Storing your food properly in the fridge extends its shelf life, but it can also save you money. Which foods do not belong in it and unnecessarily increase the electricity bill?
Many of us tend to put almost everything we can in the fridge. At the same time, some foods not only do not belong there, because they lose their quality, but also cause the refrigerator to work more intensively and therefore consume more energy as a result. Which one is it specifically?
Do you want to learn some basic rules about storage in the refrigerator, thanks to which you can extend the shelf life of food? Watch an interesting YouTube video on the Save Food channel:
Source: Youtube
Potatoes
Cold temperatures in the refrigerator turn the starch in the potatoes into sugar, which negatively affects their taste and texture. Potatoes in the refrigerator release moisture, and in order to maintain a natural environment in it, it increases its performance. In addition, there is a risk of mold. Therefore, it is better to store these vegetables in a dry and dark place, for example in the basement.
Onions and garlic
It is similar with onions and garlic. They release moisture and gases, which increases the workload of the refrigerator. They also lose their flavor in a cold environment and tend to sprout and mold more quickly, promoting the growth of unwanted bacteria. The optimal solution is to store them in a dry, shady place, preferably in a well-ventilated shed.
Tomatoes
You shouldn’t even put tomatoes in the fridge. Cold air changes their structure, they become soft and mealy, and they also lose their pleasant taste and aroma. Tomatoes release ethylene, which increases the ventilation requirements of the refrigerator.
Avocado
It is also inappropriate to store avocados in the refrigerator. The cold slows its ripening process and can cause it to be tasteless, juicy, and the flesh will darken. As with tomatoes, there is a problem with ethylene being released.
Bananas
Bananas definitely don’t belong in the fridge either. This fruit also releases the aforementioned ethylene, which has an adverse effect on the operation of the appliance, and in addition, the banana browns faster, softens and loses its sweetness due to the cold air.
Peppers
Peppers are also a problem, as they cause excessive humidity in the refrigerator, and therefore a higher performance of the device. As a result of the cold, vegetables lose their smooth and juicy flesh and thus also their crunchiness.
Pastry
Definitely don’t put any type of pastry in the fridge either, it is unnecessarily rubbery and has a tendency to mold. Here, a problem arises with the release of excessive moisture, which is reflected in a higher load for the appliance.
Hot cooked food
It is also inappropriate to store uneaten cooked food that has not completely cooled down in the refrigerator. When it is warm, it increases the internal temperature of the device and the compressor has to work harder, which leads to higher energy consumption.
Resources: www.Inginnorthernbc.ca, www.kitchenaid.com, www.geappliances.com
