It is the centerpiece of kitchens all over the world.
But it turns out you’ve probably organized your refrigerator incorrectly.
Experts of what? have found the right place for every item in your refrigerator, including raw meat, leftovers and spices.
Plus, they’ve finally settled the debate about where ketchup belongs in your kitchen.
In addition to making your refrigerator look aesthetically pleasing, its layout can help keep you from falling victim to food poisoning.
“Your refrigerator and the way you use it can cause your food to spoil faster than you would like.” Which one? said.
‘In the worst case, it can even lead to you becoming ill.
‘But it’s about much more than just turning the thermostat.’
This is how you should organize your refrigerator, according to the experts.
Experts of what? have found the right place for every item in your refrigerator, including raw meat, leftovers and spices
How to organize your refrigerator
You may be tempted to throw your food in the refrigerator wherever there is room.
However, which one? recommends paying more attention to where you put certain items.
“No matter how accurate your thermostat is, the temperature in your refrigerator will still vary between shelves,” it explains.
“It’s best to think of your thermostat temperature as an average for the refrigerator, because as a general rule, the higher the shelf, the higher the temperature will be.”
Cured meats, leftovers, cream pies or other items that do not require cooking before eating should be kept on the top shelf, according to Which?.
The middle shelf should be used for storing dairy products, including cheese, butter and yogurt, as well as eggs.
While many of us store our milk in the refrigerator door, scientists also recommend storing it on the middle shelf.
While many of us store our milk in the refrigerator door, scientists also recommend storing it on the middle shelf
Dr. Christian Reynolds from City, University of London previously told MailOnline: ‘Milk is a perishable good, so where you store it and the temperature you keep it in the fridge will affect its shelf life.
‘It’s not just about milk either. Think of cheese, meat and all dairy products. If you store it properly, you get more bang for your buck.”
The bottom shelf should be used for raw meat, poultry and seafood.
‘Raw meat, poultry and seafood should be stored in sealed containers so they cannot touch or drip onto other food.’ Which one? said.
Meanwhile, the drawers should be used for fruits and vegetables, but not together.
‘You shouldn’t store fruit in a drawer that doesn’t have a switch or doesn’t contain vegetables’ Which one? explained.
“It likely produces ethylene, a natural gas that can over-ripen other fresh foods if confined in an enclosed space.”
Finally, the door rack – the warmest spot in the refrigerator – should be used for certain spices.
The consumer champion advises keeping bread, cucumbers and tomatoes in the cupboard. Meanwhile, several condiments, including ketchup, do not need to be refrigerated
This includes maple syrup, mayonnaise, pesto, salad cream and tartar sauce.
‘The presence of natural preservatives, such as vinegar, in many spices means they don’t need to be stored in the much cooler parts of the fridge.’ Which one? added.
Surprising dishes that don’t need to be kept in the refrigerator
Which one? highlights some foods that many of us often keep in the refrigerator, but are actually better placed in the kitchen pantry.
“There are some foods that are typically stored in the refrigerator and can therefore quickly lose their flavor and freshness,” it explains.
“Others can become downright unsafe if stored in cold conditions.”
The consumer champion advises keeping bread, cucumbers and tomatoes in the cupboard.
Meanwhile, several condiments, including ketchup, do not need to be stored in the refrigerator.
To keep your food fresh longer, which one? says it’s crucial to keep your fridge between 0°C and 5°C
‘It is not essential to keep ketchup in the refrigerator’, which one? said.
‘Not only does it contain vinegar, but tomatoes are naturally acidic, and this helps the product to be stored at ambient (room temperature) temperatures.’
Other condiments that can be safely stored in the cupboard include brown sauce, mustard, mint sauce, pickles, mango chutney and chili sauce.
What temperature should you keep your refrigerator at?
To keep your food fresh longer, which one? says it’s crucial to keep your fridge between 0°C and 5°C.
If your refrigerator gets too warm, germs can grow on your food.
‘At temperatures above 8°C, most harmful bacteria can grow quickly on your food – this is commonly referred to as the danger zone for microbial growth.’ added.
‘The faster your refrigerator gets into that 0°C to 5°C temperature range, and the longer it can stay there, is the key to maximizing the amount of nutrients in your food.’