How do you store food in a refrigerator?

First of all, let's go over a few best practices for taking care of your fridge. In general, your refrigerator should be kept at or below 40 degrees F (if your fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser, you might set the temperature through that control panel). However, keep in mind that different areas of your fridge will circulate more warm air based on position and how close they are to the cooling element (for example, the door will be warmer than further inside the fridge). And while you might want to make the most out of every single grocery run, avoid cramming your fridge and its door to the gills; the cold air needs to circulate throughout the refrigerator for maximum freshness. In order to make the most out of your brand new refrigerator, make sure that you're storing your food in the correct compartments. Many consumers don't realize that refrigerators have designated storage areas with specific warmer or cooler temperature zones that are engineered to keep your food fresh while preventing odors, decay, and mold. When you're putting your groceries away, take a few extra minutes to make sure you're putting your food in the appropriate storage zones.

What foods should you not refrigerate?

Some foods should never be placed in your refrigerator, even if it seems odd to you. Tomatoes, for example, get smelly and rotten when refrigerated. Onions, squash, and potatoes need to be kept at low moisture and cool temperatures, like dark cabinets or cupboards. Many fruits can be left on the counter while they ripen, but once that avocado hits the perfect ripeness, you can stick it in the crisper drawer or top shelf to slow the ripening process. Then, there are the "sometimes" foods, that you may or may not choose to refrigerate based on personal preference. These foods include nuts, nut butters, or nut flours, among other items. They can be refrigerated if your house is warm or you want them to keep for a long period of time, but if you consume them pretty quickly, it's not totally necessary. For nut butters specifically, refrigeration can keep the natural oil from separating, if that's something you prefer.

Refrigerators