Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge larder is a great way to store produce that's past its best. It also lets you manage a smaller refrigerator and reduce your energy bills!
It's a great place for storing provisions like eggs, bread, and hard cheeses. Fresh herbs also benefit from low moisture.
Keep It Well-organized
A fridge larder helps reduce food waste and helps you find items when cooking. However, like any room in your home, the refrigerator can get messy and out of control. Here are some tips to keep your fridge tidy and functioning smoothly.
Take inventory
The most important part of organizing your fridge is to take inventory, according to Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out, check expiration dates and clean the surfaces." Get rid of expired food items and throw away leftovers, and get rid of any food items that aren't eaten before it goes bad.
Blakey suggests placing the most frequently used items at the front of your fridge. Then, you can put away the items that aren't used in the back and bottom of your fridge.
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 group items that are similar together. For fridge on sale , you could put a bin in the pantry for condiments, another for sodas, and another for cheese sticks. 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, store foods that require the coldest temperatures in the back and warmer food items in the front. The lower shelf is ideal for cream, milk or butter (it doesn't melt) and yogurt, as well as other items that don't require consistent temperatures. The crisper drawers are best for spilled food items.
Drawer dividers are an affordable and easy way to make your refrigerator more efficient. They will prevent your vegetables and fruits from getting lost in. This will stop them from rotting. Additionally, they'll help ensure that your drawers stay cleaner and tidy. To extend the longevity of tender herbs, store them in water. (Mason Jars that hold one inch of water are ideal.) You can also purchase an herb saver that you can put in your fridge.
Keep It In View
Keeping your fridge organized will help you reach for healthy foods that keep you satisfied and content throughout the day. Make sure all your containers for food are clear so that you can see the contents. This will inform you of the remaining days on your expiration date, and make sure you don't store food that's past its prime.
Begin your fridge's larder off with a thorough clean by cleaning the drawers, shelves and racks using warm water and dish soap. Then give your fridge an excellent clean-up to rid it of any gross crumbs and spills that may have accumulated over the course of time.
Restock your fridge after everything is dry and clean. Start by storing your cheeses and deli meats in the drawer. Then move on to the produce drawer which should be reserved for greens with a lot of leaf since they tend to wilt quickly. Make sure it is at least three-quarters full to ensure freshness.
You can store bulky items in the pantry drawers of certain refrigerators, such as party trays and large bags of frozen veggies. It is also a great space to store condiments such mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup and nuts, nut butters, and other canned goods. Milk shouldn't be stored in this area as the temperature can fluctuate and cause it to spoil quickly.
The back of your refrigerator should be reserved for salad dressings, condiments and other jarred items that can last longer. Use a riser for containers to make them easier to read. This will help you avoid closing and opening the lids several times.
Label each bin with markers or use stickers that are able to be read easily. This will help your family members quickly identify the contents of each bin, and it'll make it easier for you to locate what you're searching for. Labeling your bins is a great way to organize your kitchen and reduce the amount of plastic waste you produce.
Keep it Cool
A good fridge larder will keep foods at the right temperature to avoid spoilage and also slow down bacterial growth. Larders can be installed into cabinets that are already in place or stand on their own. They are typically placed on the north-facing side of the house to reduce 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 are also usually built with thicker walls and less windows to keep the inside at the lower temperature than other areas of your home.
The larder should include an area for each kind of food, such as meat and vegetables. Each drawer should be programmed to maintain the proper temperature. This ensures that the chicken and burgers will be cooked well, but that the salad greens don't get too damaged. You can also set the drawer in the larder to low humidity for vegetables or fruits that release a lot of moisture like cucumbers or tomatoes.
Other drawers in the fridge can be used to store items such as cheese -- fresh cream, hard and fresh- wrapped in paper or greaseproof or clingfilm so that you can preserve it for a longer time. Other items that can be stored in the refrigerator's doors include beverages, condiments that are not perishable (like ketchup) as well as eggs, water and. The door of the refrigerator is not the ideal place to store milk as it tends to be warmer and less stable than other drawers.
For a streamlined look, corralling small bottles of food and snacks can help make the contents more visible, which is also helpful when family members are looking for something to eat on the go. Labeling bins or shelves 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 an excellent place to store leftovers. You can store them in a variety of plastic and glass containers that are safe for food preparation. They are ideal for smaller amounts of ingredients. These containers are great for saving time and money when shopping. If you have a clean, organized fridge with the space designated for these items It makes it easier to stay on top of your budget for groceries.
Keep it Fresh
The best fridge organization tips reduce food waste by ensuring your healthy foods last longer. Some smart strategies help keep your fresh food at the right temperature and allow you to see what you have in your fridge and where it is.
Crisper drawers are included in many refrigerators. They alter the airflow and increase humidity, which can extend the lifespan of vegetables and fruits. However, it is important to use them properly. If you mix greens with fruits, for instance, the ethylene released by the latter could cause the former to turn brown and spoil before it's time. It is also important to separate produce types and place them in the correct drawers.
The shelves that are in the door are the warmest part in the fridge. They are best used for items that don't require extra cold or specific conditions of storage like salad dressing jars jams, chutneys, jams and drinks with a long shelf life (anything bought in bulk and with the same expiration date). The top shelf is perfect for beverages that can be stored upright and without leaking, including water and milk.
It isn't easy to keep refrigerator drawers arranged, with items rolling and jumbling together. But there are some simple tips to help. First, invest in a set of refrigerator drawer dividers that keep the food items separate and prevent them from colliding against each other. The ability to organize by size is helpful. Keep produce of similar heights on the same shelf and don't place items that aren't the same height next to each other -- raw meat shouldn't be stored in the same drawer as cooked ham!
A thermometer is essential to have in your refrigerator. It's a cheap, easy-to-use tool that can ensure that your refrigerator is at the ideal temperature to keep your food at its safest and freshest.
Have a stash in your refrigerator of plastic bags for storing produce without a container. The moisture contained in the bag keeps veggies from rotting too fast. For herbs that typically will wilt over time they can be kept fresher for longer by washing them and placing them in a water glass. This is just as effective as a plastic sack at keeping moisture.