1. The starting point – invest in practical food storage equipment
The most obvious place to start when thinking about food storage is to invest in a wide range of good quality, long-lasting, durable containers which can be used to store food in, whether it be in the fridge, freezer or cupboard. Jars with lids, plastic or Tupperware boxes and sealing clips are all great for this – make sure you choose ones which are dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe. When selecting food savers, it’s a good idea to choose a range from large to small which fit inside each other to save space in your drawers and cabinets when they are not being used.
The IKEA ‘PRUTA’ food saver range is a great example of this.
2. Organise your cupboards and pantry
Well-organised cupboards and pantries help you cut down on waste and help you save on the money you spend on dry food, as they will make it clearer when food is going out of date and show you exactly how much you have left of some items. Rotate storage containers so that the ones containing older produce are nearer the front of shelves; and stick labels with use-by dates on to their visible surfaces. Use clear containers wherever possible – these help you keep on top of quantities. If you are storing food in low drawers or base cabinets, try and get clear lids for the storage containers – this way, you can see how much you have left of something without having to lift it out.
3. Avoid waste : save money
When you buy dry food such as flour, cereals or biscuits, take it out of its packaging straightaway and transfer it to storage containers to preserve freshness and shelf-life. Often, food packaging is not only unnecessary and harmful to the environment, but is also not as efficient as airtight jars or tins for storing food. Another good tip to avoid waste is to attach a sealing clip to a half-empty packet of crisps or a similar snack so that the contents stay fresh for longer without going stale.
4. Storage can be stylish
Just because you are being practical with your food storage doesn’t mean you have to lose sight of how your kitchen looks. Choose containers which suit the style of your kitchen; for example, metal, sleek tins look great on marble or steel surfaces, especially when stored next to stainless steel kitchen appliances such as kettles or toasters. A stylish, contemporary-looking wine rack or bread bin not only is a great storage solution, but can also actually improve how your kitchen looks.
5. Easy ways with leftovers
Organising your leftovers and storing them practically makes life in a busy household much easier – save time on the next night’s meal by freezing and re-heating food from the night before, provided it has been stored correctly. Make sure you invest in freezer and microwave safe, airtight containers, preferably with steam-release vents, which will make re-heating much simpler. Always remember that hot food cannot be transferred to the fridge or freezer in its container straightaway – make sure it has cooled down first, although be sure to refrigerate or freeze food within the first two hours of cooking in order to preserve its freshness as much as possible.
6. Make the most of your fridge and freezer
Choose square or rectangular-shaped containers to store your leftovers or produce in in the fridge and freezer – more conveniently-shaped containers increase space inside the appliances, which in turn increases air circulation and therefore cuts down on energy consumption. Shallow containers (those less than two inches deep) are a good choice for freezing food in, as these will help the food cool more rapidly. Make sure the temperatures are right in your fridge and freezer: the fridge should be kept at a cool 1 to 5 °C in order to keep food chilled and fresh, whilst the freezer should be at an optimum temperature of -18 °C.
See our range of built-in or free-standing fridges and freezers.
7. Plan ahead
Stock up on resealable, freezer-safe bags for when you know you’re going to have lots of leftovers, or if you buy double quantities of meat and want to keep some in the fridge and some in the freezer. Use up the food you already have in the pantry or cupboards before buying more, and always check expiration dates before you go food shopping so you know what has nearly expired and what is still fine. Most importantly of all, get to know how certain foods are best stored to maximise their freshness and shelf-life – for example, different fruits and vegetables require different storage arrangements.
8. When in doubt, just throw it out
Never put yourself or your family risk if you are unsure about the freshness of a certain product, just throw it away. Simply smelling or tasting something is often not an effective way of telling if it is safe, as most bacteria on food cannot be smelt, tasted or seen. Efficient food storage should minimise risks and doubts, and make for a more organised kitchen.
9. It’s easy being green
Eco-friendly, reusable food storage containers made from glass, stainless steel, Pyrex and ceramic are widely available and may appeal to those of you who don’t like the idea of investing in non-biodegradable plastic. All of these materials are freezable and dishwasher-safe, and can be reheated, whether on the stovetop or in the microwave. For more on being eco-friendly, see our Top 10 Green Tips.
10. Last but not least…
Don’t forget about the little things which, although you may not think it, can add so much to your kitchen – items like spice jars, salt and pepper shakers and oil and vinegar sets are not only fantastic storage solutions which cut down on the amount of packaging in your kitchen, but also help preserve the freshness of their contents for longer and make your kitchen a more functional, stylish room. Get more great storage ideas.
See our range of food storage and organising items
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