Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge larder is a great way to store produce that's beyond its best. It also helps you manage a smaller refrigerator and help you save money on your energy bill!
It's an ideal location to store items such as hard cheeses, breads and eggs. Then there's fresh herbs which benefit from low humidity.
Keep It Well-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 get messy and uncontrollable. Here are some tips to keep your refrigerator running smoothly and organized.
Take Inventory
The most important aspect of organizing your kitchen is taking inventory, according to Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out and check the expiration dates. Clean all surfaces." Throw out expired foods and throw away leftovers and dispose of any foods that aren't going to be eaten before they go bad.
When you restock your fridge, make sure the items that are most often used are placed front and center, Blakey advises. Then, you can put away the less-used items in the back and the bottom of your fridge.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a chest freezer, organize it with clear storage bins that will make it easier to locate food items. Label each bin clearly and group similar items together. For example, put a bin in the pantry for 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 getting lost in the back of your.
In a fridge with a side-by-side layout you can store food items that require the coldest temperatures in the back, and warmer food items in the front. The lower shelf is ideal for milk, cream or butter (it won't melt) and yogurt, as well as other items that don't need consistent temperatures. And the cooler drawers are the best for storing produce spillover.
Drawer dividers are a cost-effective and simple way to make your refrigerator more efficient. They'll stop your vegetables and fruits from getting lost, preventing them from spoiling before you can use them. Plus, they'll help your drawers remain clean and tidy. To prolong the life of tender herbs, keep them in water. (Mason jars that have one inch of water work great.) Alternatively, you can buy an herb saver that you can put in your refrigerator.
Keep It Visible
Keep your fridge well organized to help you choose healthy foods and stay content throughout the day. Make sure that all your lids and food containers are clean so that you can 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 refrigerator's larder a thorough cleaning. Scrub the drawers, shelves, and racks using warm water and dishwashing detergent. Then give your fridge a good 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 by putting your cheeses and deli meats in the drawer. Then move to the produce drawer which should be reserved for greens with a lot of leaf as they tend to fade quickly. Keep it about three-fourths full for maximum freshness.
The pantry drawers in certain refrigerators can be useful for storing party trays, large bags of frozen vegetables, and other bulky food items. It is also a great space to store condiments such as mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup, as well as nut butters and other canned items. Milk should not be stored in this area as the temperature fluctuates and result in it spoiling quickly.
The back of your refrigerator should be used for condiments, salad dressings and other jarred food items that last for longer. Use a riser on containers to make them easier to read. This will prevent you from having to open and close the lid a few times, which can prolong the shelf life of your condiments.
Label each bin with the help of a marker or stickers that can be easily read. This will make it easier for your family to identify the contents of each bin, and for you to locate the items you need. Adding some labeled bins is a great way to declutter your fridge and decrease the amount of waste that you create.
Keep it Cool
A well-stocked fridge larder will keep food items at the correct temperature to prevent spoilage and also slow down bacterial growth. Larders can be installed into cabinets that are already in place or stand on their own. They are typically located 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 getting into the food storage area. They have thicker walls with fewer windows, and generally are located on the north side of your home to reduce the transfer of heat.
fridges for sale uk should include an area for meat storage and one for vegetables each with a distinct setting that can be programmed to the appropriate temperature. This ensures that chicken and burgers will be cooked well, but that the salad greens won't become too discolored. A drawer for the larder can be set to a low humidity setting for vegetables and fruits that release a lot of moisture, such as tomatoes or cucumbers.
Other drawers in the refrigerator can contain items such as cheese, fresh, cream and hard -- wrapped in paper or greaseproof or clingfilm so that you can preserve it for a longer time. drinks, non-perishable condiments, such as eggs, ketchup and water can also be kept in the refrigerator door. Milk should not be stored in the fridge doors however, as these shelves are warmer and more unstable than drawers in other drawers.
To give your home a more organized appearance, you can organize small containers to make them more easily visible. This is beneficial for family members who are moving around and require food. Labeling bins or shelves to show which food items should be consumed first is also beneficial, especially in the event that your family members do not know how to read labels!
A larder can also be the ideal place to store leftovers and various food-safe plastic and glass storage containers that are ideal for smaller portions of food items. Preparing these for quick meals is a good way to save money and time when shopping. And if you have a clear, tidy fridge with an area specifically for storing these items, it will be much easier to stay on top of your grocery budget!
Keep it Fresh
The most efficient ways to organize your fridge reduce food waste and make your healthy groceries last longer. A few smart strategies keep your fresh food at the proper temperature and help to find what you have in your fridge and where it is.
Crisper drawers are found in many refrigerators. They alter the flow of air and increase humidity, extending the life of vegetables and fruits. It is crucial to use these drawers in a proper manner. If you mix greens with fruit, for instance the ethylene released by the latter may cause the former to turn brown and spoil before it's time. Separating different types of fruits and storing them in the appropriate drawers is crucial.
The shelves that are in the door are the most cosy part of the fridge. They should be used for items that do not require extra cold or specific storage conditions, such as salad dressing jars jams, chutneys, jams and long-life drinks (anything purchased in bulk and having the same expiration date). The top shelf can be used to store beverages like water and milk that can be stored upright.
It isn't easy keeping refrigerator drawers tidy, with things that are moving and jumbling. However, there are simple ways to assist. Set up a refrigerator with drawer dividers. This will keep your food items separate and prevent them from getting squished together. Organizing by size is also useful. It is easier to store items of similar heights together. Don't put items that aren't of the same height in the same drawer.
A thermometer is a essential item to have in your fridge. It's a cheap, easy-to-use tool that will ensure the fridge is at the optimal temperature to keep your food fresh and safe.
Don't forget to keep a supply of plastic grocery bags in your refrigerator for storing produce that doesn't have its own container. The moisture trapped in the bag keeps veggies from rotting too fast. For herbs that normally die within a few days, one of the best ways to keep them fresher for longer is to wash and place them in the glass of water which is just as effective at retaining moisture as the plastic bag.