Food storage seems to be a simple task. It is, however, much more than that. If you don’t store your food properly, you might waste a lot of it. This can have an effect on both the environment and your money. We all want our foods to stay fresh for as long as possible so we can really make the most of them. Here are some pointers to help you get there.

Photo by Ron Lach

Make Sure Your Fridge Is At The Right Temperature 

Accidental temperature changes in the refrigerator are not uncommon, and they can be disastrous. When food isn’t kept at the right temperature, it’s more likely to go bad. For cooked foods like authentic drunken noodles to keep for a few days, you must refrigerate them at the appropriate temperature. As a result, make sure the temperature is right and do frequent thermometer checks. At least 5 degrees Celsius or 40 degrees Fahrenheit is required.

Store Meat On The Bottom Shelf Of The Fridge

The juice that drips off of meat can make other foods go bad very quickly. Putting it on the lower shelf will keep the liquid from falling. If you don’t have any more room on the lower shelf, put another tray under the tray where the meat is so that the liquid that drips from the meat falls into the tray.

Store Opened Sauces In The Fridge

You can keep sauces and condiments that come in bottles from the store in your pantry as long as you haven’t opened them. But if you open it and use some of it, you should put what’s left in the fridge. This will stop the sauce from going off and stop bacteria from growing in it.

Keep Dairy Products At The Back Of The Fridge

Experts say that the temperature is the coolest in the back of the refrigerator. It might be tempting to put the milk in the front of the fridge so you can get it quickly whenever you need it, but this could speed up the process of food going bad. So, it’s best to put milk, yogurt, and other dairy products in the back. It will last longer in the cooler temperatures. 

Use A Paper Towel For Green Vegetables 

Whether you purchase veggies from the grocery store or grow them in your own backyard, you must know how to store them properly. If you store your cabbage, lettuce, or other green vegetables in a regular bag, slimy residue may build up and make a mess. To prevent this, place a paper towel inside the bags, which will rapidly absorb any extra moisture. The same goes for leftover salad greens from supper.

Don’t Wash The Food Immediately 

It’s common for people to wash their produce as soon as they get it home from the supermarket. However, this is definitely not the right time if you want the fruit and vegetables to last longer and not be wasted. You should actually only put them in the water when you are ready to eat them. This is because if you store produce that has been washed, mold is more likely to grow, which will turn the food bad much more quickly. 

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This is a contributed post