Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge larder is a great option to store food that is over its prime. It also helps you manage a smaller refrigerator and reduce your energy bill!
It's a convenient place to store items such as eggs, bread and hard cheeses. Then there's fresh herbs which benefit from low humidity.
Keep It Organized
A fridge-friendly larder can reduce food waste, and also make it easier to locate the items when cooking. But, just like any other room in your home, the refrigerator can get messy and out of control. Here are some tips to keep your fridge organized and running smoothly.
Take inventory
The most crucial aspect of organizing your fridge freezers uk sale is to take inventory, according to Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out and check the expiration dates. Clean all surfaces." Throw out expired foods, toss or freeze leftovers and get rid of any foods that aren't going to be consumed before they go bad.
Blakey suggests that you place the most frequently used items on 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 freezer in your chest arrange it using clear storage bins that will make it easier to locate food items. Clearly label each bin and place similar items together. For instance, you can put a bin in the pantry for condiments, another for sodas and a third for cheese sticks. You can also make use of a lazy Susan for condiments and other commonly used items to prevent them from being lost in the back.
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 great for cream, milk or butter (it will not melt) and yogurt, as well as other items that don't need consistent temperatures. The crisper drawers work best to store spilled fruits and vegetables.
Drawer dividers make your refrigerator more efficient and are easy to put in. They'll stop your vegetables and fruits from rolling around, preventing them from spoiling before you can use them. Additionally, they'll help ensure that your drawers stay cleaner and tidy. To prolong the longevity of tender herbs, store them in water. (Mason jars with one inch of water are ideal.) Alternatively, you can buy an herb saver to place in your fridge.
Keep It In View
Keep your fridge well organized to make it easier to choose healthy food choices and feel content throughout the day. Make sure that all your food containers and lids are clear so you can see what's inside. This will inform you of the remaining days on the expiration date and prevent you storing food that is past its prime.
Get your fridge's larder started with a deep clean by scrubbering the shelves, drawers and racks with warm water and dish soap. Give your fridge a thorough clean to get rid of any crumbs or gross spills that may have built up.
After everything is dry and clean It's time to replenish your refrigerator. Start by putting your cheeses and deli meats in the drawer. Then move on to the produce drawer, which should be kept for leafy greens because they can wilt quickly. Make sure it is at least three-quarters full to ensure maximum freshness.
The pantry drawer in some refrigerators can be useful for storage of large bags of frozen vegetables and other bulky food items. It is also a great space to store condiments such as ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise and nuts, nut butters, and other canned goods. Milk should not 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 condiments, salad dressings and other jarred food items that last for a long time. Use a riser for jars to make them easier to read. This will prevent you from opening and closing the lids multiple times.
Label each bin using markers or use stickers that are able to be read easily. This will make it easy for your family to understand the contents of each container, and for you to locate the items you need. Adding some labeled bins is a great way to declutter your kitchen and reduce the amount of plastic waste you produce.
Keep Cool
A good fridge larder will keep food items at the correct temperature to prevent spoilage and to slow down the growth of bacteria. Larders are built into existing cabinets or can stand alone. They are usually placed on the north-facing side of your house to reduce exposure to sun and could also have additional insulation or ventilation systems to stop heat from getting into the food storage area. They are also usually built with more solid walls and less windows to keep the interior at a lower temperature than other parts of the house.
A larder should include one drawer for meat and one for vegetables, each with a specific setting that can be programmed to the right temperature. This ensures that burgers and chicken will be cooked well, but that the salad greens won't be excessively wilted. A drawer for the larder can be set to a low humidity setting for fruits and vegetables that release a lot of moisture, such as tomatoes or cucumbers.
Other drawers inside the fridge can hold items like cheese, fresh, cream and hard -- wrapped in paper or greaseproof or clingfilm so that you can preserve it for a longer time. drinks, non-perishable condiments, such as ketchup, water and eggs can also be stored in the fridge's door. Milk shouldn't be stored in the fridge doors however, as these shelves tend to be warmer and more unstable than other drawers.
For a sleek appearance, separating small containers of food and snacks can help make the contents more visible, which is also useful when family members are searching for food on the go. Labeling bins and shelving to show what should be eaten first could be helpful, especially in the case of family members who aren't used to reading labels!
A larder is also an excellent place to store leftovers. You can store them in various glass and plastic containers that are safe for food. They are ideal to store smaller portions of ingredients. Making these available for quick meals is a sure way to save time and money when shopping. And if you have a clear well-organized fridge that has space specifically designated for storage of these, it will be easier to keep on top of your grocery budget!
Keep it Fresh
The best ways to organize your fridge reduce food waste and help your healthy groceries last longer. A few smart strategies ensure that fresh food items are kept at the right temperature and make it easier to see what you have and where it is.
Crisper drawers are a part of most refrigerators. They alter airflow and increase humidity, thus extending the lifespan of fruits and vegetables. It is crucial to use these drawers correctly. If you mix greens with fruits, for instance, the ethylene produced by the latter can cause the former to turn brown and spoil before it's time. Separating different types of fruits and storing them in proper drawers is essential.
The door shelves are the most warm part of the fridge. They should be used for items that do not require extra cold or specific conditions of storage such as jars of salad dressings, jams, chutneys and long-life drinks (anything that is bought in bulk and having the same expiration date). The top shelf is ideal for beverages that can be stored upright and without leaks, such as water and milk.
It isn't easy to keep refrigerator drawers arranged, with items rolling and jumbling together. But there are some simple ways to assist. First, invest in a set of refrigerator drawer dividers to keep the food items separate and prevent them from colliding against each other. The idea of organizing by height is helpful. It is easier to store items of similar heights together. Don't store items that aren't of the same height in the same drawer.
A thermometer is an additional essential item to have in your fridge. It's a cheap, easy-to use device 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 produce that doesn't have its own container. The moisture contained inside the bag helps keep vegetables from rotting too quickly. For herbs that usually will wilt over time they can be kept fresher longer by washing them and putting them in a glass of water. This is just as effective as a plastic sack in keeping moisture.