Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder

A fridge larder can be a great option to store food that is over its prime. It also allows you to manage a smaller refrigerator and save money on your energy bill!

It's a convenient place for storing provisions like eggs, bread, and hard cheeses. Fresh herbs also benefit from low moisture.

Keep It Organized

A fridge larder helps reduce food waste and helps you find ingredients when cooking. However, as with any room in your home, fridge larder the fridge can become messy and chaotic. Here are a few tips to keep your fridge tidy and running smoothly.

Take inventory

The most important part of organizing your fridge is taking inventory, says Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out, look up expiration dates and clean the surfaces." Dispose of food that has expired, throw or freeze leftovers and throw away any food items that aren't eaten before it goes bad.

When you stock up your fridge, be sure the items you use most frequently used are in the front and in the middle, Blakey advises. Then, put away the less-used items in the back and bottom of your fridge.

Organize Your Freezer

If you have a chest freezer, organize it with clear storage bins that help you easily locate foods. Label each bin clearly and place similar items together. Keep condiments in one bin and sodas in a different, and cheese sticks in a third. You can also make use of a lazy Susan to store condiments and other items that are frequently used. This will prevent them from getting lost in the back.

Store foods that need the coldest temperatures at 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. And the crisper drawers are best to store spillage from produce.

Drawer dividers can make your fridge more efficient and are easy to install. They'll stop your vegetables and fruits from rolling around, preventing them from spoiling before you can use them. They'll also help keep your drawers clean and organized. Another simple trick for the refrigerator is to keep tender herbs in water to extend their lifespan. (Mason jars that have one inch of water work well.) You can also purchase an herb preserver to keep in your refrigerator.

Keep It Clearly

Keep your fridge organized to help you select healthy foods and stay satisfied throughout the day. Make sure that all containers for food are clear so you can see the contents. This will also inform you of the number of days you have left on the expiration dates and will prevent you from storing food past its prime.

Begin by giving your refrigerator's larder a thorough clean. Scrub the drawers, shelves and racks using warm water and dishwashing detergent. Give your fridge a thorough clean to rid of any gross crumbs and spills that may have accumulated over time.

Once everything is dry and clean now is the time to replenish your refrigerator. Start with the cheese and deli drawer -- this is where you should keep your cheeses, deli meats leftovers, dairy products and other items. Then, move to the produce drawer, which should be reserved for leafy greens as they tend to fade quickly. Keep it about three-fourths full to ensure maximum freshness.

The pantry drawer in some refrigerators is a great place to store storage of large bags of frozen vegetables and other bulky food items. It is also a great space to store condiments such ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise as well as nut butters and other canned items. Be careful not to store milk here however, as it could go bad quickly due to the fluctuating temperatures inside the fridge containers's door.

Also, the rear of your fridge should be reserved for jarred foods like salad dressings, salad dressings and other condiments that are able to last longer. Use a riser for jars 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.

As you fill 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 quickly identify what each container holds and make it easier to locate what you're looking for. Labeled bins are an excellent method of decluttering your refrigerator and reducing the amount of plastic waste that you produce.

Keep Cool

A fridge with a good larder can keep food at a proper temperature to prevent spoilage and slowing the growth of bacteria. Larders can be built into existing cabinets or stand on their own. They are usually placed on the north-facing side of the home to reduce the sun's exposure. They may also have additional insulation or ventilation to stop heat from getting into the food storage area. They have thicker walls and have fewer windows. They are usually located on the north side of your home to reduce the transfer of heat.

The larder should include a drawer for each type of food item, including 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 overly discolored. A drawer for the larder can be set to a low humidity setting for fruits and vegetables that release a lot of moisture, such as tomatoes or cucumbers.

To preserve cheese, keep it in different drawers in the refrigerator. Wrapped in paper, greaseproof or Clingfilm or greaseproof film, you can keep it fresher for longer. Drinks, non-perishable condiments such as ketchup, eggs, and water can also be stored in the fridge door. Milk shouldn't be stored in the doors of the fridge however, as these shelves tend to be warmer and more unstable than other drawers.

To give your space a more sleek appearance, you can organize small containers to make them more visible. This is helpful for family members who are on the move and need something to eat. Labeling bins or shelves to indicate which foods should be consumed first is also helpful, especially in the event that your family members do not know how to read labels!

A larder is also a great place to store leftovers as well as an assortment of food-safe plastic and glass storage containers that are ideal for holding smaller portions of food items. Making these available for quick meals is a great way to save time and money when shopping. If you have a tidy and organized fridge price, with a designated space for these items it will be easier to keep track 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. Certain smart strategies will help keep your fresh food at the correct temperature and allow you to find what's in your fridge.

Most refrigerators come with crisper drawers designed to alter airflow and boost humidity to extend the life of vegetables and fruits. It is essential to use these drawers properly. If you mix greens and fruits, for instance, the ethylene produced by the latter could cause the former to turn brown and spoil before it's time. Separating the different types of produce and storing them in proper drawers is essential.

Door shelves are often the warmest area of the fridge. They should be reserved for foods that don't need extra cold or storage conditions that are special, such as jam, chutneys, jars of jam salad dressings, and long-life juices (anything bought in bulk with the same use-by date). The top shelf can be used to store drinks like water and milk that can be stored in a upright position.

It isn't easy to keep refrigerator drawers tidy, with things that are moving and jumbling. But there are some simple ways to assist. Consider investing in a set of refrigerator drawer separators. This will help keep your food items separated and prevent them from getting squished together. Organizing by height also helps. Keep produce of similar heights on the same shelf, and don't place items that aren't of the same height next to each other -- raw meat shouldn't be stored in the same drawer as cooked Ham!

A thermometer is essential to have in your refrigerator. It's a simple, Fridge Larder inexpensive and easy to use device that will ensure your fridge is at the optimal temperature to ensure your food is safe and fresh.

Keep a stash in your refrigerator of plastic bags to store produce without containers. The moisture contained in the bag prevents vegetables from rotting. 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 placing them in a water glass. This is just as effective as a plastic sack at keeping moisture.