HOW TO STORE AND ORGANIZE FOOD IN FRIDGES CORRECTLY SO IT LASTS LONGER

• Set the temperature in your refrigerator below 4°C (40°F);
• All foods should be wrapped, covered or in containers;
• Don't overload your fridge;
• Quickly put food in fridge. Don't leave them in room temperature more than 2 hours;
• Clean your fridge regularly, about 1 time/weel;
• Throw away moldy food or discard it in a bag.
• In the top and middle shelf (refrigerator compartment): this is for foods that can be consume immediately like dairy products, ready meals, canned foods, leftovers, cooked meats and salads.
• In the bottom shelf (Freezer compartment): you should store raw meat and fish in containers, which prevent them from touching onto other foods.
• Vegetable drawer: this is where to store washed fruit and vegetables.

AEG refrigerators — whether fridge freezers, upright fridges, or upright freezers  — are equipped with the latest cooling innovations to make food storage effortless. Adopt a sustainable lifestyle by simply using this appliance and knowing how to properly store food in the fridge.

How to store raw and cooked meat in the fridge 

1. How long can I store meat in the fridge?

While meats can be frozen for months, it’s best to consume them immediately to savour them at their best, lest they get freezer burn. Freezer burn happens when frost buildup sucks up too much moisture from food, leaving it discoloured, shrivelled and bland tasting. 

AEG refrigerators with No Frost technology help to slow this down and prevent frost-damaged meats. Regardless, it’s better not to test the limits of their expiry dates.

2. What containers to use for meats?

Store cooked meats in plastic wraps or containers with tight-fitting lids. For raw meats, keep them in their store wrapping since replacing it increases the risk of contaminating your kitchen. Double the seal by putting them in reusable silicone pouches or airtight plastic containers.

This further protects your meats from moisture and keeps them fresher. It also prevents cross-contamination, spills, and odours. Keep smells at bay in AEG refrigerators with CleanAir technology, which uses a carbon filter to absorb odours and reduce smell transfer between food.

Read more Tips for energy saving in fridge here to use it more effectively.

3. At what temperature should I store meat in?

The fridge temperature should be less than 5°C, while the freezer should be below -15°C — enough to inactivate bacteria, mould, and yeasts. To precisely track and adjust temperatures, AEG refrigerators have intuitive electronic touch controls that allow you to easily ensure food safety.

Temperature is also affected when you frequently open the refrigerator.  AEG refrigerators with Cooling 360° distribute cold air evenly to stabilise temperature and humidity, protecting the food quality for longer.

Discover more about AEG cooling technology to know how we keep your food last longer and fresher.

4. Can I refreeze meat? 

Refreezing meat isn’t recommended as it affects food safety and quality. Meat won’t be as fresh because of excessive moisture loss when freezing it twice. Likewise, it can potentially cause food poisoning as meat is reintroduced to bacteria twice in the re-thawing process.

Avoid refreezing raw meat by only buying what you can finish in a week or two. Portion out just enough for one meal, or if possible, cook all the thawed meat and just freeze the cooked leftovers. These have a better chance of surviving.

5. Where should raw meat be stored in the fridge?

It’s best to have a refrigerator that has a freezer compartment at the bottom or on the side, or to have an upright freezer. This ensures complete separation of raw and cooked meats to prevent contamination and reduces the risk of meat juices dripping over your food. 

How to store fruits and vegetables in the fridge

1. What fruits and vegetables should not be stored with each other?

Fruits with high-ethylene gas content, like apples and pears, should not be stored with other produce like leafy greens. Ethylene gas is naturally emitted by some fruits, which causes other produce to ripen or spoil faster.

2. What temperature should fruits and vegetables be kept in?

As a rule of thumb, room temperature hastens ripening and spoilage, while high humidity in a refrigerator slows these down. AEG refrigerators, both fridge freezers and upright fridge, have a crisper drawer that maintains a high humidity level, so your fruits and vegetables are kept fresh for longer.

3. What container should I use for fruits and vegetables?

Produce stored at room temperature thrive best with more air circulation, so placing them in an open bowl will do. In contrast, refrigerated ones should be placed in sealed bags to prevent them from wilting and to protect them from ethylene gas.

Here’s a quick guide:

How to keep bread fresh  

Freezing bread is one of the best ways to keep it fresh because it slows down the staling process and reduces the risk of mould for up to two to three months.

Simply put your bread in an airtight freezer bag. Reheat in your oven or toaster to revive its springiness and chewiness, no defrosting needed if you’re in a hurry.

If you can’t finish the whole loaf, cut it into slices before freezing and put wax paper in between for easy preparation of sandwiches or toasts. Don’t refreeze bread.

Should you keep bread in the fridge?

Putting bread in the fridge is not recommended. In cool temperatures, starch molecules recrystallise quickly, which makes your bread stale and dry at a faster rate than if it is stored at room temperature. While it will still be safe to eat, it’s not worth settling for a stale flavour.

How to store breast milk in the fridge 

Step 1: Start clean

Wash your hands thoroughly and ensure all components of your electric pump are sanitised. Label the milk bags by date and time of pumping for easy tracking. Remember: First in, first out.

Step 2: Store breast milk in small batches

Since milk expands when frozen, don’t fill the bags to the brim — not more than three-quarters full or 60ml. This also makes thawing easier and minimises waste if your baby can’t finish all of it. Do not refreeze breast milk.

Step 3: Chill or freeze breast milk

Place the bags in the back of your fridge or freezer because these are the coldest parts of your refrigerator. Also, keep them away from raw meats to avoid contamination.

How long you can store breast milk in the fridge depends on where you put it:

Step 4: Warm or defrost breast milk

To warm milk from the fridge, place the bag in a bowl of warm water or run it under warm water. To defrost frozen milk, you can do the above methods or gently thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Any leftovers can only be refrigerated for 24 hours, or kept at room temperature for two hours. Never microwave it or use boiling water to reheat because it can scald your baby and affect the nutritional content of the milk.

Small, yet revolutionary changes

According to UN Environment Programme statistics, roughly one-third or 1.3 billion tons of food produced in the world goes to waste bins every year, while World Food Programme reported that millions of people still starve. Often, the solution to a big problem lies in the small changes.

It can be as simple as learning how to properly store food in the fridge, creating irresistible dishes for clean plates, or using an AEG refrigerator that allows you to easily keep ingredients fresh for longer. You will be helping the world in more ways than you think.