In the current cost of living crisis, every penny counts. Fridge storage is not just about aesthetics; if food is stored correctly, food can last longer and taste better. Plus, a well-organised fridge will also improve its efficiency to ultimately help reduce every day running costs and household bills.
But research from AEG has shown that only 67% of Brits know where to store their food items inside the fridge. When it comes to age, 71% of those aged 45+ confidently know where to properly place food in their fridge to make it last longer, versus just 57% of those aged 16-24.
Professional head chef Anna Williams has shared guidance on where to store food items as well as how the fridge should be organised for maximum efficiency to minimise costs.
Anna says, this is how your fridge should be organised:
- Top Shelves: The very top shelf should store any bottles of fizzy drinks or alcohol mixers with the next highest shelf storing ready to eat foods such as fruits.
- Middles Shelves: These are the container shelves for items such as leftovers, sandwich fillings, condiments, and premixed vinaigrettes as well any other packaged items including eggs.
- Bottom Shelves: Raw meats and poultry should be stored at the bottom of the fridge, as well as any dairy products such as yogurts.
- Bottom Drawers: They are known as salad boxes for this very reason. Any vegetables or herbs should be kept in these drawers within their packaging or decanted into containers.
- Fridge Door: Bottles of milk and water should be stored at the bottom of the fridge door with condiments, butter and food sachets occupying the higher door shelves.
What temperature a fridge should be
Less than half (48%) of 16–24-year-olds know what temperature a fridge should be kept at vs 67% of those aged 45 and over.
Experts at AEG advise “The average household fridge should be at a near constant temperature between 0°C and 5°C.
“It’s natural for your fridge temperature to fluctuate a little between these values particularly when being opened and closed a lot. Another contentious reason for your fridge temperature to increase, is if you are to add any warm leftovers inside.”
Head chef debunks how to store popular foods
According to Anna this is where the following food items should be correctly stored.
Mayonnaise and Ketchup
Anna says: “Mayonnaise can be stored in the cupboard or pantry, but it must be kept away from a 'warm' cupboard, near the oven or hob. Once opened, keep in the fridge with the lid tightly screwed on to stop any mould growing.”
This approach should also be adopted for ketchup as Anna explains; “Like mayonnaise, you can store this one in the cupboard and stockpile it too, so you never run out as that is an awful day when your bacon butty is missing ketchup!
“Once opened store in the fridge with the lid tightly screwed on to prevent any crusty bits forming, also remember to shake before use as no one wants the tomato water wetting the plate first.”
Chocolate
Chocolate manufactures have made it clear that chocolate should not be stored inside the fridge but instead in a cool, dry, dark place such as a cupboard or pantry.
Anna explains; “I store mine in a cupboard at home with a cool ambient temperature. But many people don’t know that storing chocolate in the fridge can increase chocolate shelf life by 25% and freezing can prolong it by 50%.”
“One thing to make sure is that you don't fluctuate chocolate between warm and cool temperatures as that is where blooming can start - those strange looking white bits.”
Eggs
Another heavily contested item are eggs. Anna said: “Eggs are best kept on a middle fridge shelf close to back in the cardboard they come in. This location in the fridge is best to keep the eggs at a constant temperature and the cardboard boxes provide the perfect level of protection, plus it will have the expiry date on.
“Keep any cracked eggs away from others in a bowl as bacteria can form on the porous eggshells and can easily contaminate the other eggs.”
Bread
Bread is one of the most commonly binned food items in the home, Anna said: “Don’t store bread in the fridge! Make sure to always keep bread in an airtight container/bag to try and maintain as much moisture as possible. Often the bag the bread comes in is the best option, just make sure it is tied tightly.
“Little trick if your bread goes stale - add a little water before toasting or baking which will help to add moisture back into the bread.”
Bananas
Another commonly binned food item, regarding bananas Anna said: “This is up for debate. The best way to store them is outside the fridge until they reach your preferred ripeness and then they can be placed into the fridge to extend their shelf life.
“Beware, bananas ripen at room temperature so by refrigerating them their skin will darken and go brown very quickly, although the flesh inside will remain the same.”
Potatoes
Anna said: “You should never store raw potatoes inside the fridge. Although it might be temping to reduce the rate of which they sprout, the cold temperatures in a fridge actually turn the starch to sugar in the potato.
“Potatoes are best stored in a cool, dry, and dark place such as a cupboard away from the oven, and rather than a sealed container they are best stored in an open cardboard box or paper bag.”
Avocados
Anna said: “For un-ripened, whole avocados, it’s best to store them outside a fridge and outside of an airtight box – room temperature helps them ripen.
“But for whole, ripe avocados fridge storage is best, as this will slow down the ripening process and therefore help them keep for longer.
“For mashed/prepared avocados it’s best to store them in a fridge in an airtight container, but with the top cling film wrapped instead of the container lid.”
For more information on the great British fridge debate, see the campaign page here: https://www.aeg.co.uk/local/from-aeg/great-british-fridge-debate/
