How to Load & Organize a Residential Refrigerator & Freezer
Have you just returned home from a trip to the grocery store? You may be looking at the bags of produce, snacks and more thinking there’s no way it’ll all fit in the fridge. Parts Town is here to tell you, with some proper organization, you can get it all put away. This guide on how to load and organize residential refrigerator and freezers can help you put everything away in a French door fridge and bottom drawer freezer.
How to Load & Organize a French-Door Refrigerator
Organizing the Doors
The doors of the refrigerator typically run warmer in comparison to the rest of the interior.
- Tip 1. Use the doors for items like butter, condiments, juice, soda and water.
- Tip 2. Don’t use the door shelves for items that require cooler temperatures like milk and eggs.
- Tip 3. Since French door models have a double-door set up, space out items for the best cooling results.
Organizing the Interior Shelves
- Tip 1. Adjust the height of the shelves to accommodate the size of your items.
- Tip 2. Put meat, poultry, fish and other foods that are cooked at high temperatures on the bottom shelves.
- Note: This will help to avoid cross contamination as well.
- Tip 3. Use middle shelves for prepared foods, leftovers and beverages.
- Tip 4. Use the top shelf for eggs, milk and other commonly used items.
Organizing Deli & Crisper Drawers
- Tip 1. Use deli drawers for cheese, lunch meat, bacon, tofu, hot dogs or pre-made appetizers.
- Tip 2. If the deli drawer is used to store mostly cured meats, lower the temperature. For mostly storing pre-made appetizers, raise the temperature.
- Tip 3. Separate fruits into one crisper drawer and vegetables into the other.
- Tip 4. Lower the humidity for thin-skinned produce like apples or grapes and raise it for wilting produce like broccoli or greens.
How to Load & Organize a Bottom Freezer
Most bottom freezer drawers have a bottom compartment and pull-out top drawer.
- Tip 1. Add bins or dividers into the lower compartment to properly space items.
- Note: Overstuffing the drawer can restrict cold airflow and tax the unit’s condenser. Causing it to not run efficiently.
- Tip 2. Reserve each bin a specifically grouped item, like vegetables, proteins or sides.
- Tip 3. To optimize the space, stand up bags and boxes so they’re upright instead of laying flat.
- Tip 4. Use the top pull-out drawer for less frequently used items like frozen treats, juices, baking ingredients or ice packs.