Improper Food Storage: Waste and Increased Energy Consumption

Improper storage of food in the refrigerator leads to a significant waste of food, as well as increased energy consumption and higher electricity bills. There are several steps that can be taken to avoid food waste and save money. One of these steps is simple and involves knowing your refrigerator. The conditions of different areas inside your fridge vary slightly, making them suitable for different types of food. For example, the lower shelves tend to be the most humid areas, which makes them ideal for fruits and vegetables. The bottom shelf is also the coldest part of the fridge because warm air rises, which means that the middle shelves are generally more suitable for dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, as well as cooked meats and snacks. Each shelf is cooler towards the back, so anything that needs to stay cooler should be placed there. Conversely, the door is the area where the temperature rises and fluctuates the most due to exposure to room temperature each time the fridge is opened; this area is ideal for water bottles, spices, and pickled items but should be avoided for anything with a shorter shelf life. Storing food in the wrong location in the refrigerator results in wasted electrical energy and exposes food to the risk of spoiling more quickly than intended. Therefore, it is essential to know the proper location for each type of food in the fridge and to avoid overcrowding to allow air circulation for cooling.