Keeping your fridge and cupboards tidy
“Tidy fridge”, “organise fridge”, “store foods”... these are frequent enquiries on search engines showing how much of a headache it can be! However, food stored and kept accordingly - whether in the fridge, freezer or kitsch cupboards - is also a way to save money and decrease food waste. Our advice, tricks and good practices for optimised storing.
The fridge
Tidying is important but always respect the cold chain to avoid surprises and bacteria. Beware that depending on the type of fridge, the cold zones are set up differently: the coldest part is either all the way on top or at the very bottom (you can find out in your user manual or with a thermometer). The coldest area (0 to 4 degrees celsius) is great for meat, fish, cold cuts, fresh cheeses, milk-based desserts, packaged salads… In the 4 to 6 degrees celsius area, you can store homemade meals, cooked meat and fish or yoghurts. Fresh fruits and vegetables as well as ripened cheeses go in the crisper. Meanwhile, the door is great for eggs, butter, milk, bottled sauces, fruit juices and other beverages. Think of removing all extra plastic and cardboard packaging.
The freezer
Storing foods well is also about optimising freezer use. As for the fridge, temperatures are essential: the thermometer should indicate -18 degree celsius. For products bought already frozen, you just need to follow instructions on the packaging to ensure the right storage - always respecting the cold chain. If you are freezing. meat and fish, fresh fruits and vegetables or even leftovers, put them in adapted containers (plastic bags for that purpose or containers with a lid). As a bonus, there are small appliances to vacuum seal food to better keep their taste and save some space. Think about regularly doing an inventory and a deep clean (especially of the fridge) with soapy water or even bleach.
The cupboards
Tidying food is also about tidying your cupboards. In this area, we did not think about anything better than investing in some boxes or trays cautiously aligned on the shelves and in the drawers. Start with sorting through everything you have (yes, you need to free up some space!), then spread the food in different boxes or trays, ideally transparent ones so you can see the quantities. Glass jars are both pretty and sustainable: perfect to store flour, legumes, nuts, cereals, pasta, rice, spices… You now know everything for a perfectly tidy kitchen!