Cleaning up your fridge can save on waste and money

If your refrigerator resembles more of a science experiment than a healthy food space, today is your day.

National Clean Out Your Fridge Day aims to rid our kitchens of those jars of jam growing mould, sauces two years past their expiry dates and vegetables starting to weep from decomposition.

Jean-Marc Adele, product manager from Mitsubishi Electric, says the way you stack your fridge can have a huge impact on its cooling capabilities, and, in turn, the freshness and taste of your food.

“Fridges need internal breathing to maintain a uniform temperature and keep your food fresher for longer.

“When fridges are overstocked with no space between items on the shelves, circulation of air is reduced which forces the compressor to work harder and this can increase running costs and your energy bill,” he says.

To celebrate the day, Mitsubishi Electric ambassador and cook “Fast Ed” Halmagyi offers these tips:

1. The 25 per cent rule: If your shelves are stocked at 100 per cent, take away 25 per cent and spread the food out on the shelf.

2. Corral smelly foods: Some of our favourite things to eat are also the smelliest because that’s where the flavour comes from! Put pungent onions, cheese or seafood in the chilling compartment to lock in the aromas and also the freshness.

3. Only chill foods that need it:

Taking up space with food that doesn’t need refrigeration will clutter your fridge. Here are some examples.

Washed potatoes? Definitely in the fridge. But your brushed potatoes with the dirt go in the pantry. The dirt will keep them fresh all on its own.

Ripe, soft mangoes go in the crisper, but rock hard ones? Leave them on the bench for a couple of days. Same rule for avocados – ripe in the fridge, hard on the bench.

Never put bananas in the fridge. It’ll make them black and can even make them a little bit sour. It is, however, a really good way to ripen them for a banana cake.

4. Zone it: Allocate zones on each shelf for like items and aim to stick to it. The easier things are to find, the less wastage you should experience.

Try to separate proteins from non-proteins to avoid cross contamination.