Tips to Keep Food Fresh for Longer in Refrigerator
Tips to keep food fresh for longer in the refrigerator that also helps in reducing food wastage and optimizing the refrigerator’s performance.
We all store leftover food and ingredients in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. While modern refrigerators help a lot, there are simple tricks to make your food stay even fresher for longer. These tips also help reduce food wastage and optimize your refrigerator’s performance. Let’s explore these handy tips:
Categorize & Organize
A well-organized fridge makes finding food easier. Avoid overloading the fridge and placing unwanted items inside. Group foods that are generally used together and store them in see-through containers or label them for easy identification.
Proper Temperature Settings
Storing food items at the right temperature and in the right section of the refrigerator is crucial. Some items need to be in the fridge section, while others belong in the freezer. Many refrigerators have dedicated compartments for fruits and vegetables and separate temperature controls for the fridge and freezer. If you have only a few items, set the fridge’s temperature to the minimum required.
FIFO Method
The FIFO method stands for First In, First Out. Use older items and those with shorter shelf lives first before using newer ones. This practice saves space and reduces food wastage by ensuring that items with earlier expiration dates are used first.
Extra Care for Perishable Foods
Ensure that perishable items like fruits and vegetables are properly cleaned and dried before storing them in the fridge. Moisture can cause faster spoilage of perishables.
Food Safety
Store the right food in the right container. For example, avoid storing high-acid content foods in metal containers, as this can make the food toxic. Ensure all containers are clean and dry before adding new food items.
Prevent Frequent Opening & Closing of the Door
Repeatedly opening and closing the fridge door disrupts its temperature balance, affecting the shelf life of different foods. Avoid frequent opening and ensure the door is closed properly and immediately after use. This tip also helps save electricity.
Pre-Holiday Cleanout
If you're going on holiday or won’t use the fridge for a long time, remove all perishable items that might expire in your absence to prevent food spoilage. Many new fridges have customizable 'holiday mode' settings to help with this.
Regular Cleaning and Service Maintenance
Wipe and clean your refrigerator every month and inspect for expired items weekly. Clean up any food spills immediately. Conduct internal service from the brand or other reliable sources every three months to ensure proper functioning and safety of the refrigerator.
What to & What Not to Store
Not all items are meant to be stored in the refrigerator. Fruits, vegetables, pickles, dressings, condiments, milk and dairy products, chocolates, cooked food, and eggs are ideal for the fridge, while meat, seafood, ice creams, and frozen snacks should be stored in the freezer. Always check the label to know where and how items should be stored. ISH released a video informing you of the items that must never be refrigerated. You can watch the video here: Foods You Should Stop Putting In The Fridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGuiTd3YFXU
If you have other interesting tips or ideas on how to keep food fresh for longer in the refrigerator, share them with us in the comments section!
