How to Organize Your Refrigerator

During the summer, but not only, the refrigerator becomes a highly wasteful appliance. We open and close it constantly. We stuff too much food inside. We overdo the temperature setting. We misplace food inside. All factors that contribute to a double waste: A increase in unnecessary energy consumption (the refrigerator is a particularly energy-hungry household appliance) and the risk of food spoiling and ends up in the trash. The refrigerator is the guardian of our well-being. We store the food that nourishes the entire family in it, which is why it's important to keep it tidy: not only for convenience but also to best preserve all the food. In fact, a few small oversights can turn the refrigerator into a a breeding ground for mold and bacteria that can threaten all the foods stored thereContrary to what one might imagine, many of these agents are able to survive even at low temperatures and can easily pass from one food to another.

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How to organize the refrigerator

To avoid these eventualities, first of all it is essential clean the refrigerator very carefully at least once every ten daysOn this occasion, pay particular attention to leftovers in drawers, which often risk being hidden, and always remember to defrost the walls. These operations are the first step to preventing food spoilage and avoiding unnecessary waste. To achieve this goal, you must maximize every inch of shelf space without cluttering the space unnecessarily. Here are 10 useful tips on how to keep your refrigerator tidy..

The dispositionYou should know that every refrigerator is designed to have a specific order in which to store food. Pastries, butter, cheeses, and yogurt go on top. The middle shelf is for cooked foods, cold cuts, and sauces. The bottom shelf is for storing meat, fish, and raw foods. Finally, the drawers are for storing fruit and vegetables, while the doors are for storing drinks and sauces, which don't require extremely low temperatures.
advanceCooked foods are the most difficult to store. After letting them cool and placing them in appropriate containers, place them on the second shelf and remember that they shouldn't last longer than 3–5 days. If you're not sure you'll be able to eat them by that time, put them in the freezer. This will significantly extend their shelf life.
Let food cool before putting it in the refrigeratorOne of the golden rules of the refrigerator is to always remember to let food cool before placing it inside. At a higher temperature, the condenser uses more energy to provide the necessary cold, and in the meantime, other foods risk spoiling.
TemperatureFor proper storage, the refrigerator temperature should always be around 4 degrees Celsius. To maintain good ventilation, it's important not to place food against the back wall.
ContainersTo preserve food, it's always best to use containers. These must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid contamination, and when vacuum-packing food, it's essential to make sure they're tightly closed. For food you'll consume within a few days, you can also wrap it in aluminum foil. Containers also help solve the problem of herbs, which can also be improved by placing a container with bicarbonate of soda in the refrigerator, which can absorb much of it.
labelsSpend two minutes labeling the containers. By indicating what's inside and when the products were stored, you'll always have a handle on what's in your fridge without having to uncover everything every time you need it.
Avoid wasteThrowing away food is a real crime. On Non sprecare you will find a thousand ways to reuse leftovers that can become real delightsHowever, when you're certain you'll never eat that food, it's important to clean out as soon as possible—there's no point in procrastinating. To avoid this risk, try not to overdo it with your shopping and always think about your weekly commitments when you're browsing the supermarket aisles.
Memorandum. The classic notes to stick on the refrigerator are best friends for maintaining order inside it and of the excellent allies against wasteMemos, with food expiration dates and consumption priorities, can act as a real food diary that will help you optimize the consumption of the foods you store in the refrigerator.
Don't overfill it. Don't overfill your refrigerator because if cold air can't circulate properly, food preservation may be compromised.
Open and close the door quickly. For the same reason, don't spend long, drawn-out minutes searching for the right item in the refrigerator. Leaving the door open for too long risks lowering the temperature, jeopardizing the preservation of the food.

Temperature

Avoid overheating, otherwise you risk wasting energy and degrading the quality of the food being stored. The ideal temperature is between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius, while the freezer should be around -18 degrees Celsius. Lower temperatures do not preserve food better and increase energy consumption. It's estimated that household electricity consumption increases by 6 percent for every degree higher in the refrigerator. And to get an idea of the costs, consider that in Italy, 25 million refrigerators are in operation 24/7, which alone consume 3,4 percent of the country's electricity.

How to defrost the refrigerator

For defrost To clean the refrigerator, which we need to do during the summer, you only need three natural ingredients: water, vinegar, and baking soda. And a cloth to proceed with due caution. The only problem is that defrosting requires the refrigerator to be empty, including the freezer area. Defrosting has a significant anti-waste effect: ice buildup, in fact, translates into a 20 percent increase in energy consumption.

Where to place the refrigerator?

The fridge needs air and space. From here, the answer to the question of Where to place the refrigerator. Surely in the coolest spot in the kitchen, where there is minimal contact with heat sources (such as the oven) and at least 10 centimeters from the wall, to promote air circulation. If the kitchen is small, don't waste its corners; for example, position the refrigerator between the sink and the stove, creating a sort of triangle. Alternatively, opt for a built-in refrigerator, and in any case, don't overdo it. The refrigerator should always be proportionate to the size of the kitchen.

Foods that don't go in the refrigerator

There are some foods that don't go in the refrigeratorNever. Regardless of the outside temperature. But in general, we point out that fruit needs to ripen at room temperature; if you put it in the refrigerator, you risk slowing down the ripening process and altering its flavor. Refrigerated bread is a curse, except in exceptional cases to avoid wasting it. And even dairy products, for example... mozzarella cheeseThey should be stored in their natural whey. And not in the refrigerator, where they lose their flavor and don't last for days.

What is the coldest shelf in the refrigerator?

To keep the refrigerator tidy and put food in the right points It's also good to know the areas where the lowest and highest temperatures are. The coldest part is the bottom shelf, above the vegetable compartment, where the temperature reaches 2 degrees Celsius. The least cold part, however, is the door.

How to keep your refrigerator organized