How To Organise Your Fridge
When you arrive home late from work, after picking the kids up from school, or have had a busy day, most people are guilty of just cramming food into the fridge without giving it much thought. But having a well-organised fridge not only looks good but being able to clearly see what items you have before they go bad can save you so much money.
Organising your fridge effectively is also essential for maintaining freshness, reducing food waste, and ensuring a safe and hygienic kitchen. A well-arranged fridge helps you keep track of what's inside and ensures that they are stored at the correct temperatures. With this proper organisation, meal prep becomes easier, and you will be able to locate items much faster. Whether you own a small fridge or a spacious one, a thoughtful approach to arrangement can make a difference in your daily routine.
The Break Down
Upper Shelves
The upper shelves are ideal for storing items that do not require the coldest temperatures. Since this area maintains a consistent but slightly warmer temperature compared to the lower sections, it's perfect for ready-to-eat foods like leftovers, drinks, snacks, and pre-prepared meals. You can also keep items like yoghurt, cheese, and deli meats here.
Avoid placing raw meats or highly perishable items on these shelves, as they need to be stored in cooler parts of the fridge to prevent spoilage. By keeping frequently used items here, you’ll have easy access to them without disrupting the organisation of your fridge.
Lower/Middle Shelves
The lower and middle shelves of your fridge are typically colder than the upper shelves, making them ideal for storing more perishable items. Dairy products like milk, eggs, and cream should be placed here to maintain their freshness. You can also store pre-cooked dishes or meal ingredients that need to stay cold.
If your fridge doesn't have a designated meat drawer, the lower shelves are also a safe spot for storing raw meat, fish, and poultry, as the colder temperature will help prevent bacterial growth. Be sure to keep raw meats in sealed containers to avoid cross-contamination with other foods. Proper organisation on these shelves ensures that items stay fresh and easy to access.
Bottom Shelf
The bottom shelf of your fridge is the coldest section, making it the best place to store highly perishable items like raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Keeping these items on the bottom shelf helps prevent their juices from dripping onto other foods, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
It’s also a good idea to store these items in airtight containers or on a tray to contain any potential leaks. Additionally, this shelf can be used for storing bulkier items that require colder temperatures, such as large containers of juice or milk. Organising your bottom shelf with safety in mind ensures that your fridge stays hygienic and your food stays fresh longer.
Drawers
The drawers in your fridge, often called crisper drawers, are designed to help preserve fresh produce by controlling humidity levels. Most fridges have two drawers: one with higher humidity for vegetables and one with lower humidity for fruits.
The higher humidity drawer helps leafy greens, broccoli, and other moisture-sensitive vegetables stay crisp by preventing wilting. Meanwhile, the lower humidity drawer is ideal for fruits like apples, berries, and grapes, which prefer a drier environment to avoid spoiling too quickly. Some fridges also have a deli drawer, which maintains a colder temperature, perfect for storing cheeses, deli meats, and other prepared foods. Using the drawers properly ensures your produce stays fresher for longer.
Door Shelves
The door shelves are the warmest part of the fridge due to frequent opening and closing, making them best suited for items that are less temperature-sensitive. Condiments, sauces, jams, and drinks like juices or bottled water are ideal for this space since they are more shelf-stable and less prone to expiring.
However, avoid placing highly perishable items like milk or eggs here, as the temperature fluctuations may cause them to expire faster. By using the door shelves for long-lasting items, you can free up space in the colder sections of the fridge for foods that require more consistent cooling.