A fridge larder is an excellent method to store produce that's past its best. You can also make use of smaller refrigerators to reduce your energy costs!
It's the perfect place to store items like breads, hard cheeses, and eggs. Fresh herbs also benefit from the lack of moisture.
Keep It Organized
A fridge larder helps reduce food waste and makes it easier to find items when cooking. But, just like any other room in your home, the fridge can become messy and uncontrollable. Here are some suggestions to keep your refrigerator running smoothly and well-organized.
Take Inventory
Holly Blakey, an organizer at Breathing room The Breathing room believes that taking inventory is the most important thing to do in organizing your refrigerator. "Take everything out and check the expiration dates. Clean all surfaces." Get rid of expired foods or throw them away and get rid of any foods that aren't going to be eaten before they go bad.
When you replenish your fridge, make sure the items that are most often used are placed front and in the middle, Blakey advises. Then, you can put away the less-used items in the back and the bottom of your fridge.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a freezer in your chest, organize it with clear storage bins to aid in the easy search for food items. Clearly label each bin and put similar items together. Put condiments in one container, sodas in another, 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 getting lost in the back.
Store foods that need the coldest temperatures at the rear of a side-by-side fridge and foods that require warmer temperatures towards the front. The lower shelf is ideal for milk, cream and butter (it will not melt), yogurt and any other items that don't require consistent temperatures. The cooler drawers are the best to store spillage from produce.
Drawer dividers make your refrigerator more efficient and are simple to put in. They'll keep your vegetables and fruits from rolling around, preventing them from rotting before you are able to use them. Plus, they'll help your drawers stay cleaner and well-organized. To extend the longevity of tender herbs, keep them in water. Mason jars that are filled with one inch of liquid are ideal for. Alternatively, you can buy an herb saver to put in your refrigerator.
Keep it visible
Keep your fridge tidy to make it easier to choose healthy foods and stay satisfied throughout the day. Make sure that all your lids and food containers are clear to see what's inside. This will also let you know how many days you have left on the expiration dates, and prevent you from keeping food that is past its expiration date.
Begin by giving your refrigerator's larder a thorough clean. Scrub the drawers, shelves and racks using warm water and dish detergent. Give your fridge a good clean-up to rid it of any gross crumbs and spills that might have accumulated over time.
After everything is clean and dry, it's time to restock your refrigerator. Start with the deli and cheese drawer -- that's where you should store your deli meats, cheeses, leftovers and dairy items. Then, move to the produce drawer. This is where you should keep the leafy greens as they can are prone to wilting. Keep it about three-fourths full to ensure the best freshness.
The pantry drawers in certain refrigerators can be helpful for storage of large bags of frozen vegetables, and other food items that are bulky. It is also a great space to store condiments such ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise and nuts, nut butters, and other canned goods. Be careful not to store milk here however, as it may be spoiled quickly due to the fluctuating temperatures inside the fridge door.
Also, the back of your fridge should be a place for jarred food items such as salad dressings, salad dressings, and other condiments that can last longer. Use a riser to raise the jars so they are easier to read. This will save you from opening and closing the lids several times.
Label each bin using markers or stickers that can be read easily. This will make it easy for your family members to know the contents of each bin, and for you to locate the items you need. fridge on sale are an excellent way of decluttering your fridge and reducing the amount of plastic waste that you produce.
Keep Cool
A good fridge larder will keep food at the proper temperature to prevent spoilage and also slow down the growth of bacterial. Larders are installed into cabinets that are already in place or can stand alone. They are typically placed on the northern side of the house to limit the sun's exposure. They may also have additional insulation or ventilation to prevent heat from getting into the food storage area. They have walls that are thicker, fewer windows and are usually located on the north side of your home to minimize heat transfer.
A larder must have one drawer for meat and one for vegetables, each with a specific setting that can be programmed to the proper temperature. This will ensure that the chicken and burgers are cooked to perfection, and the salad greens will not be overly damaged. You can set the drawer of your larder to a low-humidity setting for fruits or vegetables which release a lot of moisture like cucumbers or tomatoes.
To preserve cheese, keep it in other drawers in the refrigerator. Wrapped in paper, greaseproof or Clingfilm or greaseproof film, you can keep it fresher for longer. Other items that can be stored in the refrigerator door include beverages and condiments that are not perishable (like ketchup) eggs, water, and other liquids. The door of the refrigerator is not the ideal place to store milk as 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 helpful for family members who are on the move and need something to eat. Labeling bins or shelves to indicate which foods should be eaten first is also helpful, especially in the event that your family members do not know how to read labels!
A larder can also be a great place to keep leftovers. You can keep them in various plastic and glass containers that are safe for food. These are perfect for storing smaller portions of food items. Making these available for quick meals is a great way to save money and time when shopping. If you have a tidy, organized fridge with a designated space for these items, it makes it easier to keep track of your budget for groceries.
Keep It Fresh
The best fridge organization tricks reduce food waste and help your healthy groceries last longer. Some smart strategies help keep fresh foods at the proper temperature and allow you to know what you have and where it is.
Crisper drawers are found in most refrigerators. They alter the airflow and increase humidity, thus extending the lifespan of fruits and vegetables. However, it is important to use them correctly. Mixing greens and fruit can cause the former, like the greens, to wilt or spoil prematurely due to the ethylene created. It is also essential to separate the different types of produce and place them in the correct drawers.
Door shelves are often the warmest part of the fridge. They should be reserved for food items that don't require a colder temperature or storage conditions that are special, such as jam jars, chutneys salad dressings, and long-life juices (anything purchased in bulk and with the same date of use). The top shelf is perfect for drinks that can be stored upright and without leaking, including water and milk.
Refrigerator drawers can be tricky to organize with all the items moving around and getting scattered However, there are simple tips to help. First, invest in refrigerator drawer dividers that keep produce separated and prevent them from colliding against each other. The ability to organize by size is beneficial. Keep items of similar heights on the same shelf and don't place items that aren't of the same height in close proximity Raw meat shouldn't go in the same drawer as cooked Ham!
A thermometer is essential to have in your refrigerator. It's an inexpensive, easy-to-use tool that will ensure the refrigerator is at the ideal temperature to keep your food fresh and safe.
Don't forget to keep a supply of plastic grocery bags in your fridge for storing food items that don't come in its own container. The moisture contained in the bag prevents vegetables from rotting. And for herbs that would typically wilt in a matter of days, an easy method to keep them fresher longer is to wash them thoroughly and put them in a glass of water which is just as effective in retaining moisture as plastic bags.
