Why You Should Focus On Improving Fridge Larder
Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge larder is a great way to store produce that's past its best. It also helps you manage a smaller refrigerator and help you save money on your energy bill!
It's a handy space to store things like eggs, bread, and hard cheeses. There are also fresh herbs which benefit from low humidity.
Keep It Well-organized
A fridge-friendly larder can reduce food waste and also make it easier to locate items when cooking. The refrigerator, as with any other room in your home, can become overcrowded and out of control. Here are some ways to keep your refrigerator running smoothly and organized.
Take inventory
Holly Blakey, an organizer at Breathing room, says that taking inventory is the most important thing to do in organizing your fridge. "Take everything out and check the expiration dates. Clean all surfaces." Get rid of expired foods, toss or freeze leftovers and dispose of all food items that aren't likely to be consumed before they go bad.
When you replenish your fridge, make sure the items you use most frequently used are front and in the middle, Blakey advises. Then, tuck away the less-used items in the back and the bottom of your fridge.
Organize Your Freezer
If you own a chest freezer it is possible to organize it using clear storage containers which will allow you to locate food items more easily. Label each bin clearly and categorize items that are similar. Put condiments in one container, sodas in another, and cheese sticks in another. You can also make use of a lazy Susan to store condiments and other items that are often used. This will prevent them from being lost in the back of your.
Store foods that need the coldest temperatures at the rear of a side by side refrigerator and other items that require warmer temperatures towards the front. The lower shelf is ideal for milk, yogurt, cream and butter (it won't melt). And the crisper drawers are best for storing produce spillover.
Drawer dividers make your refrigerator more efficient and are easy to put in. They'll prevent your vegetables and fruits from rolling around, preventing them from spoiling before you can use them. They'll also keep your drawers tidy and organized. Another easy hack for the fridge is to store tender herbs in water to prolong their life. (Mason jars that have an inch of water work great.) Alternatively, you can buy an herb saver to place in your refrigerator.
Keep It Visible
Keep your fridge organized to make it easier to choose healthy foods and stay content throughout the day. Make sure that all of your lids and containers for food are clean so that you can see what's inside. This will also let you know how many days remain on the expiration dates and will prevent you from storing food past its prime.
Get your fridge's larder started with a thorough cleaning by cleaning the drawers, shelves and racks using warm water and dish soap. Give your refrigerator a thorough clean to remove any crumbs or gross spills that may have been accumulating.
Restock your fridge once everything is dry and clean. Start with the cheese and deli drawer -- this is the place to store your deli meats, cheeses leftovers, dairy products and other items. Then move to the produce drawer, which should be reserved for leafy greens since they tend to wilt quickly. Keep it at least three quarters full to ensure maximum freshness.
The pantry drawer in some refrigerators can be useful for storage of large bags of frozen vegetables, and other food items that are bulky. This area can be used to store condiments such as mustard and ketchup along with nut-butters and other canned goods. Be careful not to store milk here though, as it can become rotten quickly due the fluctuating temperatures within the refrigerator door.
The back of your refrigerator should be reserved for salad dressings, condiments and other jarred food items that will last for a long time. Use a riser for jars to make them easier to read. This will help you avoid opening and closing the lids multiple times.
As you fill every bin, make it a goal to label it with the help of a marker or stickers that are easy to read. This will make it easier for your family members to know the contents of each bin, and for you to locate the items you require. Labeled bins are an excellent way of decluttering your fridge and reducing the amount plastic waste you create.
Keep It Cool
A fridge with a good larder can keep food at the correct temperature to prevent spoilage and slowing bacterial growth. Larders can be incorporated into existing cabinetry or stand on their own. They are typically placed on the north-facing side of the house to reduce sunlight exposure. They may also have additional insulation or ventilation to prevent heat from entering the food storage area. They have thicker walls and have fewer windows. They are usually located on the north side of your house to reduce heat transfer.
The larder should have a drawer for each type of food, such as meat and vegetables. Each drawer should be programmed to maintain the proper temperature. This will ensure that the chicken and burgers are cooked to perfection, but the salad greens won't be too discolored. You can set the drawer of your larder to low-humidity for any fruit or vegetable that release a lot moisture, like tomatoes or cucumbers.
Other drawers in the fridge can contain items such as cheese, fresh cream, hard and freshwrapped in paper or chest freezer greaseproof or clingfilm to preserve it for longer. Other items that can be stored in the refrigerator's doors include beverages and non-perishable condiments (like ketchup) as well as eggs, water and. The door of the refrigerator is not the ideal location to store milk as it tends to be more warm and unstable than other drawers.
To create a more streamlined appearance, you can organize small containers to make them more visible. This is beneficial for family members who are traveling and need something to eat. Labelling shelves or bins to identify which food items are best eaten first is also beneficial, especially when your family members don't know how to read labels!
A larder is also an ideal place to store leftovers. You can keep them in various glass and plastic containers that are safe for food. These are perfect for smaller amounts of food items. Preparing these for quick meals is a great way to save money and time when shopping. If you have a neat, tidy fridge with a dedicated space for storing these, it will be easier to keep on top of your food budget!
Keep It Fresh
The best ways to organize your fridge reduce food waste and help 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 most refrigerators. They alter the airflow and increase humidity, thus extending the shelf life of vegetables and fruits. But it's important to use them properly. If you mix greens and fruit, for instance, the ethylene released by the latter can cause the former to wilt and then spoil quickly. 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 that are in the door are the most cosy part of the fridge. They should be used for items that don't require extra cold or specific storage conditions, such as jars of salad dressings jams, chutneys, jams and long-life drinks (anything that is bought in bulk and having the same expiration date). The top shelf is ideal for drinks that can be stored upright without leaks, such as water and milk.
It isn't easy to keep refrigerator drawers arranged, with items that are moving and jumbling. However, there are simple tricks to help. First, purchase refrigerator drawer dividers to keep the food items separate and prevent them from colliding with each other. Organizing by height also helps. Produce of similar heights can be stored together. Don't store items that aren’t the same height in the same drawer.
A thermometer should be located in your fridge. It's an inexpensive, easy-to-use tool that can ensure that your fridge is operating at the right temperature to ensure that your food is fresh and safe.
Don't forget to keep a stash of plastic grocery bags in your fridge to store produce that doesn't have its own container. The moisture contained inside the bag helps keep vegetables from becoming rotten too quickly. For herbs that usually go through a slow decline in the course of a day you can keep them fresher longer by washing them and putting them in a glass of water. This is as efficient as a plastic bag in retaining moisture.
