A fridge larder can be a great option to store food that is over its prime. It also lets you manage a smaller refrigerator and reduce your energy bill!
It's a great location to store items such breads, hard cheeses, and eggs. Fresh herbs also benefit from a low moisture.
Keep It In Order
A fridge-friendly larder can reduce food waste and also make it easier to locate the items when cooking. The refrigerator, just like any other room in your house, can become cluttered and out of hand. Here are some tips to keep your fridge tidy and functioning smoothly.
Take inventory
Holly Blakey, an organizer at Breathing room, says that taking inventory is the most important step in organizing your fridge. "Take everything out and check the expiration dates. Clean all surfaces." Dispose of food that has expired and throw away leftovers and dispose of everything that isn't eatable before it gets rotten.
Blakey suggests putting the most frequently used items on the front of your fridge. Then, put the items that are not often used in the bottom and back of your refrigerator.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a chest freezer, you can organize it using clear storage bins which will allow you to locate food items more easily. Label each bin clearly and categorize items that are similar together. Store condiments in one bin and sodas in a different, and cheese sticks in the third. You can also use a lazy Susan to store condiments and other items that are often used. This will stop them from being lost in the back of your.
In a side-by-side fridge, store foods that require the coldest temperatures in the back and warmer items towards the front. The lower shelf is ideal for milk, cream and butter (it doesn't melt), yogurt and any other items that don't require consistent temperatures. The crisper drawers are ideal to store spilled fruits and vegetables.
Drawer dividers are a cost-effective and easy way to make your refrigerator more efficient. They'll prevent your fruits and vegetables from splattering around, and prevent them from rotting before you use them. In addition, they'll make sure your drawers stay cleaner and well-organized. To prolong the life of tender herbs, store them in water. (Mason jars that have one inch of water work great.) You can also purchase an herb saver to place in your fridge.
Keep It Clearly
A well-organized fridge will allow you to reach for healthy food choices that keep you satisfied and happy throughout the day. Make sure that all of your food containers are transparent so you can see the contents. This will also inform you of the number of days you have left on the expiration dates, and also prevent you from keeping food that is past its expiration date.
Start your fridge larder off with a deep clean by scrubbering the shelves, drawers and racks using warm water and dish soap. Give your refrigerator a good clean to get rid of any food debris and spills that could have been accumulating.
Make sure that your fridge is dry and clean. Start with the cheese and deli drawer -- this is where you should store your cheeses, deli meats leftovers, dairy items and other food items. Then, move to the produce drawer. This is where you should store greens that are leafy because they will are prone to wilting. Keep cheap fridges for sale at least three-quarters full to ensure maximum freshness.
You can store bulky items in the pantry drawer of some refrigerators, like platters for parties and large bags of frozen veggies. You can also use this space to store condiments such mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, as well as nuts, nut butters, and other canned items. Avoid storing any milk here however, as it could go bad quickly due to the fluctuating temperatures in the fridge's door.
The back of your fridge should be reserved for jarred meals like salad dressings, salad dressings and other condiments that will last longer. Try using a riser to raise jars so that they are easier to read. This will prevent you from closing and opening the lids a few times.
Label each bin using markers or stickers that can be read easily. This will make it easier for your family to understand the contents of each bin and also for you to locate the items you need. Labeled bins are a great method of reducing the clutter in your fridge and reducing the amount plastic waste that you produce.
Keep it Cool
A well-stocked fridge larder will keep food at the proper temperature to prevent spoilage and to slow down bacterial growth. Larders can be incorporated into existing cabinetry or stand on their own. They are typically placed on the northern side of the house to limit the sun's exposure. They could also be equipped with additional insulation or ventilation to stop heat from getting into the food storage area. They have thicker walls, fewer windows and are generally placed on the north side of your house to reduce the transfer of heat.
The larder should have drawers for every type of food item, including meat and vegetables. Each drawer should be programmed with the correct temperature. This will ensure that the chicken and burgers are cooked to perfection, however the salad greens will not be too wilted. You can set the drawer of your larder to low-humidity for fruits or vegetables that release a lot moisture such as cucumbers or tomatoes.
To preserve cheese, keep it in other drawers of the refrigerator. Wrapped in greaseproof paper, Clingfilm or greaseproof film, you can keep it fresher for longer. Drinks, non-perishable condiments like eggs, ketchup and water can also be stored in the fridge door. The fridge door is not the ideal place to store milk, since it tends to be more warm and unstable than other drawers.
To create a more streamlined appearance, you can organize small containers to make them easier to see. This is beneficial for family members who are moving around and need food. Labelling shelves or bins to identify which food items should be consumed first is also beneficial, especially when your family members don't know how to read labels!
A larder can also be a great place to store leftovers as well as various food-safe plastic and glass storage containers that are ideal for holding smaller portions of food items. Having these ready for quick meals is a sure way to save time and money when shopping. And if you have a clear, tidy fridge with a dedicated space for storing these, it will be much easier to keep on top of your food budget!
Keep It Fresh
The best fridge organization tips reduce food waste by ensuring your healthy foods last longer. Some smart strategies will keep your fresh food items at the correct temperature and make it easier to check what's in your fridge.
Most refrigerators have crisper drawers that are designed to alter airflow and increase humidity to extend the life of fruits and vegetables. However, it is important to use them correctly. If you mix greens with fruit, for instance the ethylene created by the latter can cause the former to wilt and spoil prematurely. Separating the different types of produce and storing them in proper drawers is essential.
The door shelves are the most cosy part of the fridge. They are best used for items that do not require extra cold or specific conditions of storage like jars of salad dressings jams, chutneys, jams and long-life drinks (anything bought in bulk and with the same expiration date). The top shelf can be used to store drinks such as milk and water, which can be stored upright.
Refrigerator drawers can be tricky to organize with all the items moving around and getting jumbled together However, there are simple tips to aid. Invest in a set refrigerator drawer dividers. This will help keep your food items separated and stop them from squishing together. The ability to organize by size is beneficial. Keep produce of similar heights on the same shelf, and don't place items that aren't the same height in close proximity Raw meat shouldn't be stored in the same drawer with cooked Ham!
A thermometer should be located in your fridge. It's a cheap, easy-to-use tool that can ensure that your fridge is operating at the right temperature so your food stays at its safest and freshest.
Don't forget to have a bag of plastic grocery bags in your fridge for storing items that don't have their own container. The moisture in the bag keeps vegetables from turning brown. And for herbs that would normally die within a few days, an easy method to keeping them fresher longer is to wash and place them in the glass of water which is just as efficient in retaining moisture than a plastic bag.
