Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge larder is an excellent method to store produce that's past its best. It also helps you run a smaller fridge and help you save money on your energy bills!
It's a great place for storing provisions like eggs, bread and hard cheeses. There are also fresh herbs that benefit from the low humidity.
Keep It In Order
A refrigerator larder can reduce food waste, and makes it easier to locate items when cooking. But, just like any other space in your home the fridge can become messy and chaotic. Here are some ways to keep your refrigerator running smoothly and neatly.
Take inventory
Holly Blakey, an organizer at Breathing room The Breathing room believes that taking inventory is the most crucial step in organizing your fridge. "Take everything out, check expiration dates and clean the surfaces." Get rid of expired food items, throw or freeze leftovers and dispose of anything that won't be eaten before it spoils.
When you restock your fridge, ensure that 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 back and back of your refrigerator.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a freezer in your chest, organize it with clear storage bins that will help you easily locate foods. Label each bin clearly and group items that are similar. For example, put a bin in the pantry to store condiments, another for sodas and a third for cheese sticks. You can also use a lazy Susan for condiments and other commonly used items to prevent them from being lost in the back.
In a fridge with a side-by-side layout you can store food items that require the coldest temperatures in the back, and warmer foods toward the front. The lower shelf is ideal for cream, milk or butter (it won't melt) and yogurt, as well as other items that don't need consistent temperatures. The crisper drawers are ideal for storing spillage of produce.
Drawer dividers are an affordable and simple method of making your refrigerator more functional. They'll keep your fruits and veggies from rolling around. This will stop the food from spoiling. They'll also keep your drawers clean and organized. To prolong the time of tender herbs store them in water. Mason jars filled with one inch of liquid work great. Alternatively, you can buy an herb saver to place in your fridge.
Keep It Clearly
Organising your fridge will allow you to reach for healthy foods that keep you full and happy throughout the day. Make sure that all your lids and food containers are clear to see what's inside. This will inform you of the number of days remain on the expiration dates and will prevent you from keeping food that is past its expiration date.
Start by giving your fridge's larder a thorough cleaning. Scrub the shelves, drawers, and racks with warm water and dishwashing detergent. Then give your refrigerator an excellent clean to rid of any gross spills and crumbs that may have accumulated over the course of time.
Make sure that your fridge is dry and clean. Start with the cheese and deli drawer -- that's the place to store your deli meats, cheeses leftovers, dairy items and other food items. Then, you can move to the produce drawer. This is where you should store greens that are leafy because they will wilt easily. Keep it about three-fourths full to ensure the best freshness.
The pantry drawers in certain refrigerators is a great place to store storage of large bags of frozen vegetables, and other bulky food items. This drawer can be used to store condiments, such as mustard and ketchup 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.
The rear of your fridge should be a place for jarred food items, salad dressings and other condiments that are able to last longer. Use a riser for jars to make them easier to read. This will prevent you from having to open and close the lid multiple times, which can prolong the life of your condiments.
Label each bin with a marker, or stickers that can be easily read. This will make it easy for your family to identify what each container contains, and for you to locate the items you need. Labeled bins are a great method of reducing the clutter in your fridge and reducing the amount of plastic waste you generate.
Keep it Cool
A well-designed fridge larder will keep food at the correct temperature which prevents spoilage and slows the growth of bacteria. Larders can be integrated into existing cabinetry or stand on their own. They are typically placed on the north side of the house to limit sun exposure and can also be equipped with insulation or ventilation systems to stop heat from entering the food storage area. They have thicker walls, fewer windows and are generally placed on the north side of your house to minimize heat transfer.
A larder should include a drawer for meat and one for vegetables and fruits, each with a particular setting that can be programmed to the appropriate temperature. This will ensure that the burgers and chicken are cooked to perfection, however the salad greens will not be overly damaged. Larder drawers can also be set to a low-humidity setting for vegetables and fruits which release lots of moisture, like cucumbers or tomatoes.
To preserve cheese, you can keep it in other drawers in the refrigerator. Wrapped in greaseproof paper, Clingfilm or greaseproof film to keep it fresher for longer. Other items that can be stored in the refrigerator door include beverages as well as condiments that are not perishable (like ketchup) eggs, water, and other liquids. The door of the refrigerator is not the ideal location to store milk since it tends to be more warm and unstable than other drawers.
To create a minimalist look, corralling small bottles of food and snacks can help make them more visible, which is also helpful when family members are searching for food while on the move. Labeling bins and shelving to show what should be eaten first can also be beneficial, especially when family members aren't used to reading labels!
A larder is also the ideal place to store leftovers and a selection of food-safe plastic and glass storage containers, which are perfect for storing smaller portions of ingredients. Having these ready for quick meals is a great way to save money and time when shopping. If you have a tidy and organized fridge, with an area designated for these items, it makes it easier to keep track of your budget for groceries.
Keep It Fresh
The best fridge organization tricks reduce food waste and make your healthy food items last longer. Certain smart strategies will help keep your fresh foods at the correct temperature and make it easy to find what's in your fridge.
Most refrigerators have crisper drawers that are designed to alter airflow and boost humidity to extend the life of vegetables and fruits. However, it is important to use them correctly. Mixing greens and fruit can cause the former, such as the greens, to wilt or spoil prematurely due to the ethylene created. It is also important to separate different types of fruits and vegetables and place them in drawers that are appropriate for the type of produce.
Door shelves are typically the most warm part of the fridge and should be reserved for foods that don't require a colder temperature or special storage conditions like jam jars, chutneys salad dressings, and long-life juices (anything purchased in bulk and with the same date of use). The top shelf is perfect for drinks that can be stored upright without spilling, like milk and water.
It isn't easy keeping refrigerator drawers organized, with items rolling and jumbling together. But there are some simple tips to help. Invest in a set refrigerator drawer dividers. This will help keep your food items separated and prevent them from squishing together. best fridge uk is also beneficial. Keep items of similar heights on the same shelf and don't store things that aren't the same height next to each other -- raw meat shouldn't be kept in the same drawer with cooked ham!
A thermometer should be in your fridge. It's an inexpensive, easy-to-use tool that will ensure the refrigerator is at the ideal temperature to ensure that your food is in the best condition and is freshest.
Have a stash in your fridge of plastic bags for storing produce without a container. The bag's moisture stops vegetables from becoming rotten. For herbs that normally die within a few days, a simple trick to keep them fresher for longer is to wash them thoroughly and put them in a glass of water, which is just as efficient in retaining moisture than a plastic bag.