Our refrigerators are essential for storing and preserving foods and have become so varied in styles, but one thing doesn’t vary; how to properly store food in them. But, are we using them properly? Here is the ins and outs of best refrigerator storage practices.

Avoid placing eggs or dairy in the refrigerator door compartments. I know, we all grew up with the handy egg storage in the door, how could this be? The door of the refrigerator is the warmest part! The door opens, and it can be several minutes (referring to the kids) before it is closed again. Dairy products should be the top shelf. The top of the refrigerator has the most consistent temperature due to the design and placement of the cooling vent in this area, making it the ideal placement for your dairy products.

The coldest area of the refrigerator is the bottom and this is the best place for storing raw meats and fish. It is also best to only store this raw meat for one to two days in the refrigerator. If it will not be used in that time, move it to the freezer.

The refrigerator does dry foods out, so keep this in mind when placing fresh herbs in for storage. Vegetables tend to do best with high humidity, so place the crisper drawer accordingly. Fruits prefer lower humidity and should not be stored with your vegetables.

Don’t forget the thermometer. Refrigerator temperatures should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Refrigerator temperatures can vary some depending on the area of the in the unit even when kept at the optimal temperature due to distance of the area from the cooling element and also how full the refrigerator itself is. We refrigerate our food to slow the bacterial growth and keep our food safe according to the USDA.

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