It does n’t have to be Thanksgiving weekend for you to understand the economic value of properfridge brass . Without a program , a once - clean icebox can be overwhelmed with old leftover and expired grocery items in a manner of days .

But it does n’t have to be that way . By lead the fourth dimension to explore the wide variety of icebox organisation thought available , you may take your fridge organization secret plan to an altogether different level .

A Beginner’s Guide to Refrigerators

Think yourrefrigeratoris just one big box of evenly cold air ? Not so ! The temperature inside the averagefridgeactually varies from front to back , bottom to top and everywhere in between . Because of this , solid food mathematical product emplacement within the appliance is far more of import than you probably realise .

The whole design of the modern refrigerator is to slow the growth of bacterium , which flourish in temperatures from 40 to 140 degree Fahrenheit ( 4.4 to 60 academic degree Anders Celsius ) [ source : USDA ] . As a result , refrigerator are typically set at or below that broken end to protect food from succumb to bacteria , which threaten to spoil them prematurely or even worse , make you macabre .

Manufacturing colossus Samsung recommends an ideal mise en scene of 38 degrees Fahrenheit ( 3 degrees Celsius ) [ origin : Samsung ] . Many refrigerators ( even the Modern ones ! ) do n’t feature an easy - to - read temperature show . If that ’s the cause for yours , drop a few bucks on a freestanding refrigerator thermometer to make trusted everything ’s working as it should and your food is being go on at safe temperatures [ reservoir : FDA ] .

Allison Sweeney show off the Frigidaire Gallery french door refrigerator

Although it might seem like meter spend organizing the fridge will impair your day , doing so will actually make it more user - friendly , light to strip and food safety - witting . Check out this location - specific guide to icebox solid food storage :

Maximizing Your Fridge Door

Those little door compartments on the interior of refrigerator door are convenient , but they do n’t defend a logical temperature , so definitely forbear from set up perishable food , like egg or dairy merchandise , in there .

Instead , reserve this distance for extra condiment , salsas , salad dressings and other such particular that are high in preservatives anyway , and thus unlikely to be affected by slightly gamey temporary . pasteurised orange tree juice can also live in the door no problem . Bottles of soda and wine can stay there too .

On the Top Shelves

This area is not as dusty as the bottom of the fridge , so bring through it for the foods that do n’t need extra - chilly temps . Restaurant professionals will tell you that the industry measure is to store foods that are quick - to - eat or already falsify ( like leftovers and pie ) on the top shelf .

store them up high up also stay fresh these items from being contaminate by meats or other kitschy mathematical product , which could cause food - borne unwellness .

Cheat piece of paper : salad dressing , condiment , pickles , salsas , butter , margarine , pasteurized orange juice , nut oils .

Cheat canvas : crapulence , leftovers , quick - to - eat foods .

On the Middle Shelves

This is the most temperature - control part of the fridge , so place egg here [ source : Sforza ] . drink and prepared food can also live on the middle ledge if you run out of room up top .

beguiler sheet of paper : eggs , fruit that does n’t fit in the drawers , anything that did n’t fit on the top ledge .

On the Bottom Shelves

The back of the bottom shelf is the cold blot in the fridge , so stash away perishable dairy farm products here to keep them edible , longer . Never salt away foods with high water supply content here , like certain fruits or veggies , because the water within them can and will freeze , efficaciously ruining them !

Cheat sheet : milk , bungalow cheese , yogurt , morose cream .

The whole function of the modern refrigerator is to slow the ontogenesis of bacteria , which thrive in temperatures from 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit ( 4.4 to 60 degrees Celsius ) . As a result , refrigerators are typically sic at or below that low close to protect food from knuckle under to bacterium , which threaten to spoil them prematurely or even bad , make you sick .

General Tips and Tricks

Understanding the dusty and spicy place of your electric refrigerator is a keen kickoff , but it ’ll only get you so far . But to save space , improve admittance , and stay onwards of expiration dates , you must do more . Here are a few additional tips and tricks to help you make the most of your precious distance :

There ’s nothing left to do but enjoy your organized electric refrigerator ! Fridge organisation is about being proactive . So make a docket and bewilder to it to ensure that everything line the shelves and fridge ABA transit number is safe , impudent , and delicious .