You must maintain perishable foods at a certain temperature to avoid spoiling. Such foods include fruits and vegetables, dairy products, including milk, cheese, and eggs, as well as meats and poultry. Storing your food well helps extend its longevity and prevent foodborne illnesses. Perishable foods are kept in refrigerators to maintain a low temperature to prevent spoiling.
Best Ways to Store Your Perishable Products
Discussed below are some of the best ways to store food that’s perishable.
1. Refrigerator Storage
Refrigerator storage is most commonly used when you have a large amount of food. Refrigerator storage helps to store perishable items that require slow turnover rates. Refrigerators are designed to maintain the temperature inside at 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, no matter how cold or warm it may be outside. Foods like meats, poultry, fish, and dairy products with a long shelf life find their way into refrigerators.
2. Freezer Storage
Freezer storage is excellent for use in food preservation for long periods. It helps to store foods that would not last long in a refrigerator. There are two methods to keep your food fresh and preserved: freezer storage and supercooling. Frozen foods have a very slow turnover rate, and must be stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The other method is called supercooling the food. By supercooling, you remove the freezing element from the foods so that they freeze more rapidly and keep a lower temperature longer. This reduces the chances of spoilage.
3. Cold Storage
Cold storage is best for food that does not have long life spans, such as dairy products and eggs. Cold storage products are kept in unheated spaces on shelves to limit their exposure to heat and moisture. When storing perishable foods, purchasing a product that will allow you to store your food at 35 degrees Fahrenheit or below or in unheated spaces is a good idea. For your food to effectively withstand long-term storage, the space must be kept cool, dry, and dark.
4. Canned Goods Storage
The best place for canned goods is in the dark. A cool, dry, and dark place is perfect for your canned goods. If you’re storing many canned goods, consider investing in extra shelving and hooks for your cabinets. You might also consider investing in a can holder that keeps cans from falling over or getting damaged by other objects on your counter.
Food Storage Tips
There are numerous food storage tips that you can use to keep your food fresh and safe. Here are some tips that we’ve compiled.
1. Use Plastic Freezer Bags, Not Glass
Freezer bags are a much better way to store items in the freezer, as opposed to storing them in glass containers. Slow freezing and shifting temperatures can cause the glass to crack under extreme conditions. If you choose to use glass in your freezer, make sure it is tempered glass or thicker.
2. Use an Ice Cube Tray for Chopped Veggies
Instead of chopping vegetables and storing them in plastic bags, eventually turning them into mush, try using an ice cube tray for chopping vegetables. Place chopped vegetables in the ice cube tray and cover with water. Then place the tray in the freezer overnight. Pull out the tray and place it in a bowl of cool water when you want to use a portion of the veggies or all of it. Try tossing them into your favorite soup recipe.
3. Clean Fresh Produce Before Storage
Clean your fresh produce before storing it. If you’re planning to store fresh fruit in the fridge without any other foods, ensure the product is completely clean and dry. Then place it in an airtight container. The best food storage containers are glass or plastic containers that can be sealed with a lid. Airtight plastic containers are great for storing perishable foods.
4. Store Poultry, Fish, or Raw Meat Correctly
You must follow some basic rules to store poultry, fish, and raw meat properly. First of all, you need to make sure that the meat is cooked thoroughly before it’s stored. It would help if you also stored it in an airtight container to prevent contamination.
Storing raw meat in the refrigerator or freezer is the best way to keep it. The temperature must be below zero degrees Fahrenheit to remain fresh. You should freeze raw meat immediately after purchasing it so that it doesn’t spoil.
5. Keep the Foods Separate
If you’re storing your perishable food in the fridge, you might be inclined to mix it all. While it may seem like a good way to save space, keep different foods separate. For example, keep fruit and vegetables separate from meat and fish. You should also separate cooked food from raw food to avoid cross contamination.
6. Set the Fridge Temperatures Correctly
When setting the temperature in your refrigerator, you must ensure that it’s set at a reasonable temperature. It should be between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, if you leave a bowl of water in the fridge overnight and it freezes, your fridge is too low. If the water isn’t cooling, then your fridge is too high.
Final Thoughts
While there are many ways to store your food, we’ve provided you with some of the best options. These products will ensure you have a long-lasting supply of everything you need. You may consider checking our refrigerators for more information about them. You can also check the refrigerator reviews for other people’s experiences with specific models. Remember that it’s best to store food in an airtight container or sturdy bag to ensure that it stays fresh and tasty.