How to properly store food in the refrigerator?

Storing food in the refrigerator involves certain rules. Even experienced hostesses do not always correctly place products inside the fridge. Usually everything is arranged in a chaotic order: vegetables, canned foods, cooked meals, etc. As a result, the food quickly dries out and gets moldy, becoming unfit for consumption. Let's look at how to properly place food in the refrigerator and general guidelines for storing food in the refrigerator.

Rules for Keeping Different Foods in the Fridge

Vegetables and fruit

This category of food should be stored separately from the rest of the products. Their shelf life is affected by absolutely everything - humidity, temperature, as well as the product itself. Some fruits and vegetables release ethylene which speeds up the ripening process, for example apples. To avoid affecting other foods, the ethylene must be kept away from other fruits and vegetables.

There are refrigerators with a special freshness zone where herbs, vegetables and fruits are kept much longer. Never leave fruits and vegetables in closed bags, because the concentration of ethylene becomes higher. Consequently, other fruits will quickly go bad. Also the level of condensation in the bag increases, which provokes the appearance of mold.

Greens

On average, greens in the refrigerator remain fresh for 6 days. Shelf life can be longer if you place them in the «freshness zone.« You can also put herbs in the freezer, where they stay fresh longer and retain their qualities for several months.

Fresh Fish

All fresh fish has various microorganisms that affect shelf life. To slow down the activity of these organisms in fish, you need to store at temperatures between -2 and 0 degrees Celsius. In a standard refrigerator, fish will only stay fresh for 24 hours.

If it is not possible to put the fish in the freezer because you plan to cook it, fill a container with ice and put the fish in it. This makes it possible to extend the shelf life up to 3 days. Also, some refrigerators have a special area with a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius, where it is ideal to place the fish. For long term storage, send the fish to the freezer.

Fresh Meat

You can store fresh meat in the refrigerator for no more than a day. If you plan to cook it in a few days, send it to the freezer. Before placing the meat in the freezer you should put it in a thick package so that it does not become weathered.

Eggs

Only clean eggs should be stored in the refrigerator because chicken feces can have salmonella bacteria. There is a chance that they will get onto other foods. Eggs can only be stored for 2 weeks. In a special area at 0 degrees Celsius can be stored for up to 45 days.

General recommendations

If you want to extend the shelf life of food, stick to some rules:

• Sign the shelves - you will always put food on the same shelf;
• Do not stack your food too tightly - air circulation must be respected;
• buy a thermometer - the temperature of your fridge should be under 5 degrees Celsius;
• Do not keep bread, garlic, onions, potatoes, honey, olive oil, and breakfast cereals in the refrigerator.

Adhering to these guidelines will help you store foods correctly in the refrigerator. This will extend their shelf life.