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Knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe would reduce a heap of trouble and would reduce the risk of food borne illness .Organizing your storage areas would give you better access to the stored food .One can eliminate some stress and worry by planning beforehand.
Do store the food properly according to its conditions to attain maximum potential .Some can be stored at room temperature and some must be refrigerated .Generally freezing would extend the life of many products.
When storing items in the door, place the heaviest items closest to the hinge side thus reducing stress on the door and inner door panel. To increase cooling efficiency and reduce power consumption on a manual-defrost fridge, defrost it often.
If the refrigerator doesn't seem show any cooling effect in spite of proper electric supply make sure than the outlet it is plugged into is still alive. Always keep meat, poultry, fish, and eggs refrigerated at or below 40 ºF and frozen food at or below 0 ºF. To maintain the cold temperature keep the doors closed as much as possible. It's advisable to store meat and sea food on bottom shelf to prevent contamination. Obtain dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator cold if you that the power is going to be out for a certain period of time. Coolers would be of great help for keeping the food cold for at least four hours. When the freezer is not full do keep the items close together to keep the food cold. Do keep appliance thermometers in the refrigerators at all times to identify the temperature. Keep like items together for easy access. For example have vegetables in the vegetable crispers and meat in the meat drawers. Store leftovers in clear containers so that you don't have to search the items. Keep these items as organized as possible. Remove the spoiled food .If the packages do not have an expiry date than make sure to date them as to when it was purchased or opened. In the freezer keep the big items at the bottom and the small items at the top. Since refrigerator freezers are generally small it can easily become disorganized. The packages should be neatly marked .Use freezer baskets for the smaller items. Always see to it that the temperature of the refrigerator is below 40°F. Put leftovers in clean, shallow containers for rapid cooling. Check that the refrigerator is always clean and free of spills. Use baking soda to prevent odors. All perishable food and leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of purchase and preparation. To prevent loss of moisture and flavor always cover food.
- Fruits: Freeze fruits such as bananas, grapes and orange slices to make them more fun to eat for children. Next time they want a sweet snack offer them frozen fruit rather than ice cream. Fruits like apples, melons and berries can be stored up to eight to twelve months.
- Vegetables: Freeze vegetables in moisture and vapor-proof material. Its advisable not to wash the vegetables before refrigerator storage .Most of the vegetables can be stored up to eight to twelve months.
- Bread: Freezing bread keeps it fresh for up to 3 months. Slice and rewrap whole loaves first since store packaging is loose and will let in air and odors.
- Poultry and fish: These items can be stored for around two to three days.
- Chicken: Chicken when cooked can last for up to three days.
- Ice cream: Ice creams can be kept in refrigeration from one to four weeks .The more often you open and close the container, the more ice crystals form on top .This should be avoided.
- Batteries: Batteries last longer in a refrigerator than they would in a drawer since heat drains out the battery power .Its advisable to thaw the batteries two hours before using.
- Ice cubes: Ice cubes if left uncovered in a tray or vessel can absorb food odors .Its not the same in a freezer bag.
- Coffee: It's advisable to keep coffee in an airtight container than a bag .It preserves the fresh strong taste of the whole bean and ground coffee. Keep whole beans no more than six months in the fridge.
- Egg: Eggs can be stored between two to five weeks .If salt or sugar is added it improves the quality.
- Milk: Milk in its full form can be stored up to five days.
- Baby food: Always store baby food covered .It can be stored up to three days .Reheat enough for just one feeding.
Once in a month pull everything out and separate the most wanted from the rest .Make sure you have more low-fat, high- fiber and low sugar foods than the other types .Store away desserts and other indulgent food in the crispers. Keep an indulgent topping or accompaniment next to a healthy food to make it more appetizing.
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