Useful Advice
11
Making the best use of your Fridge Freezer
To ensure that your fridge freezer operates as efficiently as possible :
● Follow food packaging “best before/use by”instructions or your suppliers
advice on a suitable maximum storage time.
● Keep foods tightly covered to retain moisture and prevent flavour/odour
transference. Plastic bags,aluminium foil, plastic stretch wrap and containers
with lids are ideal.
● Select chilled and frozen food last when shopping,transport in a ‘cool bag’
and place in freezer as soon as possible after arriving home.
● Avoid opening the doors unnecessarily or for longer than needed.
● Allow hot or warm food to cool down in covered containers before placing in
the fridge or freezer,as placing hot food inside reduces efficiency.
● Prepare fresh foods for freezing in small quantities to ensure that the food
freezes quickly and so that its quality does not deteriorate.
● Ensure that packets/containers of food are dry before freezing otherwise
they may freeze together.
Storing Food in a Fridge
● Pack and store cooked and fresh food separately.
● Wrap raw or defrosting meat and poultry in polythene or foil and store
below cooked foods and dairy products to avoid contamination of dripping
food juices.
● Wrap cheese in greaseproof paper and place in an airtight container or
polythene bag.
Bring to room temperature before consuming.
● Empty left over canned food into a covered storage containers before
placing in the fridge.
● Position food to allow cold air to circulate freely, ensuring nothing comes
into contact with the back of the fridge compartment, or covers the defrost
gutter drain hole below this.
● Use the different storage zones inside your fridge compartment to store a
wide variety of food items.
STORAGE ZONES
Zone Type Food Storage
A Cool Dairy products, Cheese, butter, margarine,
Low fat spreads, cooking fats / lards
Preserves - Jam, curd, marmalade,
spread, salad dressing or sauces.
B Colder General food storage
C Coldest Meat fish & poultry
Pre-cooked / chilled food
D Salad Bins Vegetables, fruit and salad items
(Not recommended for the storage of
bananas or onions).
USEFUL ADVICE