How to organise your refrigerator for maximum efficiency
Why refrigerator organisation matters: Hacks you didn’t know you needed
A well-organised fridge isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about making your daily routine easy. No one wants to dig through wilting greens and half-used sauces to find a box of leftovers buried at the back. So, whether you’re prepping for the week or storing festival leftovers, the way you organise your fridge can impact how long your food stays fresh, how easily you find things, and even how efficiently your refrigerator runs.
Think refrigerators as a map and its drawers and shelves as specific zones. Each zone has a purpose. Once you figure out how to make the most of these zones, you will find a neat fridge, prevent food wastage, and enjoy better performance. So, are you ready to give your fridge a new start?
- Shelf by shelf: Where everything should go
The top shelf has the most consistent temperature, making it the best place for ready-to-eat items like cooked food, snacks, leftovers, or herbs. The middle shelves are ideal for dairy products, while the bottom shelf, being the coldest, is ideal for raw meat, fish, or anything that needs optimum cooling. Always store these in sealed containers to avoid cross-contamination. Reserve the door shelves for items with natural preservatives like sauces, condiments, and beverages.
When it comes to the drawers, you can store leafy greens and vegetables in the high-humidity drawer, while fruits go in the low-humidity section to prevent them from spoiling soon. Additionally, if you’re using Samsung refrigerators, you’ll find that their Smart Convertible or Twin Cooling features help maintain the ideal conditions for each compartment, so your food stays fresh for a long time.
2. Use clear containers and labels
Labelling is a game-changer. You can use masking tape and a marker to note down dates on leftovers or opened jars. Also, you can rotate older items to the front when you restock, so nothing gets forgotten and pushed to the back.
3. Practice first in, first out (FIFO)
The simple habit of pushing older items to the front and newer items to the back can help with timely consumption and prevent wastage. You can also keep an eye on the expiry date and ensure you use everything before you restock.
4. Avoid overcrowding
To keep items fresh for longer, cool air needs to circulate inside the fridge. To ensure optimal cooling, 20% to 30% of your fridge space should be empty. Remember, less clutter equals better performance.
5. Keep it clean and odour-free
A tidy fridge doesn’t just look better, it works better. Wipe down any spills to prevent bacterial growth and for natural deodorisation, place an open box of baking soda inside.
6. Organise weekly
A weekly five-minute check-in helps you keep things under control. Get rid of expired items, re-arrange your produce and supplies, and customise the shelf heights as needed to accommodate your items.
Your refrigerator is more than a storage appliance – it’s the focal point of your kitchen. By using the fridge space wisely and maintaining it regularly, you’ll save time, reduce waste, and make your food last longer. So, whether it’s a sleek French-door Samsung refrigerator or a compact single-door LG fridge, a little effort to keep it clean and organised can go a long way in ensuring a well-functioning kitchen.
