How to Store Food in Your Fridge Correctly to Make It Last Longer

Most Australians are losing money every week by storing food incorrectly in their fridge. Fruit goes soft, vegetables wilt, leftovers smell and meat spoils before it should. Here is exactly how to use every part of your fridge to keep food fresh for as long as possible.

Understanding Your Fridge's Temperature Zones

Your fridge is not one uniform temperature. Different areas have different temperatures, and knowing which foods belong where makes a significant difference to freshness.

• Top shelf: Warmest area of the fridge. Best for leftovers, drinks, deli meats and foods that don't need intense cold.
• Middle shelves: Most consistent temperature. Best for dairy (milk, cheese, yoghurt), eggs and cooked foods.
• Bottom shelf: Coldest area, closest to the cooling unit. Best for raw meat, fish and poultry. Keep these on a tray to prevent drips contaminating other food.
• Crisper drawers: High humidity drawers for vegetables and low humidity for fruits. Many modern fridges have adjustable humidity settings on the drawers.
• Door shelves: Warmest zone of all due to door opening and closing. Store condiments, sauces, juices and butter here — not milk or eggs, despite what many people do.

Fruit vs Vegetables: What Goes Where

Many fruits produce ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening and spoilage of nearby vegetables. Store fruit and vegetables in separate drawers wherever possible.

Some fruits and vegetables do not belong in the fridge at all:

• Keep at room temperature: Tomatoes (lose flavour in the fridge), bananas, avocados (until ripe), onions, potatoes, garlic, bread.
• Refrigerate once ripe: Avocados, stone fruits, pears.

Raw Meat Storage Rules

• Always store raw meat on the bottom shelf to prevent drips onto other food.
• Keep in its original packaging or in a sealed container.
• Use within two to three days or freeze.
• Never store raw meat near cooked food or ready-to-eat items.

Leftover Storage

• Cool cooked food before placing in the fridge. Food that is too hot raises the fridge temperature and forces the compressor to work harder.
• Store leftovers in airtight containers to prevent odours transferring to other foods.
• Label leftovers with the date.
• Consume within two to three days.

Fridge Temperature Settings

Your fridge should be set to between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius. The freezer should be at minus 15 to minus 18 degrees. Use an inexpensive fridge thermometer to check — many fridge dials are inaccurate.

How to Reduce Food Waste

• Rotate stock — put new items at the back and older items at the front.
• Do not overfill the fridge. Air needs to circulate to maintain even temperature.
• Keep the fridge at least half full but not packed. A full fridge retains cold better than an empty one.

Find Your Perfect Fridge at Oceania Appliances

If your fridge is struggling to maintain even temperatures, is making unusual noises or is simply too small for your household, it might be time for an upgrade. Oceania Appliances stocks a wide range of fridges in all sizes and styles, with free delivery across Sydney. Visit our showroom or browse online.