10 Reasons You ll Need To Be Aware Of Fridge Larder
Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge's larder can be an ideal location to store food items that are no longer in use. It also lets you run a smaller fridge and help you save money on your energy bill!
It's an ideal location to store items such as hard cheeses, breads and eggs. Then there's fresh herbs which benefit from low humidity.
Keep It Well-organized
A fridge's larder helps cut down on food waste and makes it easier to find items when cooking. The refrigerator, as with any other room in your house, can become messy and unorganized. Here are some ways to ensure that your refrigerator runs smoothly and well-organized.
Take inventory
The most important aspect of organizing your kitchen is to take inventory, according to Holly Blakey, a professional organizer at Breathing Room. "Take everything out, check expiration dates and clean the surfaces." Throw out expired foods, toss or freeze leftovers and throw away any food items that aren't intended to be eaten before they turn bad.
Blakey suggests putting the most frequently used items on the front of your fridge. Then, you can put away the items that aren't used in the back and the bottom of your fridge.
Organize Your Freezer
If you have a chest freestanding freezer put it in order with clear storage bins that will help you easily locate foods. Label each bin clearly and group similar items together. For instance, you could store a bin for condiments, freezers (more about Mariskamast) another one for sodas, and another for cheese sticks. You can also make use of a lazy Susan to store condiments and other items that are frequently used. This will prevent them from being lost in the back.
Store food items that require coldest temperatures at the rear of a side by side fridge, and food items that require warmer temperatures towards the front. The lower shelf is great for cream, milk, butter (it won't melt), yogurt and any other items that don't require constant temperatures. The crisper drawers work best for spilled food items.
Drawer dividers can make your fridge more efficient and are simple to install. They'll stop your vegetables and fruits from splattering around, and prevent them from spoiling before you can use them. Plus, they'll help your drawers stay clean and organized. Another simple trick for the fridge is storing tender herbs in water to extend their lifespan. (Mason jars that have an inch of water work well.) You can also buy an herb preserver to keep in your refrigerator.
Make sure it is visible
Keep your fridge well organized to help you select healthy foods and stay satisfied throughout the day. Make sure that all food containers are transparent so you can see the contents. This will inform you of the number of days are left until the expiration dates, and also prevent you from keeping food that is past its expiration date.
Start by giving your fridge's larder a thorough clean. Scrub the drawers, shelves and racks using warm water and dishwashing soap. Give your fridge a thorough scrub to get rid of any crumbs or gross spills that may have built up.
Once everything is dry and clean now is the time to replenish your refrigerator. Start by storing your cheeses and deli meats in the drawer. Then, move to the produce drawer. This is where you should store the leafy greens as they can quickly wilt. Keep it filled to three-fourths for maximum 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. You can also use this space to store condiments such mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup and nut butters and other canned goods. Avoid storing any milk here however, as it may go bad quickly due to the fluctuating temperatures within the fridge door.
The back of your refrigerator should be used for condiments, salad dressings and other jarred food items that last for longer. Use a riser for containers to make them easier to read. This can save you from having to open and close the lid several times, which can prolong the longevity of your condiments.
Label each bin using a marker, or with stickers that can be easily read. This will make it easier for your family to understand the contents of each container and to locate the items you require. Labeled bins are a great method of decluttering your refrigerator and reducing the amount of plastic waste you create.
Keep it Cool
A well-designed fridge larder will keep food at a proper temperature which prevents spoilage and slows the growth of bacteria. Larders can be built into existing cabinetry or stand on their own. They are usually placed on the north-facing side of the house to limit sun exposure and could also have additional insulation or ventilation systems to stop heat from entering the food storage area. They have walls that are thicker, fewer windows and are generally placed on the north side of your home to reduce heat transfer.
A larder should include an area for meat storage and one for vegetables, each with a specific setting that can be programmed to the proper temperature. This will ensure that the chicken and burgers are cooked to perfection, however the salad greens won't be overly wilted. You can also set the larder drawer to low humidity for fruits or vegetables that release a lot of moisture like cucumbers or tomatoes.
To preserve cheese, keep it in different drawers of the fridge. Wrapped in greaseproof paper, clingfilm or greaseproof film to keep it fresher for longer. Other items that can be stored in the refrigerator's doors include beverages as well as condiments that are not perishable (like ketchup) eggs, water, and other liquids. Milk shouldn't be stored in the fridge doors, however - these shelves tend to be warmer and more unstable than other drawers.
For a streamlined appearance, separating small containers of food and snacks can make them more visible and useful when family members are looking for something to eat in the car. Labelling shelves and bins to indicate what needs to be eaten first can also be helpful, especially in the case of family members who aren't used to reading labels!
A larder can also be an ideal storage space for leftovers, as well as various food-safe glass and plastic storage containers, which are ideal for holding smaller portions of food items. These containers are great for saving time and money while shopping. If you have a tidy well-organized fridge that has a designated space for these items It will make it easier to keep track of your grocery budget.
Keep it fresh
The best ways to organize your fridge reduce food waste and make your healthy food items last longer. Certain smart strategies will help keep your fresh food items at the right temperature and make it easy to see what's in your fridge.
Crisper drawers are found in the majority of refrigerators. They alter the flow of air and increase humidity, which can extend the lifespan of vegetables and fruits. However, it is important to use them properly. If you mix greens and fruits, for instance, the ethylene produced by the latter may cause the former to turn brown and then spoil quickly. It is also important to separate produce types and keep them in drawers that are appropriate for the type of produce.
The shelves that are in the door are the warmest part in the fridge. They should be used for items that don't require extra cold or specific conditions of storage like jars of salad dressings, jams, chutneys and drinks with a long shelf life (anything that is bought in bulk and having the same expiration date). The top shelf can be used to store drinks like water and milk that can be stored in a upright position.
It can be difficult to keep refrigerator drawers tidy, with things that are moving and jumbling. However, there are simple tips to help. First, you should invest in a set of refrigerator drawer dividers to keep your food items separated and stop them from colliding against each other. It is also beneficial. It is easier to store items of similar heights together. Don't put items that aren't of the same height in the same drawer.
A thermometer is another must-have for your fridge larder. It's a low-cost, easy to use tool that will ensure that your fridge is at an ideal temperature to ensure your food is fresh and safe.
Keep a stash in your fridge of plastic bags for storing produce that is not in a container. The moisture contained in the bag prevents vegetables from rotting too quickly. For herbs that normally 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 glass of water. This is just as efficient as a plastic bag at conserving moisture.