The fridge is where you conserve the delicate food, so keeping it clean should be a priority.

The fridge has always been the star of the kitchen because it is where we keep our food safe and fresh, but sometimes cleaning and organizing it seems like a tough task. The fridge should always be clean and everything needs to be in the right spot, that way is easier to find the correct ingredient for meals.

Professional kitchens arrange their fridge prioritizing food safety; this method is based on the temperature the food needs to be cooked to, so those that can be eaten raw or cold are at the top of the fridge. From this starting point, the rest is organized in ascending order, meaning that the food that will need the highest temperature will be at the bottom. This method guarantees there will be food no cross-contamination. By organizing your home fridge this way, your kitchen routine will be easier than ever!

Organizing the fridge

Upper shelves: leftovers are the principal food to be found here. You can also put food that is ready to eat as is, like yogurt, milk, cheese, and deli meats.

Lower shelves: you can put raw ingredients here, that way you will not lose time while cooking your meals.

Door: this is the warmest part of the fridge. For that reason, only condiments should be placed there. Never put milk or juice here, as they should be in the cooler parts of the fridge. Remember to check for empty bottles or containers while cleaning the fridge for they take unnecessary space in it.

Drawers: they usually are at the bottom of the fridge and are designed to keep products at specific humidity levels. So, it is normal to storage fruits and vegetables there. However, if you are using the shelves above the drawers for raw meat, fruits and veggies can be contaminated by it. The solution: if you have two drawers, use one for fruits and veggies, and the other one for raw meat. Clean them every week. If there is only one drawer, try to find a plastic container for the raw meat, so you can still keep it separate from the fruit and veggies.

Tips

Cleaning: try cleaning your fridge at least once a month. Remember that food not stored appropriately can be contaminated and become fatal in some cases.

Maintenance: hire a technician once a year to check the fridge and make sure that everything is working fine.

Use: try to no open the fridge every time you come to the kitchen so that the food inside will not be submitted to the constant temperatures changes.

Food: storage food with strong smells in plastic containers or you will have a smelly fridge that will need deep cleaning regularly. Never put food that is still warm or hot inside the fridge since it can alter its temperature and damage the regulator.

Remember that domestic and kitchen appliances need maintenance and checkups for a longer useful life. Come to Davide Punto Cucina to taste the best dishes in San Juan by our amazing cooks.