Storing food helps it last longer and taste better, and it saves you money.
However, if you don’t store it properly, it can spoil faster, or you can ruin the quality. Let’s look at some common food items that people store wrong a lot.
You might be surprised!
Milk
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It’s convenient to store milk on the fridge door, but that exposes it to warm air every time you open the door, which will make the milk spoil faster. Instead, keep it well back on the main shelves. The back of the top shelf is best if you have the space because it’s by the cooling vents.
Raw Meat
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A lot of people store raw meat on the top shelf because it’s easy to see and not forget about it. But the packages often leak, which causes a mess and may contaminate other foods. Put it on a plate or platter and keep it on the bottom shelf.
Tomatoes
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Storing fruits and vegetables in the fridge makes them keep longer, right? That’s true for a lot of them, but not for tomatoes. The cold changes their texture and taste, and not for the better. It can also delay the ripening time. The counter is the best place to store tomatoes.
Broccoli
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A lot of people keep fresh broccoli in the fridge in the plastic bag they put it in at the store, but that can trap humidity and speed deterioration while also damaging the quality. Unbagged and in the crisper is the way to store broccoli.
Eggs
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Many fridges have an egg rack on a door shelf. This isn’t a good place for the same reasons it isn’t good for milk. They can also get broken more easily. Keeping eggs in their carton and on a main shelf is much better.
Bananas
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It’s common for people to keep bananas on the counter, but they produce a gas that speeds the ripening process, which is why bananas don’t keep too long on the counter. If they’re ripe, put them in the fridge so they’ll stay good longer. The skin may turn brown or black, but the insides will stay fine for about a week longer than they will on the counter.
Bread
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Yes, bread will stay mold-free longer in the fridge, but the cold air also dries it out and hardens it. You should keep it well-sealed on the counter or in a microwave. If you can’t eat all of it before it gets stale or moldy, freeze the rest.
Butter
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For long-term storage, the fridge makes sense for butter. But who likes trying to spread cold, hard butter on something? If you’re going to use it within a few days, keeping a tick of butter in a covered dish on the counter is fine.
Avocados
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These fruits ripen better in warmer temperatures, meaning not in the fridge. Once an avocado has fully ripened, then it’s okay to put it in the fridge.
Onions
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Sunlight and heat are the enemies of onions. You can store them in the fridge, but they’ll still last a pretty long time on a countertop as long as the spot is cool and dry.
Potatoes
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Notice that potatoes in the produce section at the grocery store are rarely refrigerated. In the refrigerator, potatoes can experience an increase in a chemical that actually can be dangerous to humans. Just keep them somewhere cool and dry.
Maple Syrup
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Real maple syrup is a natural product and lacks the preservatives that allow you to store other syrups in a pantry for months at a time. To prevent maple syrup from spoiling, store it in the fridge after you open it.
12 Foods To NEVER Eat After They Expire (Throw Them Away Immediately)
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The “Sell by” date on food packaging tells how long the food can stay on shelves, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s when it expires. On the other hand, the “Best by” or “Use by” date is something to really pay attention to.
Some foods can be fine well past that date, but others don’t, and consuming them can lead to food poisoning, a trip to the hospital, or worse. Following are some foods you should never consume after they expire.
12 Foods To NEVER Eat After They Expire (Throw Them Away Immediately)
10 Beers Americans Can’t Stop Guzzling
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Each generation has its favorites when it comes to everything from apps to restaurants. They have clear preferences for certain beers as well. Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millenials each have favorite beers that are their go-to beverage for a night out.
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