Tips For Organizing Your
Fridge Larder
A fridge larder is a great way to store produce that's over its prime. You can also use smaller refrigerators and save money on energy costs!
It's a great location to store items such as breads, hard cheeses, and eggs. Fresh herbs also benefit from the lack of moisture.
Keep It Organized
A fridge larder helps reduce food waste and makes it easier to find ingredients when cooking. But, just like any other space in your home the refrigerator can become messy and out of control. Here are a few suggestions to keep your fridge tidy and functioning smoothly.
Take Inventory
Holly Blakey, an organizer at Breathing room The Breathing room believes that taking inventory is the most important thing to do to organize your refrigerator. "Take everything out and check the expiration dates. Clean all surfaces." Dispose of food that has expired, throw or freeze leftovers, and get rid of anything that won't be eaten before it gets rotten.
When you replenish your fridge, make sure the items that are most frequently used are in the front and center, Blakey advises. Then, place the items that are less often used in the bottom and back of your refrigerator.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a chest-freezer, you can organize it using clear storage bins that will allow you to find foods easier. Label each bin clearly and place similar items together. For instance, you can keep a container for condiments,
fridge larder another one for sodas and one for cheese sticks. You can also make use of a lazy Susan for condiments and other frequently used items to keep 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 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 storing produce spillover.
Drawer dividers are an affordable and simple method of making your refrigerator more efficient. They'll stop your fruits and vegetables from splattering around, and prevent them from rotting before you are able to use them. They'll also keep your drawers tidy and organized. To prolong the life of tender herbs, place them in water. (Mason jars with one inch of water are ideal.) You can also purchase an herb saver to place in your fridge.
Keep It Visible
Keeping your
fridge ice maker organized will help you reach for 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 tell you the number of days left on your expiration date, and ensure that you don't store food that's beyond its expiration date.
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 refrigerator an excellent clean-up to rid it of any soiled crumbs and spills that may have accumulated over time.
After everything is dry and clean, it's time to restock your refrigerator. Start with the cheese and deli drawer -- that's where you should store your cheeses, meats, leftovers and dairy 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-fourths full for the best 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. Be careful not to store milk here however, as it may become rotten quickly due the fluctuating temperatures in the fridge's door.
The back of your refrigerator should be reserved for salad dressings, condiments, and other jarred foods that can last an extended period of time. Use a riser on jars to make them easier to read. This will prevent you from having to open and close the lid several times, which can prolong the life of your condiments.
As you stock every bin, make it a goal to label it with markers or stickers that are easy to read. This will let your family members easily identify what each container holds and help you to find what you're looking for. Labeled bins are a great method of decluttering your refrigerator and reducing the amount plastic waste you create.
Keep Cool
A good fridge larder keeps food at a proper temperature to prevent spoilage and slowing the growth of bacteria. Larders can be integrated into existing cabinetry or stand on their own. They are typically placed on the north-facing side of the home to minimize the sun's exposure. They could also be equipped with additional insulation or ventilation to prevent heat from entering the food storage area. They also typically have more solid walls and less windows to keep the inside at the lower temperature than other parts of the home.
The larder should contain a drawer for each type of food, such as meat and vegetables. Each drawer can be programmed to maintain the proper temperature. This ensures that burgers and chicken will be cooked well, but that the salad greens won't be too damaged. Larder drawers can also be set to a low humidity setting for fruits and vegetables that expel a lot of moisture, such as cucumbers or tomatoes.
To preserve cheese, store it in other drawers in the fridge. Wrapped in greaseproof paper, clingfilm or greaseproof film to keep it fresher for longer. Drinks, non-perishable condiments such as ketchup, water and eggs can also be stored inside the refrigerator door. The fridge door is not the ideal place to store milk as it tends to be more warm and unstable than other drawers.
For a streamlined appearance, separating small containers of food and snacks can help make the contents more visible as well as helpful when family members are looking for something to eat in the car. Labelling shelves or bins to indicate which foods are best eaten first is also beneficial, especially if your family members don't know how to read labels!
Larders are also a great place to keep leftovers. You can store them in a variety of glass and plastic containers that are safe for food preparation. These are perfect for storing smaller portions of food items. These containers are ideal to save time and money while shopping. If you have a neat and tidy fridge, with a dedicated space for storing these items, it will be much easier to stay on top of your grocery budget!
Keep it fresh
The best tips for organizing your fridge reduce food waste by ensuring your healthy food items last longer. Some smart strategies help ensure that fresh food items are kept at the proper temperature and allow you to find what you have and where it is.
Crisper drawers are found in most refrigerators. They alter the airflow and increase humidity, which can extend the lifespan of vegetables and fruits. However, it is important to use them in a proper manner. If you mix greens with fruits, for instance, the ethylene released by the latter may cause the former to turn brown and then spoil quickly. It is also crucial to separate different types of fruits and vegetables and place them in drawers that are appropriate for the type of produce.
The shelves in the door are the most cosy part of the fridge. They should be used for items that don't require special cold or conditions of storage like jars of salad dressings jams, chutneys, jams and long-life drinks (anything that is bought in bulk and with the same expiration date). The top shelf is great for beverages that can be stored upright and without spilling, like water and milk.