Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge's larder is an ideal place to store expired produce. It also lets you manage a smaller refrigerator and reduce your energy bill!
It's a handy space for storing provisions like eggs, bread, and hard cheeses. Fresh herbs also benefit from low moisture.
Keep It Well-organized
A fridge-friendly larder can reduce food waste and makes it easier to locate items when cooking. However, like any space in your home the refrigerator can get messy and uncontrollable. Here are some ways to ensure that your refrigerator runs smoothly and neatly.
Take Inventory
The most important aspect of organizing your fridge is taking inventory, according to Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out, verify expiration dates, and wash the surfaces." Throw out expired foods, toss or freeze leftovers and get rid of any foods that aren't going to be eaten before they turn bad.
Blakey suggests placing the most frequently used items on the front of your fridge. Then, tuck away the items that aren't used in the back and the bottom of your fridge.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a chest freezer put it in order with clear storage bins to aid in the easy search for food items. Label each bin clearly and put similar items together. Put condiments in one container, sodas in another, and cheese sticks in another. You can also use a lazy Susan for condiments and other commonly used items to keep them from getting lost in the back.
In a side-by-side fridge you can store food items that require the coldest temperatures in the back, and warmer items towards the front. The lower shelf is ideal for milk, cream or butter (it won't melt), yogurt and any other items that don't require constant temperatures. The crisper drawers are ideal for spilled food items.
Drawer dividers are an affordable and simple method of making your refrigerator more functional. They will prevent your vegetables and fruits from splattering around. fridge deals uk will stop the food from spoiling. They'll also keep your drawers tidy and organized. To extend the life of tender herbs, store them in water. (Mason jars with one inch of water work great.) You can also buy an herb preserver to keep in your refrigerator.
Keep It Visible
Keep your fridge organized to help you select healthy meals and remain satisfied throughout the day. Make sure all your containers for food are clear so you can easily see the contents. This will also inform you of the number of days are left until the expiration dates, and also prevent you from conserving food that has expired.
Begin your fridge's larder off with a thorough cleaning by scrubbing the shelves, drawers and racks with warm water and dish soap. Give your fridge a thorough clean to remove any crumbs or gross spills that may have accumulated.
Make sure that your fridge is dry and clean. Start with the cheese and deli drawer -- that's the place to store your cheeses, deli meats leftovers, dairy items and other food items. Then, you can move to the produce drawer. This is where you should store the leafy greens as they can wilt easily. Keep it at least three quarters full to ensure freshness.
You can store bulky items in the pantry drawers of certain refrigerators, including tray sets for parties and large bags of frozen veggies. This area can be used to store condiments, such as ketchup and mustard, as well as nut-butters, and other canned items. Be careful not to store milk here however, as it may become rotten quickly due the fluctuating temperatures within the fridge's door.
The back of your refrigerator should be used for condiments, salad dressings, and other jarred foods that last for an extended period of time. Use a riser on containers to make them easier to read. This will save you from opening and closing the lids several times.
As you fill each bin, make it a point to label it with a marker or stickers that are easy to read. This will make it easy for your family members to know the contents of each container and also for you to find the items you need. Labeled bins are an excellent method of reducing the clutter in your fridge and reducing the amount of plastic waste you generate.
Keep Cool
A good fridge larder will keep foods at the right temperature to avoid spoilage and to slow down the growth of bacterial. Larders can be built into existing cabinetry or stand on their own. They are typically located on the north side of your house to limit sun exposure and can also be equipped with insulation or ventilation systems to stop heat from getting into the food storage area. They typically also have thicker walls and less windows to keep the inside at less temperature than other parts of the home.
The larder should contain drawers for every type of food, like meat and vegetables. Each drawer should be programmed to the right temperature. This ensures that chicken and burgers are cooked well, but that the salad greens won't be overly damaged. You can also set the drawer in the larder to a low-humidity setting for any fruit or vegetable that release a lot moisture such as cucumbers or tomatoes.
To preserve cheese, keep it in different drawers of the refrigerator. Wrapped in paper, greaseproof or clingfilm or greaseproof film to keep it fresher for longer. Other items that can be kept in the refrigerator's door include beverages as well as condiments that are not perishable (like ketchup), water and eggs. Milk should not be kept in the doors of the fridge however - these shelves are warmer and more unstable than other drawers.
For a sleek look, corralling small containers of food and snacks will help to make the contents more noticeable, which is also useful when family members are looking for food in the car. Labelling shelves and bins to indicate what needs to be eaten first may be helpful, particularly if family members aren't accustomed to reading labels!
Larders are also an excellent place to store leftovers. You can also store them in a variety of plastic and glass containers that are safe for food items. They are great for smaller amounts of food items. These containers are great to save time and money when shopping. If you have a neat and organized fridge, with the space designated for these items, it will make it easier to keep track of your budget for groceries.
Keep it Fresh
The most efficient ways to organize your fridge reduce food waste and make your healthy food items last longer. Some smart strategies help keep fresh foods at the proper temperature and help to see what you have in your fridge and where it is.
Crisper drawers are included in most refrigerators. They alter the airflow and increase humidity, thus extending the life of vegetables and fruits. It is essential to use these drawers properly. If you mix greens with fruit, for instance the ethylene released by the latter could cause the former to wilt and spoil before it's time. It is also essential to separate the different types of produce and place them in drawers that are appropriate for the type of produce.
Door shelves are usually the warmest part of the fridge. They should be reserved for foods that don't require a colder temperature or special storage conditions 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 ideal for beverages that can be stored upright and without leaking, including water and milk.
It can be difficult to keep refrigerator drawers organized, with items rolling and jumbling together. However, there are simple tips to help. Consider investing in a set of refrigerator drawer dividers. This will keep your produce separated and prevent them from squishing together. It is also helpful to organize by height. Store produce of similar heights together. Don't store things that aren't the same height in the same drawer.
A thermometer is an additional essential item to have in your fridge. It's an inexpensive, easy-to-use tool that will ensure the fridge is operating at the right temperature to ensure that your food is at its safest and freshest.
Have a stash in your fridge of plastic bags to store produce without a container. The bag's moisture stops vegetables from becoming rotten. For herbs that typically wilt in days, you can keep them fresher longer by washing them before putting them in a glass of water. This is just as effective as a plastic sack in retaining moisture.