Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge's larder is a great place to store expired produce. It also allows you to manage a smaller refrigerator and reduce your energy bills!
It's a handy space to store items such as eggs, bread, and hard cheeses. Fresh herbs also benefit from the lack of moisture.
Keep It In Order
A fridge larder helps reduce food waste and makes it easier to locate items while cooking. However, as with any space in your home the refrigerator can become messy and uncontrollable. Here are a few tips to keep your fridge tidy and functioning smoothly.
Take Inventory
The most important part of organizing your fridge is taking inventory, according to Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out, check expiration dates, and wash the surfaces." Throw away expired food and throw away leftovers, and get rid of any food items that aren't eaten before it gets rotten.
Blakey suggests placing the most frequently used items on the front of your fridge. Then, put those items that aren't often used in the bottom and the back of your refrigerator.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a chest-freezer it is possible to organize it using clear storage containers that will help you find foods easier. Label each bin clearly and place similar items together. Store condiments in one bin and sodas in another and cheese sticks in another. You can also make use of a lazy Susan to store condiments and other items that are frequently used. This will stop them from getting lost in the back.
Store food items that require coldest temperatures in the back of a side by side fridge and foods that require warmer temperatures towards the front of. The lower shelf is ideal for yogurt, milk cream, butter, and cream (it won't melt). The crisper drawers are best for storing spillage of produce.
Drawer dividers are an affordable and easy way to make your refrigerator more efficient. They'll stop your fruits and veggies from rolling around. This will stop them from rotting. Plus, they'll help your drawers stay clean and well-organized. Another easy hack for the refrigerator is to keep tender herbs in water to prolong their life. Mason jars containing an inch of liquid work great. You can also purchase an herb saver that you can put in your fridge.
Keep It Clearly
Keeping your fridge organized will help you reach for healthy meals that keep you full and content throughout the day. Make sure all your containers for food are clear so you can easily see the contents. This will inform you of the number of days remain on the expiration dates, and prevent you from storing food past its prime.
Begin by giving your refrigerator's larder a thorough cleaning. Scrub the drawers, shelves and racks using warm water and dishwashing soap. Then give your fridge a good wipe down to get rid of any gross spills and crumbs that may have accumulated over the course of time.
Once everything is dry and clean, it's time to restock your refrigerator. Start with the deli and cheese drawer -- this is where you should store your cheeses, meats, leftovers and dairy items. Then, move to the produce drawer, which should be reserved for greens with a lot of leaf since they tend to wilt quickly. Keep it at least three quarters full to ensure maximum freshness.
The pantry drawers in certain refrigerators is a great place to store storage of party trays, large bags of frozen vegetables and other bulky food items. It is also a great area to house condiments like mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup as well as nuts and other canned items. Do not store any milk in this area however, as it may be spoiled quickly due to the fluctuating temperatures inside the refrigerator door.
The back of your refrigerator should be used for salad dressings, condiments, and other jarred foods that can last an extended period of time. Use a riser to raise the jars so they are easier to read. This can save you from having to open and close the lid several times, which can prolong the shelf life of your condiments.
Label each bin using markers or with stickers that can be read easily. This will help your family members quickly identify the contents of each bin and make it easier for you to locate what you're looking for. Labeled bins are an excellent method of reducing the clutter in your fridge and reducing the amount of plastic waste you create.
Keep it Cool
A good fridge larder keeps food at a proper temperature to prevent spoilage and slowing the growth of bacterial. Larders are built into existing cabinets or stand on their own. They are typically placed on the north-facing side of the house to limit sun exposure, and may have extra insulation or an air-conditioning system to keep heat from getting into the food storage area. They are also usually built with thicker walls and fewer windows to keep the inside at less temperature than other areas of the home.
The larder should have drawers for every type of food item, including meat and vegetables. Each drawer should be programmed to maintain the proper temperature. This will ensure that the burgers and chicken 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 any fruit or vegetable that release a lot moisture such as cucumbers or tomatoes.
Other drawers in the refrigerator can hold items like cheese -- fresh cream, hard and freshwrapped in paper or greaseproof or clingfilm so that you can preserve it for longer. Other items that can be kept in the refrigerator's doors include drinks and non-perishable condiments (like ketchup), water and eggs. The fridge door is not the ideal location to store milk as it tends to be more warm and unstable than other drawers.
For a streamlined look, corralling small containers of food and snacks can help make the contents more visible as well as useful when family members are looking for food items in the car. Labeling bins or shelves to show which food items are best eaten first is also beneficial, especially in the event that your family members do not know how to read labels!
Larders are also an excellent place to store leftovers. You can store them in a variety of glass and plastic containers that are safe for food. They are great for smaller amounts of food items. These containers are ideal for saving time and money when shopping. And if you have a neat, tidy fridge with space specifically designated for storage of these items, 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 helping your healthy food items last longer. Some smart strategies will keep your fresh foods at the correct temperature and allow you to find what's in your fridge.
Crisper drawers are found in many refrigerators. They alter the airflow and increase humidity, which can extend the life of fruits and vegetables. However, it's crucial to use them in a proper manner. Mixing greens and fruit can cause the former, such as the greens to wilt or spoil prematurely due to the ethylene created. It is also important to separate produce types and store them in drawers that are appropriate for the type of produce.
The shelves that are in the door are the most warm part of the fridge. They should be used for items that don't require extra cold or specific storage conditions like jars of salad dressings jams, chutneys, and jams as well as long-life drinks (anything purchased in bulk and with the same expiration date). The top shelf can be used to store beverages like milk and water that can be stored upright.
It isn't easy to keep refrigerator drawers arranged, with items moving and jiggling. But there are some simple ways to assist. Consider investing in a set of refrigerator drawer dividers. This will keep your food items separate and prevent them from squishing together. The idea of organizing by height is helpful. Keep fridges uk 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 with cooked Ham!
A thermometer is a must-have for your fridge larder. It's a cheap, easy-to use tool that will ensure that your fridge is at an optimal temperature to keep your food fresh and safe.
Don't forget to keep a supply of plastic grocery bags in your refrigerator for storing food items that don't come in its own container. The moisture trapped inside the bag helps keep vegetables from rotting too quickly. For herbs that normally go through a slow decline in the course of a day, you can keep them fresher longer by washing them before putting them in a water glass. This is as effective as a plastic sack at keeping moisture.