Two foods you should never keep in the same refrigerator drawer because they spoil quickly
Do you regularly throw away food that has spoiled while in the refrigerator?
You can extend the shelf life of your groceries with a few storage tips.
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Which one? reported on the best tricks to make food last longer.
The experts’ first suggestion was to make sure the refrigerator is cold enough.
They advised people to keep the temperature in their refrigerator between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius.
According to the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, food is safest to eat when it has been cooled to below eight degrees Celsius or heated to a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius or higher.
When setting the temperature of your freezer, choose a temperature between -18 and -20 degrees Celsius.
To keep your leafy greens fresh and crisp, set the refrigerator to three degrees Celsius.
You can store these in a vegetable drawer, but it is important to select the correct shelves for each food group.
Because butter, cheese and spices spoil less quickly, they should be stored on the top shelf, as this is the warmest place in the refrigerator.
The middle shelf is intended for leftovers, cooked meat and ready-made meals.
To prevent cross-contamination, raw meat, raw fish and raw seafood should be stored on the bottom shelf, where it is coldest.
Although they may appear on the same shelf in the food pyramid, in real life you should never store fruits and vegetables together.
Fruits likely produce ethylene, a natural gas that can over-ripen other fresh foods when kept in closed spaces.
This is not a general rule and can also be the other way around for certain vegetables. In that case, it is better to store them separately.
In addition, fruits are better preserved at low humidity, while vegetables prefer high humidity.
Food experts also advise against placing a refrigerator freezer in the garage, as they are not designed to operate at low temperatures.
How to Save Money on Groceries
Experts in saving money at HSBC UK have revealed their top tips for saving money on your groceries.
1. Set a budget
Creating a budget will help you stretch your budget. Start by calculating how much you spent on food over the past three months, and then set aside a certain amount for food each month you get paid.
2. Plan your meals
Make a list of your main meals for the coming week, including the ingredients you need, and stick to it. Don’t be tempted by deals on things you don’t need. If you have some leftover food from the week before, try to see what you can do with it first.
3. Think about when and where you shop
It is best to shop on a full stomach so that you are not tempted. Shopping less often can help you think about what you are buying and can help you stay within your budget.
4. Go online
Online shopping is a great and easy way to manage your budget. It can also help you keep track of your spending while also preventing impulse purchases.
You should also avoid stacking food in the refrigerator so that it spills onto the shelf above. This can impede the circulation of cool air.
If possible, store food in its original packaging and allow leftovers to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
Also, make sure not to leave the refrigerator door open for too long, as the space can quickly fill up with hot air.
Although they use more energy, the super cool and super freeze settings on your refrigerator and freezer can help you preserve food that is on the edge of the danger zone.
Modern refrigerators are equipped with smart features that ensure that you do not bring too many perishable products into your home.
You can also minimize food waste by planning meals and being creative with leftovers.
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