Before you even think about storing food, ensure that your AEG fridge and AEG freezer are at the correct operational temperature.
A refrigerator should always be kept at a maximum of 4 °C with the freezer staying at -17 °C or below.
Now that the basics have been covered, you can begin to store your foods.
Produce Despite popular belief, not all produce keeps better in the refrigerator.
Items like citrus fruits, tomatoes, eggplants, and avocados should always be stored at room temperature.
Potatoes should also remain out of the fridge and instead be placed in a bag in a dark, cool space.
Greens should be cleaned and then stored in plastic bags within the crisper.
Make sure that greens are not placed near your fruits as this can cause the fruits to spoil.
Cheese and Eggs Although some refrigerators come with a place for eggs in the door, eggs should always be kept in the carton on a shelf and never on the door.
The soft cheeses including Brie and ricotta can remain in the refrigerator for up to a week but should never be frozen.
Hard cheeses such as Swiss and cheddar can remain in the fridge for as long as 6 months as long as they have not been opened.
Once opened, they should be used within 3 to 4 weeks.
These cheeses can also be frozen for between 3 to 6 months.
Fish, Poultry, and Meats When you need to store uncooked fish, poultry, or meet in the fridge, place the original packaging into another container so as to prevent dropping.
Pork and beef should be cooked or frozen within 3 days of purchase.
Ground meats, poultry, or fish should be cooked or frozen within 1 or 2.
If you are only planning on freezing the items for a short period of time, the original packaging is sufficient.
However, if the items will be stored for longer, rewrap the package in foil, freezer paper, or a plastic freezer bag.
Prevent Freezer Burn When you are storing the foods, make sure that all air has been removed from the package.
If you are freezing foods in large amounts, you should consider purchasing a vacuum sealer.
Prevent Frost In order to prevent the buildup of frost in the freezer, make sure to clean the appliance on a regular basis.
Ensure that the temperature is cold enough in the freezer as well as higher temperatures can cause the frost to increase.
Make sure that the freezer is properly sealed and the door is in good condition.
If cold air can be felt when the door is closed, the seals are not adequate and should be repaired and/or replaced.
Defrosting Food USDA recommends that food be defrosted in the microwave, in cold water, or in the refrigerator with the refrigerator being the best method.
If you choose to use cold water, insert the food into a plastic bag before submersion and change the water every half an hour.
If you choose the microwave, make sure to cook the food immediately after it is defrosted.