While keeping your refrigerator full can maximize its efficiency, you shouldn’t store everything in there. However, it isn’t always easy to know which foods should be put into cold storage and which are fine at room temperature. Here are a few cold storage do’s and don’ts to help you make the most of your refrigeration space.

Do:

Keep condiments cold.

Condiments can be tricky as they don’t require refrigerated shipping to be delivered to the stores and are sold at room temperature. However, some need colder temperatures to protect against bacteria growth or maintain their flavor. You should always read the packaging label, but in general, keep open bottles of ketchup, salsa, jams, and jellies in the fridge.

Chill fruits & vegetables.

Sliced fruits are prone to bacteria and should be kept in a cooled area, and corn will maintain its sweet flavor longer when chilled. Additionally, dried fruits can last longer if they are kept in the refrigerator.

Store dairy in the fridge.

Cheese, butter, and milk are best kept in the refrigerator. These items need cold storage because they’re pasteurized before they’re handled by the shipping company. If dairy products are stored at a warm temperature, they become susceptible to bacteria and become unsafe to consume.

Don’t:

Put bread in cold areas.

Some think bread is better protected from mold growth if it’s kept in the refrigerator, but there’s a reason it isn’t stored in a refrigerated warehouse before shipping to the stores. Cooling the loaf dries it out faster and does nothing to prolong its shelf life.

Chill spices.

Herbs and spices are safe to store at room temperature because they aren’t prone to growing bacteria. Putting them into cold storage can dull their natural flavors and make them less effective.

Place canned foods in the fridge.

Even though most meats, vegetables, and fruits require cold storage, if they’re canned, they can be kept at room temperature. That’s because they were heated in a sealed can to kill off any bacteria. The seal is airtight, so canned products are protected for years after they leave the warehouse.

 

If you have a lot of food that needs to be put in cold storage, contact the team at Unicold Corporation in Honolulu, HI. Since 1962, these professionals have provided chilled warehousing to all islands. They also offer refrigerated shipping between Hawaii and Seattle, WA, as well as Los Angeles and Oakland, CA. Call (808) 836-2931 to discuss your cold storage needs with a specialist, or view their services online.