Every household has a stock of food staples that are often purchased at the beginning of the month while the perishable food such as the vegetables, dairy products, fruits and meat are purchased in a limited quantity that can be used up within a few days. These products have limited but increased longevity when stored in the refrigerator.
The role of a refrigerator is something that a lot of people ignore and take it for granted. Yet if the refrigerator is not maintained well, the consumers often end up witnessing food damage due to bad or dysfunctional parts in the fridge. Here are some factors that determine why there is a difference in food quality when stored in the fridge.
The Time It Has Been in the Market
People are often known to keep a tab on the days that the food has been in the fridge and can decide its condition accordingly. What they forget is that perishable food comes to the store first and then they get to buy it. Whenever you buy products such as bread, dairy, or processed meat, it’s important to check on the date of manufacturing and accordingly purchase. If it has been in the store too long, it won’t stay fresh once you get it home.
The Type of Food That You Intend to Store
When you store food, you will notice that meat generally stays fresh longer than dairy products. The latter lasts for as much as five days before becoming unfit for use. To extend its shelf life, you could try storing it in airtight containers and at the back of the shelves where it is a bit colder. If food goes bad in just a day or two, it may also be due to dysfunctional parts of the refrigerator that may need attention.
The Age of the Fridge
There are times when an ill-maintained refrigerator won’t provide enough cooling and protection to the foods that are stored. In such a case, you may witness frequent damage to the food that you store no matter what its best before date. Such problems aren’t with the food but the appliance as a whole which may be damaged or dysfunctional.
The Way You Store Your Food
Storing warm food in the refrigerator will lead to the appliance consuming more energy to maintain its temperature, so it’s always good advice to store food only once it has cooled. This will also help to increase the longevity of the fridge. Keeping foods covered also helps food stay fresh longer.
By Mathew Rogers
