How To Beat Your Boss Fridge Larder
Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge larder can be the ideal place to store expired produce. It also allows you to run a smaller refrigeration fridge and reduce your energy bill!
It's a convenient place for storing provisions like eggs, bread and hard cheeses. Fresh herbs also benefit from the lack of moisture.
Keep It Organized
A fridge's larder helps cut down on food waste and helps you find items while cooking. However, as with any space in your home, the fridge can become messy and uncontrollable. Here are a few tips to keep your fridge organized and functioning smoothly.
Take inventory
The most important aspect of organizing your fridge is taking inventory, says Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out, check expiration dates and clean the surfaces." Throw out expired foods and throw away leftovers and dispose of any foods that aren't going to be eaten before they turn bad.
When you restock your fridge, be sure the items you use most frequently used are in the front and the center, Blakey advises. Then, put away the less-used items in the back and the bottom of your fridge.
Organize Your Freezer
If you own a chest freezer you can arrange it using clear storage containers that will help you find foods easier. Label each bin clearly and group items that are similar together. For instance, you could put a bin in the pantry for condiments, another one for sodas, and another for cheese sticks. You can also make use of a lazy Susan for condiments and other frequently used items to keep them from being lost in the back.
Keep food items that require coldest temperatures in the back of a side by side fridge and foods that require warmer temperatures towards the front of. The lower shelf is great for cream, milk or butter (it doesn't melt) yogurt and other items that don't require constant temperatures. The crisper drawers are best to store spilled fruits and vegetables.
Drawer dividers can make your fridge more functional and are easy to install. They will prevent your vegetables and fruits from getting lost in. This will stop them from spoiling. Additionally, they'll help ensure that your drawers stay clean and well-organized. Another easy hack for the fridge is to store tender herbs in water to prolong their life. (Mason jars with one inch of water work great.) You can also purchase an herb preserver to keep in your refrigerator.
Keep it visible
Keep your fridge organized to help you choose healthy food choices and feel satisfied throughout the day. Make sure that all your lids and containers for food are clear so you can see what's inside. This will let you know the number of days left on your expiration date and make sure you don't store food that is over its best.
Start by giving your refrigerator's larder a thorough cleaning. Scrub the drawers, shelves, and racks using warm water and dishwashing soap. Give your fridge an excellent clean-up to rid it of any gross spills and crumbs that might have accumulated over time.
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 and dairy items. Then, you can move to the produce drawer. This is where you should put away the leafy greens as they can are prone to wilting. Make sure it is at least three-quarters full to ensure freshness.
The pantry drawer in some refrigerators is a great place to store storing party trays, large bags of frozen vegetables and other bulky food items. This space can be used to store condiments, such as mustard and ketchup, as well as nut-butters, and other canned goods. Milk should not be stored in this area as the temperature may fluctuate and cause it to spoil quickly.
Also, the back of your fridge should be reserved for jarred meals such as salad dressings, salad dressings, and other condiments that will last longer. Use a riser for jars to make them easier to read. This will help you avoid closing and opening the lids a few times.
As you fill each bin, make it a point to label it with a marker or stickers that are easy to read. This will make it easier for your family to identify what each container contains and also for you to locate the items you need. Adding some labeled bins is also a great way to declutter your fridge and decrease the amount of plastic waste you generate.
Keep it Cool
A good fridge larder keeps food at a proper 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 located on the north side of your home to minimize sun exposure and can also be equipped with insulation or ventilation systems to stop heat from entering the food storage area. They also typically have thicker walls and less windows to keep the inside at less temperature than other parts of your home.
The larder should have a drawer for each type of food, industrial fridges for sale (nagievonline.com) like meat and vegetables. Each drawer can be programmed to maintain the proper temperature. This ensures that chicken and burgers are cooked well, but that the salad greens don't get excessively wilted. You can also set the larder drawer to low-humidity for fruits or vegetables that release a lot moisture like cucumbers or tomatoes.
To preserve cheese, keep it in other drawers of the fridge. Wrapped in greaseproof paper, Clingfilm or greaseproof film, you can keep it fresher for longer. Other items that can be stored in the refrigerator's door include beverages as well as condiments that are not perishable (like ketchup), water and eggs. Milk should not be kept in the doors of the fridge however, as these shelves are warmer and more 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 useful for family members who are on the move and need food. Labeling bins or shelves to show which food items should be eaten first is also helpful, especially if your family members don't know how to read labels!
Larders are also a great place to keep leftovers. You can keep them in a variety of glass and plastic containers that are safe for food. These are perfect to store smaller portions of food items. Making these available for quick meals is a good way to save money and time when shopping. If you have a tidy, organized fridge with a designated space cheap fridges for sale these items it will make it easier to stay on top 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 help keep fresh foods at the proper temperature and make it easier to know what you have in your fridge and where it is.
The majority of refrigerators have crisper drawers that are designed to alter airflow and increase humidity to prolong the life of vegetables and fruits. However, it is important to use them properly. If you mix greens with fruit, for instance the ethylene produced by the latter may cause the former to wilt and spoil before it's time. It is also essential to separate different types of fruits and vegetables and keep them in the proper drawers.
Door shelves are typically the warmest area of the fridge and should be reserved for foods that don't require extra cold or storage conditions that are special, such as jam, chutneys, jars of jam salad dressings, and long-life juices (anything purchased in bulk and with the same date of use). The top shelf is ideal for beverages that can be stored upright and without leaks, such as milk and water.
It isn't easy keeping refrigerator drawers arranged, with items that are moving and jumbling. However, there are simple tips to help. First, you should invest in refrigerator drawer dividers that keep your food items separated and stop them from colliding with each other. The idea of organizing by height is helpful. Keep items of similar heights on the same shelf, and don't store things that aren't the same size next to each other Raw meat shouldn't be stored in the same drawer with cooked Ham!
A thermometer is another important item to have for your fridge's larder. It's a simple, inexpensive and easy to use device that will ensure your fridge is operating at the optimal temperature to keep your food safe and fresh.
Don't forget to keep a stash of plastic grocery bags in your refrigerator for storing produce that doesn't have its own container. The moisture contained in the bag prevents vegetables from rotting. And for herbs that would normally wilt within days, an easy method to keeping them fresher longer is to wash and put them in a glass of water, which is as efficient in retaining moisture than the plastic bag.