromptu stand), eggs, fish, seafood, dairy products.
This space will help provide a more humid environment for food. For example, vegetables and fruits will feel at ease here. But it’s important not to put them all in one pile, because, say, apples, peaches, plums, pears and melons produce ethylene, which helps them ripen faster. And this chemical can cause your vegetables to turn yellow and spoil ahead of time. Therefore, it is optimal to store vegetables in one box and fruits in another.
We turn to the main part of the refrigerator, designed for storing frozen foods. Here you can keep ice, frozen fruits, meat, fish and convenience foods (for example, tortillas, dumplings, ravioli, pasta with sauce and even eggs). Do not put bread here, otherwise it will dry out.
Care should be taken to ensure that all products are tightly packed in containers (plastic containers or bags). This will help optimize space and save energy. In addition, products in this form can be stored for quite a long time.
We do not recommend refrigerating
Onions, zucchini, potatoes should be kept in a dark cabinet or pantry, but not exposed to an increased concentration of moisture and freezing.
Fresh tomatoes also need to be kept at room temperature (they can be in boxes), otherwise they will mold and turn black.
Avocados also thrive at room temperature and ripen much faster.
If you plan to use your herbs for a couple of days, there is no point in putting them in the refrigerator.
It is better to keep nuts, flour, oil (sunflower, olive and other types) in cabinets, but in a cool place.