Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge larder is a great way to store produce that's past its best. You can also make use of a smaller refrigerator and save money on energy costs!
It's a great place to store things like eggs, bread and hard cheeses. Fresh herbs are another option that benefit from the low humidity.
Keep It Well-organized
A fridge's larder helps cut down on food waste and makes it easier to locate items when cooking. The refrigerator, like any other room in your home can become messy and unorganized. Here are some tips to keep your refrigerator running smoothly and neatly.
Take inventory
The most important part of organizing your fridge is taking inventory, according to Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out, look up expiration dates and clean the surfaces." Dispose of food that has expired, throw or freeze leftovers and dispose of anything that won't be eaten before it spoils.
When you restock your fridge, make sure the items that are most often used are placed front and center, Blakey advises. Then, put those items that aren't often used in the bottom and back of your refrigerator.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a chest freezer, you can organize it with clear storage bins which will allow you to locate foods more easily. Label each bin clearly and categorize items that are similar. Store condiments in one bin and sodas in another and cheese sticks in a third. 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 at the rear of a side-by-side fridge and foods that require warmer temperatures towards the front. The lower shelf works well for yogurt, milk, cream and butter (it won't melt). The crisper drawers are best for spilled food items.
Drawer dividers make your refrigerator more efficient and are simple to put in. They'll stop your vegetables and fruits from rolling around, preventing them from rotting before you are able to use them. Plus, they'll help your drawers stay cleaner and organized. To extend the time of tender herbs place them in water. Mason jars containing an inch of liquid work great. You can also purchase an herb saver that you can put in your fridge.
Keep It Visible
Keep your fridge organized to help you select healthy food choices and feel satisfied throughout the day. Make sure that all containers for food are clear so you can see the contents. This will inform you of the remaining days on your expiration date, and ensure that you don't store food that is over its best.
Get your fridge's larder started with a thorough cleaning by scrubbering the shelves, drawers and racks using warm water and dish soap. Then give cheap fridges for sale wipe down to get rid of any gross spills and crumbs that may have accumulated over time.
After everything is clean and dry now is the time to replenish your refrigerator. Start with the deli and cheese drawer -- that's where you should keep your cheeses, deli meats leftovers, dairy products and other items. Then move to the produce drawer, which should be kept for leafy greens since they tend to wilt quickly. Keep it filled to three-fourths for maximum freshness.
The pantry drawer in some refrigerators can be helpful for storing party trays, large bags of frozen vegetables, and other bulky food items. It is also a great area to house condiments like mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup as well as nuts, nut butters, and other canned items. Milk shouldn't be stored here as the temperature may fluctuate and cause it to spoil quickly.
The back of your refrigerator should be reserved for salad dressings, condiments, and other jarred foods that can last a long time. Use a riser to elevate jars, so they are easier to read. This can save you from having to open and close the lid multiple times, which can prolong the longevity of your condiments.
When you fill each bin, make a goal to label it with the help of a marker or stickers that are easy to read. This will make it easy for your family to identify what each container contains and to find the items you need. The addition of bins with labels can also be a great method to clear your fridge and decrease the amount of waste that you create.
Keep it Cool
A well-stocked fridge larder will keep food at the proper temperature to prevent spoilage and also slow down bacterial growth. Larders can be built into existing cabinets or stand on their own. They are typically located on the north-facing side of your house to limit sun exposure and could also have additional insulation or a ventilation system to prevent heat from entering the food storage area. They typically also have thicker walls and less windows to keep the inside at less temperature than other areas of your home.
A larder should include an area for meat storage and one for vegetables and fruits, each with a particular setting that can be programmed to the right temperature. This will ensure that the burgers and chicken are cooked to perfection, however the salad greens will not be overly damaged. A larder drawer can also be set to a low humidity setting for fruits and vegetables that expel a lot of moisture, like tomatoes or cucumbers.
To preserve cheese, keep it in other drawers of the fridge. Wrapped in greaseproof paper, Clingfilm or greaseproof film to keep it fresher for longer. Other items that can be stored in the refrigerator's doors include beverages as well as non-perishable condiments (like ketchup) as well as eggs, water and. Milk shouldn't be stored in the refrigerator doors however - these shelves are warmer and more unstable than other drawers.
To give your space a more sleek appearance, you can organize small containers to make them easier to see. This is helpful for family members who are traveling and need something to eat. Labelling shelves and bins to identify what should be eaten first can also be beneficial, especially if family members aren't accustomed to reading labels!
A larder is also a great place to store leftovers and a selection of food-safe plastic and glass containers for storage, which are perfect for storing smaller portions of ingredients. These containers are ideal for saving time and money while shopping. And if you have a neat well-organized fridge that has an area specifically for storing these, 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 groceries last longer. Some smart strategies help keep fresh foods at the right temperature and allow you to find what you have and where it is.
Crisper drawers are a part of the majority of refrigerators. They alter airflow and increase humidity, which can extend the life of vegetables and fruits. It is crucial to use these drawers properly. If you mix greens with fruit, for instance the ethylene created by the latter may cause the former to turn brown and spoil before it's time. It is also essential to separate the different types of produce and store them in the proper drawers.
Door shelves are usually the warmest area of the fridge. They should be reserved for foods that don't require extra cold or storage conditions that are special, such as jars of jam, chutneys salad dressings, long-life juices (anything that is bought in bulk with the same date of use). The top shelf can be used to store drinks like water and milk that can be stored in a upright position.
It can be difficult to keep refrigerator drawers tidy, with things that are moving and jumbling. But there are some simple ways to assist. Consider investing in a set of refrigerator drawer dividers. This will keep your food items separate and prevent them from squishing together. The idea of organizing by height is helpful. Store produce of similar heights together. Don't put things that aren't the same height in the same drawer.
A thermometer is another essential item to have in your fridge. It's a low-cost, easy to use tool that will ensure your fridge is operating at the optimal temperature to ensure your food is safe and fresh.
Don't forget to have a bag of plastic grocery bags in your fridge for storing produce that doesn't have its own container. The moisture trapped inside the bag helps keep vegetables from rotting too fast. For herbs that typically wilt in a matter of days, an easy method to keep them fresher longer is to wash them thoroughly and put them in a glass of water, which is just as effective at retaining moisture as the plastic bag.