Why People Don't Care About Fridge Larder
Tips For Organizing Your Fridge Larder
A fridge's larder can be a great location to store food items that are no longer in use. You can also use a smaller refrigerator and save money on energy costs!
It's a handy space for storing provisions like eggs, bread, and hard cheeses. Fresh herbs also benefit from low moisture.
Keep It In Order
A fridge's larder helps cut down on food waste and makes it easier to find ingredients when cooking. However, as with any space in your home the fridge can become messy and uncontrollable. Here are some ways to keep your refrigerator running smoothly and neatly.
Take inventory
Holly Blakey, an organizer at Breathing room, says that taking inventory is the most crucial step in organizing your fridge. "Take everything out, look up expiration dates, and wash the surfaces." Get rid of expired food items and throw away leftovers and dispose of any food items that aren't intended to be consumed before they go bad.
Blakey suggests putting the most frequently used items in the front of your fridge. Then, tuck away the items that aren't used in the back and bottom of your fridge.
Organize
fridge for sale near meIf you have a freezer in your chest arrange it using clear storage bins to help you easily locate foods. Label each bin clearly and classify items that are similar together. Put condiments in one container and sodas in a different, and cheese sticks in the third. You can also make use of a lazy Susan for condiments and other commonly used items to keep them from being lost in the back.
Store food items that require coldest temperatures in the back of a side by side refrigerator and other items that require warmer temperatures towards the front of. The lower shelf is great for milk, yogurt, cream and butter (it does not melt). The crisper drawers work best for spilled food items.
Drawer dividers make your fridge more functional and are easy to install. They will prevent your fruits and veggies from splattering around. This will stop the food from spoiling. In addition, they'll make sure your drawers remain clean and organized. To extend the time of tender herbs store them in water. (Mason jars that have one inch of water work well.) You can also purchase an herb saver to put in your fridge.
Keep it Visible
Keep your fridge organized to help you choose healthy meals and remain satisfied throughout the day. Make sure that all food containers are transparent so you can see the contents. This will also show you how many days are left until the expiration dates and will prevent you from keeping food that is past its expiration date.
Start your fridge larder off with a deep clean by scrubbing the shelves, drawers and racks using warm water and dish soap. Give your fridge a thorough wipe down to get rid of any gross spills and crumbs that might have accumulated over time.

Restock your fridge after everything is clean and dry. Start with the cheese and deli drawer -- that's where you should keep your cheeses, deli meats, leftovers and dairy items. Then move on to the produce drawer, which should be kept for leafy greens since they tend to wilt quickly. Keep it at least three quarters full to ensure freshness.
You can store bulky items in the pantry drawers of some refrigerators, such as tray sets for parties and large bags of frozen vegetables. It is also a great space to store condiments such mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, as well as nuts and other canned goods. Be careful not to store milk here however, as it may be spoiled quickly due to the fluctuating temperatures within the refrigerator door.
The back of your refrigerator should be reserved for salad dressings, condiments and other jarred food items that will last for a long time. Use a riser for containers to make them easier to read. This will prevent you from having to open and close the lid several times, which will prolong the longevity of your condiments.
Label each bin using a marker, or use stickers that are able to be easily read. This will let your family members easily identify what each container holds, and it'll help you to locate what you're looking for. The addition of bins with labels can also be a great method to organize your kitchen and reduce the amount of waste that you create.
Keep it Cool
A fridge with a good larder can keep food at the proper temperature to prevent spoilage and to slow down the growth of bacterial. Larders can be built into existing cabinets or can stand alone. They are typically placed on the north-facing side of your home to limit sun exposure and could also have additional insulation or an air-conditioning system to keep heat from entering the food storage area. They are also usually built with more solid walls and less windows to keep the interior at a lower temperature than other areas of your home.
A larder must have an area for meat storage and one for vegetables each with a distinct setting that can be programmed to the proper temperature. This ensures that chicken and burgers are cooked well, but that the salad greens won't become overly wilted. You can also set the drawer in the larder to low humidity for vegetables or fruits which release a lot of moisture like cucumbers or tomatoes.
Other drawers inside the fridge can be used to store items such as cheese, fresh cream, hard and freshwrapped in paper, greaseproof or clingfilm to keep it for a longer time. Other items that can be kept in the refrigerator's door include beverages and condiments that are not perishable (like ketchup), water and eggs. Milk shouldn't be stored in the fridge doors however - these shelves tend to be warmer and more unstable than other drawers.
To give your space a more sleek appearance, you can arrange small containers to make them more easily visible. This is helpful for family members who are moving around and need something to eat. Labelling shelves and bins to show what should be eaten first could be beneficial, especially in the case of family members who aren't used to reading labels!
A larder is also the ideal place to store leftovers as well as an assortment of food-safe glass and plastic storage containers, which are perfect for storing smaller portions of ingredients. Having these ready for quick meals is a great way to save money and time when shopping. And if you have a clean and tidy fridge, with a dedicated space for storing these, it will be easier to stay on top of your grocery budget!
Keep It Fresh
The best ways to organize your fridge reduce food waste and help your healthy groceries last longer. Some smart strategies help keep your fresh food at the proper temperature and allow you to see what you have and where it is.
Crisper drawers are included in many refrigerators. They alter the airflow and increase humidity, thus extending the lifespan of fruits and vegetables. It's important to use these drawers correctly. If you mix greens and fruit, for instance, the ethylene produced by the latter may cause the former to wilt and then spoil quickly. It is also crucial to separate the different types of produce and store them in drawers that are appropriate for the type of produce.
Door shelves are typically the warmest part of the fridge. They should be reserved for foods that don't need extra cold or storage conditions that are special, such as jam, chutneys, jars of jam, salad dressings and long-life juices (anything bought in bulk with the same expiration date). The top shelf is perfect for beverages that can be stored upright and without spilling, like water and milk.
It isn't easy keeping refrigerator drawers tidy, with things that are moving and jumbling. But there are some simple ways to assist. Set up a refrigerator with drawer separators. This will help keep your food items separated and prevent them from squishing together. The ability to organize by size is helpful. Store produce of similar heights together. Don't place things that aren't the same height in the same drawer.
A thermometer should be in your fridge. It's a cheap, easy-to use tool that will make sure that your fridge is at an ideal temperature to keep your food fresh and safe.
Don't forget to keep a stash of plastic grocery bags in your fridge for storing food items that don't come in its own container. The moisture in the bag keeps vegetables from turning brown. For herbs that normally wilt within days, an easy method to keep them fresher for longer is to wash them and place them in a glass of water, which is just as effective at retaining moisture as plastic bags.