Never Store These Foods In The Fridge Door—Here’s Where To Keep Them Instead
The refrigerator door is actually the warmest part of your appliance. This is because it's frequently exposed to room temperature air when opened. While it seems convenient for grabbing items quickly, the constant temperature swings can cause certain foods to spoil faster than they should.
Organizing your fridge correctly helps reduce food waste and keeps your family safe. Here's a quick guide to help you store sensitive items properly.
Soft cheeses
Hard cheeses like cheddar are durable, but soft varieties like brie or feta are very sensitive. These cheeses can grow mold quickly if they aren't kept consistently cold.
Instead of the door, use the deli drawer or a main shelf. This will prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Raw meat
You should never store raw meat or poultry in the door, because it's simply not cold enough to stop bacterial growth. Additionally, juices could leak out and contaminate other foods when the door swings open and closed.
Always place raw meat on the bottom shelf in a sealed container or on a tray. This is the safest and coldest area for high-risk foods.
Milk
Many people put milk in the door for easy access, but this is a mistake. Milk requires a consistent, cold environment to stay fresh until its expiration date.
The back of the middle or bottom shelf is the coldest spot in most units. Moving your milk there will prevent it from souring prematurely.
Produce
Fruits and vegetables are less susceptible to temperature changes than some of the other items on this list, but they do require consistent humidity levels in order to last longer.
The crisper drawer is the best place for produce, and some fridges even allow you to customize the humidity levels as needed.
Yogurt
Stacking yogurt cups in the fridge door may look aesthetically pleasing, but this isn't the safest spot for them.
Instead, store yogurt and other dairy products on the bottom or middle shelf near the back, where the air is coldest.
Eggs
Egg containers often fit perfectly in door shelves, but the movement of opening the fridge can cause tiny cracks in the shells. More importantly, the temperature fluctuations in the door can compromise egg safety.
It's much better to keep eggs in their original carton on a middle shelf. This protects them from physical damage and keeps them at a steady temperature.
The bottom line
Proper food storage is a simple way to practice kitchen safety and show care for the ingredients you buy.
By moving these six items away from the door, you'll ensure that your foods stay fresh and delicious for longer.