“How do you stack your fridge?”
I may never be able to find things that my wife as tidied away (aka put in draw “for now” to make it even more impossible to find) but there is one place that absolute organization is achieved every single time and that’s the fridge.
I have no idea when our household law was created that stated cheese and butter is always on the top shelf, yogurts on the next shelf and then there’s the miscellaneous shelf, the one where anything goes, as long of course that it’s not the aforementioned products.
This month together with Betta Living we are asking, “How do you stack your fridge?” Perhaps you favour the ‘Tetris’ technique and cram things in wherever there’s space? Or maybe you like all liquids in the door and all vegetables in the drawers? Well, now is the time to forget everything you’ve learned and take a leaf out of these experts’ books.
Stuart, aka. Cakeyboi
Stuart, baking blogger at Cakeyboi, knows his stuff when it comes to dairy products and baked goods. He has some invaluable dos and don’ts when it comes to keeping your groceries fresh.
Do
“Keep your dairy products chilled in the fridge when not in use, to keep them fresh,” Stuart says. This is because milk starts to spoil very quickly. Bacteria grows quickly when milk is kept at temperatures of more than 40°F, that it could completely spoil in around four hours.
Don’t
Stuart also advises not to “Keep bread in the fridge – some think that this keeps it fresher, but it actually dries it out.” The bread can take on a strange crispiness and lose its squidgy, fresh feel.
Jassy, aka. Gin and Crumpets
Foodie, Jassy Davis, blogs about all things edible at Gin and Crumpets. Her tips for fridge fitness involve the controversial fridge door, and one of our favourite little ingredients: eggs.
Do
“The door is the warmest spot in your fridge,” says Jassy. “The best foods to keep there are ones that have already been preserved. Chutneys, pickles, jams and sauces that are high in vinegar, salt, sugar, or all three have long lives, which means that, unlike milk, they won’t mind the warmer, fluctuating temperatures that come from opening and closing the fridge door.”
This doesn’t mean that no liquids should be kept in the fridge door at all, however. Pasteurised fruit juices are well-suited, while freshly squeezed juices keep best on the top shelf of the fridge.
Don’ts
Eggs also need a cool, stable temperature to stay at their best:
“Put them in the middle of your fridge in their box,” Jassy says, “and throw away the little plastic egg holders that come with most fridges.”
These holders reside in the fridge door, which is too unstable, temperature-wise, to keep your eggs scrummy for longer.
Helen, aka. The Crazy Kitchen
The Crazy Kitchen charts Helen’s adventures in food, so she is perfectly placed to offer some valuable advice when it comes to fridge organisation.
Do
“Keep apples and citrus fruits in the fridge,” says Helen. This will ensure that apples stay nicely crisp, while citrus fruits will stay fresher for even longer. With a tough skin to begin with, things like lemons and limes will stay fresh for up to two weeks in the fridge.
Don’t
“Don’t store bananas in the fridge or next to other fruits, as this will cause the other fruits to ripen more quickly,” Helen also advises. It’s thought this is because of a chemical called ethylene, which speeds up the ripening process. Fruits and vegetables emit this naturally: some more than others. Bananas are one of the main offenders, and can spoil ethylene-sensitive fruits.
Betta Living
Betta Living even had some of their own tips for organising your fridge, to ensure you get the best out of your meats without compromising the rest of your groceries.
Do
“Always place meat on the bottom shelf,” our expert recommends. “This is where the fridge is the coldest, so will keep things like mince and pork chops nice and fresh.”
What’s more, it will help you to avoid one big don’t…
Don’t
“Don’t place meat on the top shelf of your fridge. Not only is it warmer up there, but there’s every chance that meat juices could drip down onto the food below. This won’t be pleasant for anyone in the family, least of all vegetarians!”
Do you have any of your own tips for tip-top fridge fitness? Let us know!
