Britons told to avoid keeping milk in door compartment of fridge

Trying to reduce the amount of food we waste is something that is on our minds on a daily basis, but one expert has shared a simple way to do so.

By Chloe Dobinson, Lifestyle Reporter

Scene of a group of happy friends meeting in the kitchen before cooking for a party

Bills are rising so it is no wonder we are trying to reduce our food waste (Image: Getty)

The cost of living crisis has affected Brits up and down the country with food bills rising. While freezing has been a great way to stop ingredients from going off not all food can be frozen.

However, a kitchen expert has revealed the best way to keep food fresher for longer in your fridge. Even better it is pretty simple to do.

As many of us are feeling the pinch, one simple way to claw back some pounds is by reviewing the way you stack the contents of your fridge.

Not only is it likely to help the appliance work more efficiently and cut energy bills, but it will also lengthen the life of your increasingly expensive groceries.

Jennifer Shaw, an expert from Plumbworld explained: “Having a system when it comes to unloading your shopping is very effective.

A man is opening a refrigerator full of various food items in a well-lit, modern kitchen

It turns out the way we stack our food plays a key role (Image: Getty)

“Being organised means you know where to find things and are less likely to have food that you’ve forgotten about languishing at the back of your fridge."

Not only does it mean less food waste, which is good for the environment, but also great for your pocket. Shaw continued: “Another good rule to follow is to avoid overfilling your fridge.

"Stacking stuff on top of each other will prevent air circulating between your goods and cold air getting everywhere it needs to. This means your fridge has to work harder and your food will go off quicker.”

Young woman doing shopping in a small French grocery store in Èze, Alpes-Maritimes

We are trying to reduce the amount we spend in supermarkets (Image: Getty)

The expert said it is also key to pay attention to where everything goes. Where you keep your milk in between making a cuppa or pouring it over your cereal is also important - and it's one that catches out many people.

Most people store their bottle or carton in the fridge door, but Shaw advised: “This area is warmer than the rest of the fridge, which could be the reason your milk isn't lasting very long.

"Try storing it in the main part of the fridge instead. You should be able to move the shelves around to accommodate it."

She says eggs are better in the main part too, rather than the racks you sometimes find, while sauces and drinks bottles should be fine in the door.

She added: “Fridges have sections that are colder and warmer than others, which helps because different foods keep better at different temperatures.

“Meat and fish, for example, need to be kept colder. This will mostly be at the rear of the fridge, where there is less impact from opening and closing the door. But it might be worth using a thermometer to check this out.”

The kitchen expert also revealed why fruit and vegetables have a separate drawer at the bottom of the fridge.

“They should be stored in their dedicated compartments because this part of the fridge isn’t as dry as the rest, meaning it should keep everything fresher for longer,” she said.

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