Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge's larder is an ideal storage space for expired food items. It also lets you run a smaller fridge and help you save money on your energy bill!
It's a great location to store items such as hard cheeses, breads and eggs. Fresh herbs also benefit from the lack of moisture.
Keep It Organized
A fridge larder can help reduce food waste and make it easier to locate items when cooking. The refrigerator, as with any other room in your house can become messy and unorganized. Here are some tips to keep your fridge organized and functioning smoothly.
Take inventory
Holly Blakey, an organizer at Breathing room She says that taking inventory is the most important thing to do to organize your refrigerator. "Take everything out, check expiration dates, and wash the surfaces." Dispose of food that has expired, throw or freeze leftovers, and get rid of everything that isn't eatable before it goes bad.
When fridges for sale replenish your fridge, ensure that the items you use most frequently used are in the front and center, Blakey advises. Then, put away the items that aren't used in the back and the bottom of your fridge.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a freezer in your chest arrange it using clear storage bins to help you easily locate foods. Label each bin clearly and group items that are similar together. Put condiments in one container, sodas in another, and cheese sticks in the third. You can also make use of a lazy Susan to store condiments and other items that are frequently used. This will stop them from getting lost in the back of your.
In a refrigerator with a side-byside you can store food items that require the coldest temperatures in the back and warmer foods toward the front. The lower shelf is great for milk, cream and butter (it will not melt), yogurt and any other items that don't need consistent temperatures. And the crisper drawers are ideal for storing spillage of produce.
Drawer dividers are an affordable and easy way to make your refrigerator more efficient. They'll keep your vegetables and fruits from rolling around. This will stop the food from spoiling. They'll also help keep your drawers neat and tidy. To extend the time of tender herbs keep them in water. (Mason jars that have one inch of water work great.) You can also purchase an herb preserver to keep in your refrigerator.
Keep it Visible
A well-organized fridge will make it easier to find healthy foods that keep you full and happy throughout the day. Make sure that all of your containers for food are clear so you can see the contents. This will tell you the remaining days on your expiration date and make sure you don't store food that's over its best.
Start by giving your fridge's larder a thorough clean. Scrub the shelves, drawers, and racks using warm water and dishwashing detergent. Give your refrigerator a thorough clean to remove any food debris and spills that might have accumulated.
Once everything is clean and dry, it's time to restock your refrigerator. Start with the deli and cheese drawer -- this is where you should keep your deli meats, cheeses leftovers, dairy items and other food items. Then, move to the produce drawer. This is where you should keep greens that are leafy because they will are prone to wilting. Keep it filled to three-fourths for maximum freshness.
The pantry drawers in certain refrigerators can be useful for storage of large bags of frozen vegetables and other food items that are bulky. You can also use this area to house condiments like mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup as well as nut butters and other canned items. Avoid storing any milk here though, as it can go bad quickly due to the fluctuating temperatures within the refrigerator door.
The back of your refrigerator should be used for condiments, salad dressings and other jarred food items that can last an extended period of time. Consider using a riser in order to raise jars so that they are easier to read. This will prevent you from having to open and close the lid a few times, which will increase the life of your condiments.
As you stock each bin, make a point to label it with the help of a marker or stickers that are easy to read. This will let your family members to easily recognize what each container is and make it easier for you to find what you're looking for. Labeled bins are an excellent method of reducing the clutter in your fridge and reducing the amount of plastic waste that you produce.
Keep it Cool
A good fridge larder keeps food at the right temperature to prevent spoilage and slowing the growth of bacteria. Larders are built into existing cabinets or stand on their own. They are typically placed on the north-facing side of the house to limit the sun's exposure. They could also be equipped with additional insulation or ventilation to keep heat from entering the food storage area. They have walls that are thicker, fewer windows and are usually located on the north side of your house to minimize the transfer of heat.
A larder must have an area for meat storage and one for vegetables each with a distinct setting that can be programmed to the appropriate temperature. This will ensure that the chicken and burgers are cooked to perfection, however the salad greens won't get too damaged. You can set the drawer of your larder to a low-humidity setting for vegetables or fruits that release a lot of moisture, like tomatoes or cucumbers.
To preserve cheese, you can keep it in other drawers of the fridge. Wrapped in paper, greaseproof or clingfilm or greaseproof film to keep it fresher for longer. Other items that can be stored in the refrigerator door include drinks and condiments that are not perishable (like ketchup), water and eggs. The refrigerator door isn't the best location to store milk because it is more warm and unstable than other drawers.
To give your space a more sleek appearance, you can arrange small containers to make them easier to see. This is beneficial for family members who are moving around and require food. Labelling shelves and bins to show what should be eaten first could be helpful, particularly in the case of family members who aren't used to reading labels!
A larder can also be the ideal storage space for leftovers, as well as an assortment of food-safe glass and plastic storage containers that are ideal for smaller portions of food items. Preparing these for quick meals is a sure way to save time and money when shopping. If you have a tidy and organized fridge, with an area designated for these items, it will make it easier to keep track of your grocery budget.
Keep It Fresh
The best fridge organization tips reduce food waste by ensuring your healthy food items last longer. Some smart strategies will keep your fresh food at the correct temperature and allow you to see what's in your fridge.
Crisper drawers are a part of most refrigerators. They alter the airflow and increase humidity, thus extending the life of vegetables and fruits. It's important to use these drawers in a proper manner. Mixing greens and fruit can cause the former, like the greens, to wilt or become spoiled because of the ethylene that is produced. It is also crucial to separate the different types of produce and store them in drawers that are appropriate for the type of produce.
The shelves in the door are the most warm part of the fridge. They are best used for items that don't require special cold or storage conditions such as salad dressing jars, jams, chutneys and long-life drinks (anything bought in bulk and with the same expiration date). The top shelf is perfect for drinks that can be stored upright without leaking, including water and milk.
Refrigerator drawers can be tricky to organize with all the items moving around and getting jumbled together, but there are some simple tricks that can help. First, purchase a set of refrigerator drawer dividers to keep the food items separate and prevent them from squishing against each other. The idea of organizing by height is helpful. Produce of similar heights can be stored together. Don't place items that aren’t the same height in the same drawer.
A thermometer is a must-have for your fridge larder. It's a low-cost, simple-to-use tool that will ensure the fridge is operating at the right temperature to ensure that your food is in the best condition and is freshest.
Don't forget to keep a supply of plastic grocery bags in your fridge for storing items that don't have their own container. The moisture trapped in the bag keeps veggies from rotting too quickly. For herbs that usually will wilt over time, you can keep them fresher longer by washing them and placing them in a glass of water. This is as effective as a plastic sack in conserving moisture.