Expert reveals why you should never put milk in your fridge door
Many of us are using our fridges all wrong, experts say. For example, the door is apparently the last place you want to be keeping your milk in the fridge...
Refrigeration experts have revealed the mistakes many of us make when using our fridges - including putting milk in the door.
However, there's an even bigger blunder many of us make in our coolers. Overloading our fridge is one the most common mistakes we all make, says Miele GB's lead culinary manager, Cesar Fernandez.
He explained that over-filled fridges suffer from poor airflow. This makes it harder for the kitchen appliance to maintain a consistent temperature.
Cesar says that fridges should be kept clutter-free - and over-stocking is a big no-no. However, an empty fridge has to work harder to regulate its temperature, causing it to use more energy - so striking the right balance is crucial.
He also recommends we should give our fridges a monthly deep clean - and he has some great advice on how best to do this. Obviously, it's best to remove all shelves and drawers - but harsh chemicals should be avoided.
Instead, use a mild detergent - or a mixture of water and baking soda. And he has a superb 'hack' to keep your fridge smelling fresh.
Cesar recommends keeping a small dish of coffee beans or bicarbonate of soda inside the fridge. He says these are great at absorbing unwanted odours.
You could, perhaps, keep these in your fridge door - because you definitely shouldn't be keeping your milk or other dairy produce in this part of the fridge. Lucinda Hankin, a food stylist at recipe box service Gousto, says there's a really good reason for this.
She explained that the door is where the fridge's temperature fluctuates the most. And it's best to keep dairy at a constant temperature, where possible.
So, where should you keep your milk, cheese and cream? Lucinda says they should kept in the coldest part of the fridge – which is towards the back, where the temperature is more stable
She also advises that dairy is kept in its original packaging - or a well-sealed container, to help prevent air exposure, which can speed up spoilage. And Lucinda has some special advice for soft cheeses.
She says it's a good idea these in wax paper before placing them in a container. This will them to breathe, while still keeping them protected.
Other common refrigeration mistakes include:
- Storing old food at the back
- Not covering leftovers
- Storing meat on the top shelf
- Storing the wrong items in our fridges
- Keeping your fridge too cold – or too warm