Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge larder is a great way to store produce that's beyond its best. It also allows you to run a smaller fridge and reduce your energy bill!
It's a convenient place for storing provisions like eggs, bread and hard cheeses. Then there's fresh herbs that benefit from the low humidity.
Keep It In Order
A fridge's larder helps cut down on food waste and makes it easier to find items when cooking. However, as with any space in your home, the refrigerator can get messy and chaotic. Here are some tips to keep your fridge tidy and functioning smoothly.
Take Inventory
The most important aspect of organizing your fridge is taking inventory, says Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out and look for the expiration dates. Clean all surfaces." Dispose of food that has expired, throw or freeze leftovers, and get rid of everything that isn't eatable before it gets rotten.
Blakey suggests putting the most frequently used items on the front of your fridge. Then, put the items that are not frequently used in the bottom and the back of your refrigerator.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a chest freezer arrange it using clear storage bins that will aid in the easy search for food items. Label each bin clearly and group items that are similar together. Store condiments in one bin and sodas in another and cheese sticks in the third. You can also make use of a lazy Susan to store condiments and other items that are often used. This will keep them from getting lost in the back of your.
Keep food items that require coldest temperatures at the back of a side-by-side refrigerator and other items that require warmer temperatures towards the front. The lower shelf is great for cream, milk and butter (it doesn't melt) yogurt and other items that don't require consistent temperatures. The crisper drawers work best for spilled food items.
Drawer dividers are a cheap and simple way to make your refrigerator more functional. They'll stop your vegetables and fruits from splattering around. They will also stop them from rotting. They'll also keep your drawers clean and organized. To prolong the longevity of tender herbs, store them in water. (Mason Jars that hold one inch of water work great.) You can also purchase an herb preserver to keep in your refrigerator.
Keep It In View
Keeping your fridge organized will make it easier to find healthy food choices that will keep you feeling full and happy throughout the day. Make sure that all of your lids and containers for food are clear so you can see what's inside. This will inform you of the number of days left on your expiration date and prevent you storing food that is past its prime.
Get your fridge's larder started with a thorough cleaning by scrubbering the shelves, drawers and racks with warm water and dish soap. Give your fridge a thorough scrub to get rid of any crumbs and gross spills that could have been accumulating.
Restock your fridge once everything is clean and dry. Start with the deli and cheese drawer -- that's where you should keep your deli meats, cheeses leftovers, dairy items and other food items. Then, move on to the produce drawer. This is where you should keep the leafy greens as they can wilt easily. Keep it at least three-quarters full to ensure maximum freshness.
The pantry drawer in some refrigerators can be helpful for storage of large bags of frozen vegetables and other food items that are bulky. This drawer can be used to store condiments like ketchup and mustard, as well as nut-butters and other canned products. Avoid storing any milk here however, as it could go bad quickly due to the fluctuating temperatures inside the fridge door.
Also, the back of your fridge should be reserved for jarred foods such as salad dressings, salad dressings, and other condiments that will last longer. Use a riser to elevate jars, so they are easier to read. This will prevent you from closing and opening the lids several times.
Label each bin using markers or stickers that can be easily read. This will make it easy for your family to understand what each container contains, and for you to locate the items you require. Labeled bins are an excellent way of decluttering your fridge and reducing the amount of plastic waste you create.
Keep Cool
A good fridge larder will keep foods at the right temperature to avoid spoilage and to slow down the growth of bacteria. Larders can be built into existing cabinets or can stand alone. They are usually placed on the north-facing side of the home to reduce the sun's exposure. They may also have additional insulation or ventilation to keep heat from entering the food storage area. They have walls that are thicker and have fewer windows. They generally are placed on the north side of your home to reduce heat transfer.
A larder must have an area for meat storage and one for vegetables, each with a specific setting that can be programmed to the proper temperature. This ensures that the burgers and chicken will be cooked well, but that the salad greens won't become overly wilted. You can also set the larder drawer to low-humidity for fruits or vegetables that release a lot of moisture such as cucumbers or tomatoes.
Other drawers in the refrigerator can hold items like cheese -- fresh cream, hard and freshwrapped in paper, greaseproof or clingfilm so that you can preserve it for a longer time. Other items that can be stored in the refrigerator's door include beverages and condiments that are not perishable (like ketchup), water and eggs. The fridge door is not the best location to store milk since it tends to be warmer and less stable than other drawers.
To give your space a more sleek appearance, you can arrange small containers to make them easier to see. This is beneficial for family members who are traveling and need something to eat. Labeling bins and shelving to identify what should be eaten first could be helpful, especially when family members aren't used to reading labels!
A larder is also an ideal place to store leftovers and an assortment of food-safe glass and plastic storage containers, which are ideal for smaller portions of food items. These containers are great for saving time and money when shopping. If you have a clear, 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 most efficient ways to organize your fridge reduce food waste and help your healthy food items last longer. A few smart strategies ensure that fresh food items are kept at the appropriate temperature and make it easier to know what you have and where it is.
Crisper drawers are a part of most refrigerators. They alter the airflow and increase humidity, which can extend the lifespan of vegetables and fruits. It is crucial to use these drawers correctly. Mixing fruits and greens can cause the former, such as the greens to wilt or become spoiled due to the ethylene created. It is also essential to separate produce types and place them in the proper drawers.
The shelves in the door are the warmest part in the fridge. They are best used for items that do not require extra cold or specific conditions of storage, such as jars of salad dressings, jams, chutneys and drinks with a long shelf life (anything purchased in bulk and with the same expiration date). The top shelf is perfect for beverages that can be stored upright without leaks, such as milk and water.
Refrigerator drawers can be difficult to keep organized with items rolling around and getting scattered, but there are some simple tricks that can aid. First, you should invest in refrigerator drawer dividers to keep the food items separate and prevent them from squishing against each one. The idea of organizing by height is helpful. Keep items of similar heights on the same shelf, and don't keep things that aren't the same height in close proximity Raw meat shouldn't be kept in the same drawer as cooked ham!
fridges for sale is another essential item to have in your fridge. It's an inexpensive, easy-to-use tool that can ensure that your fridge is at the optimal temperature to ensure that your food is fresh and safe.
Don't forget to have a bag of plastic grocery bags in your fridge to store items that don't have their own container. The moisture in the bag prevents vegetables from rotting. And for herbs that would normally die within a few days, one of the best ways to keeping them fresher longer is to wash and place them in a glass of water, which is equally effective in retaining moisture as the plastic bag.