Last week, we took a sneaky peek at what it was in your home that tended to use up the most power.
We’re talking heating, lighting, Television…If you would like to get all the info, take a look at the blog entry. It’ll let you know where your money tends the go and give you some tips on how you can make some significant savings.
One of the aspects that we spoke about in the previous entry was the humble refrigerator. Having to stay on 24/7 to keep your food cool and fresh, it’s unsurprising that it should make the list.
However, one way in which you could save on some energy with this device is to manage exactly how much you put into it. The more you put into a refrigerator, the harder it has the work to remain at a desired temperature. The harder it has to work…Well, we’re sure you can figure that out.
But how can you decide what not to put in the fridge? You don’t want your food to go bad and waste even more money.
Well, the truth of the matter is, many of us stock items in our refrigerators that simply do not need to be there. In fact, in such cold surroundings, you may actually be doing some items more harm than good!
Let’s take a look at 5 items commonly put in the fridge that simply don’t need to be there.
Bread: You might think that hiding your bread away in the fridge is a good idea. Bugs and other miniature munching machines (aka mice), do love to snack on a slice or two, so it’s reasonable to want to protect your stock. However, getting it really cold just isn’t the answer. With a major risk of drying out and getting stale, you’d be much better off investing in a bread bin. They’re practical, secure and look great in the kitchen.
Fruits: We all love a nice, cool bit of fruit. It tastes absolutely lovely and is extra refreshing, especially on those rare, hot summer days. But, the truth if the matter is, many fruits are much better of living on the kitchen counter. From sucking out moisture (apples) to blackening the skin (bananas), it’s difficult to find a fruit that would not be tastier and more nutritious outside of the refrigerator. Tomatoes, Peppers, avocados…Keep them out and reap the rewards.
Vegetables: Much like the fruits noted above, many vegetables would benefit from a swift relocation from the electronic cool box in your kitchen. Potatoes (both sweet and regular) should be kept in a dark location, preferably at room temperature. Onions, shallots and garlic really hate refrigerators, sprouting at an accelerated rate under the conditions. Have a veg box or cupboard and store your vegetables that way. You’ll find the food will be much better off for it.
Jam: Whilst there is nothing especially wrong with having jam in the fridge, there’s equally nothing wrong with keeping it elsewhere that is cool and dry. Honey and syrup, however, would most certainly prefer to be somewhere else, especially if you’re not going to consume them fairly quickly. Crystalizing if kept under refrigerated conditions, you might want to think about your storing options…Oh, and for all you awesome people who like a dollop of marmite on your morning toast first thing in the morning? Well, let’s just say that cooling that glorious goop right down is going to make it even more stiff and difficult to negotiate with. Now why on earth would you want that?
Butter: It might seem like common sense to keep your dairy in the coldest place available and, for the most part, you’d be absolutely right. But, just as with the marmite we just spoke of, it can make things a little tricky when it comes to spreading. We’ve all experienced the frustration of rock hard butter and it’s not a great way to kick off the day. Thankfully, you need not suffer any more. It is perfectly fine to keep it out in a cool place, as long as it’s covered and that you use it within a week or so. Sure, if it’s hot weather you’re experiencing, consider the refrigerator option…But this is Scotland. When does that happen?
We all like our food to keep fresh, but sometimes the fridge is just not the way to go. Items can actually go off quicker and, because it’s unnecessary overloaded, cause your appliance to work harder, using more power and, as a result, beefing up your power bill.
If we’ve got you thinking, take a look at what else you could remove from your fridge. What did we miss? Do you have any tips for alternative food storage options?
Let us know!
