Kitchen Guide--Food Storage Part 2

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

12 Aug 2006 02:21 PM

In my previous blog "Kitchen Guide-Food Storage Part 1" I provided a list of the best places to store food so they stay fresher, taste better, and deliver more health benefits. Obviously, the refrigerator is an important tool when it comes to food storage. But, as I have learned (the hard way) in order to prolong the shelf life of certain foods, it takes more than just opening the fridge and randomly throwing products in. By putting food items in the "proper" place, you not only extend their shelf life, you also maximize the value of your refrigerator.

Top Shelves

Use these shelves to store the snacks and other food items that you use most often. By placing them at eye level you won't waste time and electricity searching around for them-that includes butter. My mother uses butter every morning and for years kept it in the butter bin on the fridge door. Food experts say that's a big no-no; the door is simply too warm for butter. Instead, they recommend keeping your stick in a covered butter dish on the top or middle shelf. If you don't keep your cheese in a deli drawer then you want to keep it tightly sealed in foil or plastic wrap and store it on a top shelf (the location where it will receive the optimal temperature).

The Bottom Shelf

According to food experts this is where you want to store all your meats. Not only is it the coldest spot in your fridge, the low placement will also prevent any bacteria-laden juices from dripping onto other foods. The bottom shelf is also the ideal place to keep eggs fresher longer. Again, avoid storing them on the fridge door (regardless of whether your refrigerator comes with a built-in storage area for them). Instead, keep them in their original carton and keep the carton shut to avoid odor absorption from other foods. In addition, while milk containers may fit snugly in the side door, resist the temptation to store them there. Milk is especially sensitive to temperature changes, so put it on the shelf as close to the bottom as it will fit.

Veggie Bin or Crisper

The crisper keeps water vapor in, so ideally you want to use this area to store items such as leafy vegetables, broccoli, celery, or any veggies with large surface areas that tend to lose moisture quickly.

Fruit Bin

According to food experts, apples stored at room temperature deteriorate 10 times faster than when they're refrigerated. The best spot to store them is in the fruit bin--away from anything else. Apples give off a natural gas called ethylene that can wilt, spot, or rot other food.

The Door

Because condiments are high in natural preservatives, they're okay in the door. In addition, the fridge door is also the ideal spot for orange juice-provided it is pasteurized. The pasteurization and citric acid hinders bacteria growth, so the door is a prime storage area for it. Also, food experts say, recorked white wine will stay fresh in the fridge door for three to five days. (For unopened wine, lay the bottle down so the cork remains moist.)

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Jaime Egan (2178) 13 Aug 2006 07:13 AM

Thanks for the tips! I think we will have to move some stuff around in the fridge today...

Brownie (1011) 13 Aug 2006 12:30 PM

Thanks! I've been in hospital before with food poisoning; it's no joke. And my husband doesn't listen to me when it comes to leaving things out on the counter all morning, because he's too lazy to put it away... I'm posting your article on the Fridge door tonight! (wish me luck!)

Michele Cheplic (37349) 13 Aug 2006 06:34 PM

Jaime, thank you so much for the comment. I did some shuffling too--the hard part is keeping it that way :)

Michele Cheplic (37349) 13 Aug 2006 06:37 PM

Brownie, thank you for the comment and best of luck to you--I have one of those in my home as well. I sometimes think the only way some people learn is if they get sick from their "mistakes." He's lucky to have someone like you to keep it all straight! :) Good Luck!!