image source: chowhound.com
Refrigerator cleaning is quite a tiresome process. But unfortunately everyone who owns a refrigerator has to do it at least once in a week. One would feel really sad to throwaway leftover food stuffs as it translates to wasting money in the long run. According to some chefs and dietitians there is a way to prevent by using smarter methods to preserve food. Let us have a look at them.
Refrigerator is not for all the food stuffs
According to studies you should not store some fruits and veggies in close proximity as they tend to get spoilt faster if they are stored in this way. This is because some of the produce emits ethylene gas which can spoil other foodstuffs. Also you should take care not to store potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, melons, peaches, pears and nectarines in the fridge. It is a wise idea to store them in a cool and dry place.
Do not wash the food stuffs before refrigerating
Everyone is aware of the fact that they have to wash fruits and vegetables before cooking them. But one should take care not to wash them before refrigerating as it will lead to the growth of disease causing bacteria.
Keep the groceries immediately in the refrigerator
You have to place food items like dairy products, meat and groceries within an hour or two of purchasing in the refrigerator. This will protect you from illnesses as bacteria tend to multiply in higher temperatures. Also take care to separate raw meat and cold cuts and place meat in the lower most shelf of the refrigerator
Freeze food
If you happen to buy a lot of fruits and vegetables; more than you can use just freeze them to increase their shelf life. The same goes to soups and sauces as well. But you should take care to store liquids in small batches to keep them tasting fresh for a longer time.
Fridge door
Fridge door has a lot of temperature fluctuations and hence it is not the ideal place to store easily perishable items like milk and eggs. Also take care not to crowd the fridge shelves as this will prevent air from circulating thereby spoiling the food items.
Storage of Greens
When you buy a bunch of greens in a plastic bag at the super market, make sure to place some paper towels around them before shoving them in the refrigerator. This will prevent moisture from piling up and destroying the greens. You can also store them upright just like flowers in a tumbler carrying fresh water. Another hack is to trim the stems, wind them with a plastic sheet and keep the greens in the fridge. All these tips prevent greens from spoiling.
Make foods to look good
Invest in a set of nice looking see through storage containers. This will help you to eat the food without wasting too much money buying newer foods while the old ones are still present. It is also a great idea to place a bubble wrap at the basement of fruit drawer to prevent fruits from getting scratches.
Organize the groceries
When you buy new groceries take care to place the old ones in the front of the fridge and the newer ones at the back of the fridge. Doing this way will ensure that you will use your old groceries before they get spoiled thereby helping you in saving some bucks.
Know the shelf life
You should always make sure to have prior knowledge about the shelf life of foods before purchasing them. This will prevent unwanted anxiety that some foods might perish when actually they do not. For example – Green leaves and tomatoes last for a few days whereas onions, sweet potatoes and potatoes last up to two weeks even without refrigeration.
