Organizing Food Storage Containers in Your Refrigerator

Whenever you have leftovers, it is important that you store them properly. Leaving them in the pot they were cooked in or the plate they were served in can cause them to deteriorate and become potentially harmful to your body. Food storage containers easily solve this problem. They keep leftovers and raw foods fresh. What often happens, though, is that people go bin-crazy and before they know it, they have a fridge full of disorganized bins!

Before discussing how to organize containers, it should be noted that glass containers are always better when it comes to food storage. Some plastic containers can become stained with food. If food spoils in a plastic container, it has the potential to affect any future food stored in it. There are also theories that the chemicals in the plastic can leach into the food and be digested by the person eating it. So, as much as possible, try to use glass!

Now, when it comes to organizing your food containers, there are a few things to think about:

1. Weight

Generally, the heaviest containers should be placed on the lower shelves. Although it’s a rare occurrence, if the shelves in your fridge give way, you’ll want the lower shelves to hold heavier, sturdier containers. This will help prevent things from breaking.

2. Kind of food

The type of food you will be storing will also be a factor in your organization scheme. For example, sauces should be stored on the lower shelves and further back in the refrigerator. Store them lower because if they do spill, it’s easier to clean up, and in the back because accidents are less likely to happen there.

3. Position in the refrigerator

The area in which you place food in the refrigerator affects its preservation. The shelves inside the refrigerator door, as well as the area closest to the refrigerator door, are not as cold as the back of the refrigerator. These areas are also more prone to moisture. The reason behind these two problems is that every time the door is opened, these are the areas that are most affected by the hot air from outside. So if you have a food that you need to keep cold and dry, try placing it in the back of the fridge.

The best way to keep food containers organized is to keep them on the go. Remember, just because food is in a container doesn’t mean it will stay fresh forever. Try to eat leftovers before cooking something new. You should also try to eat other perishable foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, before anything else. When you eat these things first, you’ll find that there will be less that you need to store in containers and in the fridge, making everything easier to organize.

When you need to freeze food, it is important that you go ahead and try to use glass food storage containers. If this is not possible, make sure the plastic containers you choose are the kind that can be frozen. A good trick you can do is to freeze your food in zip lock plastic bags or Ziplock bags. These can be frozen and preserve food well. Plus, laying the bags flat makes food easier to store in the freezer, and gives you more freezer space too!