Comments on: Keep your refrigerator in order

By: astronomer

astronomer — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 07:44:49 +0000

thanks Jen – that’s a great idea!

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:37:28 +0000

We got a small lazy susan for our fridge that we keep all the jars of PB&J, chili bean paste, pickles, and various other condiments we use regularly. Now, nothing gets buried at the back of the shelf.

By: bine

bine — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:58:34 +0000

I never understood why anyone would want to clutter a fridge with ten different pre-made salad dressings. they’re done in less than minute to about five minutes, depending on the dressing. i do, however, need more than one jar of mustard. dijon, extra zingy and honey mustard are the minimum. they never get a chance to expire, we’re mustard freaks.
i haven’t heard that you’re supposed to keep perfume in the fridge but some cream based makeup and care products keep longer in the fridge, especially if you want those without preservatives.

By: Monica Ricci

Monica Ricci — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 00:14:40 +0000

We clean out our fridge on the night before trash day each week. This way, nothing ever gets old and stinky and the food never sits in our kitchen trash getting warm and smelling bad. It goes from the fridge to the trash and the trash goes out to the curb. Because we do it each week, it only takes a few minutes.

By: Erika

Erika — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 18:31:22 +0000

I don’t keep my batteries in the fridge, but I do keep film (my husband and I are both photographers, and have almost a dozen cameras, so we use a variety of film sizes/types) and nail polish in the fridge (since it takes me forever to go through a bottle).

I’ve heard you’re supposed to keep perfume in the fridge… does anyone do that? I mean, considering you’re supposed to spray it on your skin only, and avoid contact with your clothes, I really can’t imagine opening the fridge in my skivvies just to spritz a little scent on. Ideas?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 06:14:03 +0000

Two reasons, at least for me:

1. Because we don’t buy twelve-packs of canned soda. We buy six-packs of mixers like ginger ale and club soda, Hansen’s diet black cherry soda, or Diet Coke. The beverage can dispenser holds a variety; the uncooled cans stay down in the pantry until it’s time to replenish the supply.

2. Because I really dislike the cardboard — it lacks visibility so you can’t see what you have, it gets soggy if something drips on it, and it’s aesthetically unpleasing.

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:42:27 +0000

Just curious, why does anyone buy pop can dispensers anymore when all (or at least all that I’ve seen in MN) 12 packs are built ‘as pop can dispensers’?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:42:27 +0000

Several good points in the post, but don't forget that amateur foodies like order too! Keeping a tidy fridge doesn't mean eschewing pre-made dressings if you're prone to enjoying variety! But to get more out of fridge storage: You can store condiments, cheeses, meats, etc. in clear shoe drawers. My husband likes charcuterie plates and it's very easy to keep random packages of specialty meats and cheeses in their own drawers; it's also a good way to get more out of your space. Also, because we are condiment people and always have multiple types of chutneys, relishes, mustards, garnishes on hand, the drawers are good for storing those jars too. Also, I really like our beverage can dispenser. If you're a household that likes canned drinks (or canned mixers), it comes in handy. Finally -- so long as you're keeping that fridge tidy, wipe down the shelves every week! You keep your FOOD in the fridge -- do you really want gross mystery puddles in there too?

By: BigNerd

BigNerd — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:04:48 +0000

And for God's sake people, get rid of the crap on the OUTside of the fridge too. Not my fridge: http://catcode.com/n900/first/refrig.jpg

By: Brendan

Brendan — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:57:03 +0000

I concur with John, its been shown that more energy is lost by the fridge through its walls than is ever lost by opening the door.

By: Dr. Ragan, www.psychologyofclutter.com

Dr. Ragan, www.psychologyofclutter.com — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:13:32 +0000

Wow, we must be on the same wavelength. Yesterday on my Life Maintenance Monday I posted a plan to clean out the fridge over the course of a week. Most people avoid doing it because it seems too daunting a task. Small steps over several days equals no more funky smell.

By: John Jacobsen

John Jacobsen — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:01:50 +0000

I’m a fan of your blog and like an uncluttered refrigerator – but as a physicist I’d like to clarify one thing – it costs less energy to open the door on a full fridge (where that extra mayo “stores cold” in one place) than an empty one (where all the cold air essentially falls to the floor with a thud, to be replaced with warm air that has to be reheated).

Keep up the good blogging!
John