Your Refrigerator...Are You Storing Food Safely?

We go through the steps of organizing food in your refrigerator based on the temperatures in different zones inside the fridge.
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[@teresaballard2137]

Never thought about storing veggies on the door. Gonna rearrange my fridge after I finish watching this. Thank you!

[@dEEmARIE-]

OH OH...I hear ya there. It's not going to happen today but this week for sure. What a great idea isn't it. I confess that we have way too many condiments in this household.

[@kerryberry142]

I’m married to a chef, food safety is a huge thing in our house. Everything has its place and must be stored in that area…took me time to get used to it but now it’s habit.

[@acolley2891]

Dr. Pam, we need to have an online retirement party!

[@dEEmARIE-]

OH what a wonderful idea!!! I vote a YES on that one.

[@msmcj65]

Congratulations Pam on your retirement. I'm quite certain that won't mean you've stopped working.....lol. After 17 yrs of retirement I think now I've embraced it. I enjoy watching and learning from you. We're never too old to learn.

[@stephaniephouotrides2435]

I have a newer fridge, an LG. I can't keep eggs that close to the vent or else they freeze 🥶 The gas you're looking for is ethylene. Ag bio degree

[@yourboijohnny]

Your current refrigerator has always been a beautiful focal point in your videos I’ve admired for years! I have a side by side in white which has also seen better days and it is very old, but works well still.

[@S.Kay.Steffy]

What wonderful information !!! I’m cleaning out my fridge and rearranging it (after checking temp data) and putting my veggies in the door also. I’m ashamed to admit how much money I have wasted by losing veggies underneath other produce I placed over it 😣. I too have made more work for myself when thawing meat in the fridge…I’m thawing a turkey breast in there as I’m watching this video. Love your scientific mind 💕

[@RoseRedHomestead]

We have wasted a lot of food by placing it in the wrong bins or the wrong shelves. I normally start thawing my turkeys by placing them on the counter during the day, about 36-hours head of time. In order to make sure they do not get warm over night, like you I will place in the fridge to continue thawing and take them out of the fridge several hours before we clean and dress them. Thank you for your comments. Jim

[@KoniB.]

Gospel truth: I am cleaning out a meat juice run that went down two sets of shelves and Both my produce drawers, as I watch this. This has brought me much laughter in a unhappy morning!

[@thestickerfarm1254]

Been there, did that. Thanksgiving turkey was thawing in refrigerator on a recycled aluminum pan. Didn’t see the pinholes in bottom of pan till I saw raw turkey juice all over the tops of the soda and beer cans. What a mess. I had to wash all those cans and the shelves in hot soapy bleach water Thanksgiving morning. Learned my lesson.

[@dora7358]

Absolutely one of the best videos. You have given me so much NEEDED information that I was unaware of. Thank you. ❤️

[@dancinginabundance]

I simply love, love, love produce storage in the door! I never would have thought about that and it is logical, so excited am off to rearrange my fridge. Thanks so much!

[@diannerichard2509]

I have promised myself that when i am off between Christmas and New Years that i would do a super clean in my fridge - and dreading it. Now I am excited to do it and put the produce on the door.

[@poolahpot]

i live in florida (citrus heaven) and we store citrus in the fridge. 👍🏼 Cold weather makes the citrus sweeter ...hence storing them in the fridge is really beneficial. They also last A LOT longer in the fridge. 🤗

[@ChieftuckabuckawaysWife]

Thank you ever so much. Awhile ago I found a lime in my veggie draw in the back, I didn't remember buying limes. Turns out it wasn't a lime at all. Out of sight out of mind. I have bins that I use they slide in and out making cleanup a breeze. For fruit I have Debbie Meyer containers they slow up decomposition/release of gases and fruit stays fresher longer. Great idea to take temperatures in various zones in the "refridge". No eggs on the door, gosh I've always had eggs on the door. Well, going to keep them in the carton now. Always learn so much from you. Thank you 💓. P.S. THE LIME WAS A FORMER HEAD OF ICEBERG LETTUCE.

[@artist9321]

Exciting new video. ! Who knew not to store milk in the door! Can't wait to put veggies in the door. You are at your best in this video. You are blessing all of us! Your retirement means even more blessings to the world.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Let us know how your new fridge arrangement works out for you. Jim

[@dEEmARIE-]

Nov. 15th is National Clean your fridge day LOL

[@donnamullins2089]

Ha ha there is a day for everything. I missed it. Mine was the day I came home with the turkey and juggled all the Thanksgiving items from one fridge to the other.

[@dEEmARIE-]

@@donnamullins2089 It gets nuts! I started making sure I have a clean frig before company comes for the weekend. It keeps me in line. :)

[@KitchenFairy61]

I learned a great celery storage tip from a friend. She takes a floursack towel and wets it, wrings it out and breaks apart the celery, then rolls it up in the damp towel. She then puts the wrapped celery in a grocery store produce bag and places it in her crisper drawer. I tried it and it has worked fine. I have my freezer on the bottom so my vent is at the top of mine.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Interesting! Jim

[@dalegaa4094]

I'm going to try that. Thanks.

[@luisawatson3927]

I’m glad you also loose thing in the fridge. Today I cleaned mine, with most kids moved out I finally cleaned out all their sauces and dressings. Is all nice and clean! I’ll check temperature and decide how to efficiently organize and place things. Thanks, as always great insights.

[@sixfigurebookkeeper7588]

Wow, you are always a wealth of knowledge (you are a fantastic researching who can then break down the important parts to share). I really can’t express enough how much I appreciate you. Every minute spent watching your channel is worth it. You truly have a gift.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

We appreciate your comments. Jim

[@jeffriffel4364]

You should wrap lettuce with paper towels and then in plastic. Yes apples give off ethylene gas, you can cut up an apple and place it around a pineapple plant put a bag over it and it will start to flower.

[@wolchfam]

Never knew apples shouldn’t go in the fridge. I usually put apples in the fridge so they last longer. Also didn’t realize citrus shouldn’t go in the fridge - I’m guilty of apples and cutie oranges 🍊 in the fridge. We are a small family - husband and wife retirement ages and adult daughter. We are not big eaters so I always wanted the apples 🍎 and oranges 🍊 to last longer. Now I know better. Thanks for your research.

[@krism4139]

I am a bit confused as I have done much research on produce storage in the past year. Everything I've read says to store apples and citrus in the refrigerator. We have the same situation - just 2 of us. When I find a good deal on apples, I stock up and want to keep them fresh.

[@AZCanner]

Thank you for this valuable information. I need to get my apples out of the refrigerator.

[@rosemarybutt2608]

We experienced some eggs freezing in or new refrigerator. It happened two different times and I realized it was occurring in the same position - the four eggs that were closest to the back and side corner on the left. We moved our egg carton storage to the other side of the fridge and our problem was solved. Now I'm curious whether there was a vent on the side of the fridge wall that I hadn't noticed. Thanks for the video!

[@ericlawson9031]

Hello rosemary

[@susandorry6149]

Thank you, I knew some of this, but you've given reason to re-clean my fridge,.

[@krism4139]

Hope you enjoy your new frig. We had a 5 year old side by side die this year and after much research, we replaced it with a very simple "garage ready" (no electronics) model because all those electronic components can cause problems.

[@phil16woman64]

I lived on an organic carrot farm. Never keep carrots near apples. The off-gassing from the apples will make the carrots bitter.

[@dalegaa4094]

Thanks, I had no idea.

[@reenyny9502]

I will be off balance all day and likely up all night -- with produce in the door and condiments in the crisper. 😆

[@teresaballard2137]

The probes are an awesome idea.

[@lindahipple4817]

Hi Pam and Jim, for folks that live in areas that require generators to provide power, the temp indicators with the cable are ideal for the freezer section and refridge section. You can monitor your temps and run your gen set if you have to open the fridge/freezer once a day. Have done this for years works well, whether you live in an area of hurricane season or ice&snow season. I also store seed potatoes at 32f. Veggie seeds as well. Fresher your produce and type will determine storage/shelf life. I picked Winter Choi it lasted 4 weeks in refridge, not in the veggie bin, in my refridge door shelf, loosely bagged. Watch the current freezer & refridgerators, the cabnet(main compartment) may bend outward due to light metal exterior construction. Had this happen recently, appliance not over stocked either. The door started loosing suction, then frost built up, then the door also bent..my freezer was 1.5 yrs old..the company replaced it after 2 techs(on different days)came to "repair it" ...fortunately I had a 2nd freezer to save our food. Blessings.

[@kayemoore]

Love the SAFE plan of produce in the doors cuz I also “lose” produce in the drawers. Thanks for sharing and encouraging data collection

[@RoseRedHomestead]

You are so welcome! Jim

[@Zandanga]

Very helpful. I vaguely knew about outgassing but not specifics. No more apples in the fridge. 👍

[@cherylirvin3919]

That is how I load my refrigerator. I have kept produce on the door since we bought a new refrigerator 3 years ago.

[@nilsyn747]

The veggies at eye level is genius, I have lost so much in the save to throw out drawers. Now I have a new outlook for veggies. As a note, radishes in water seem to freeze very well above 32. 😀

[@MissWoggy]

I really enjoyed this video, thanks. When you said you’re replacing your refrigerator because it’s old that reminded me of what a repairman told my husband and I. He said that they make refrigerators disposable now so you have to buy a new one. I have 2 freezers that are probably older than I am, and I’m 65, still going strong. One was my mothers. We’ve had 3 refrigerators go out since we’ve been married which has been for 26 years at the end of this month. I would consider keeping it in your garage with your other one out there. When you garden and cook mostly from fresh I find I’m always needing extra room and if one does go out, you have an extra one.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Our current fridge is 22 years old and our fear is we keep it in the garage (or anywhere else in the garage it will give out on us and we will lose its contents), so we are just going to let the delivery and installer guys take it away. Thanks for your comments. Jim

[@bettymobley763]

Best Information on YT Will come From This Lady and Her Husband aka Jim. ❤️🙏🏻

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Thank you!! Jim

[@lforsythe2722]

Microbiology ruined my carefree life! I've been a germphobe ever since those fateful couple semesters. Enjoyed this video very much, thank you!

[@PamelaKS]

Great topic. I can’t wait to re-organize my fridge. Storing vegetables in the door is brilliant! Thanks so much for all of your hard work and incredible research. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy this channel. You have so enriched my life!

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Your comment told us how much you like our channel. Jim

[@judynoorda8046]

I need to be better at the refrigerator as well. I think I would rather clean the bathrooms before I want to clean the fridge. I’m going to accept this as a challenge and try to do better.

[@pamelapelech3249]

Great information I will move things around

[@MQ-cw9qx]

I love the veg in the door.

[@bakokat6982]

I have found washing my lettuce, in a large container that (also spins ) with fresh veg / fruit wash and then a rinse and spin keeps my lettuce crisp and it lasts longer. Wash in fresh vegetable /fruit product meant for that. I always keep my meats in original containers but put those in large ziplock plastic bags.. so no contamination from the package that was sitting in the grocery cooler where I bought it from. Great idea of a video Rose , thank you for all the good tips and reminders. PS: my daughter who has worked in a grocery store over 25 years, Said the meat cooler are not as perfectly clean we think they are.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

We have used the lettuce spinners, too. But only for short-term situations. Jim

[@sheliajones8238]

Thank you sweet lady to you and your husband for showing us things like that people really needs to know these things and I'm so glad that I follow you all thank you so much and God bless you see you in your next video

[@RoseRedHomestead]

You are welcome. Jim

[@Thetimecapsuletx]

Just as I thought I knew everything about refrigerators. 🥶 thank you for the education!

[@acolley2891]

My fridge was not cooling well and I didn't realize it. The defrost thermistor in the freezer is broken, so the freezer is covered in ice and the fridge is 50 degrees.

[@bakokat6982]

Yikes!

[@diyqueen5812]

I LOVE how REAL you are! You may not be perfect ... but you are my my go-to gal for years. I learned a lot 50 -40 years ago in 4-H. But, lots of good brush ups from you! Thanks to Jim too.

[@MrSharonrochelle]

Excellent!

[@dalegaa4094]

I've added "clean the fridge" to my To Do list.

[@horselover1124]

Great ideas.

[@Texasgirl10]

Very interesting! Thank you so much!

[@marygallagher3428]

Great advice Pam and Jim!

[@bevfitzsimmonds3382]

Happy retirement, Dr Pam! Oh, yes...the science experiments in the fridge... 🥴 l have just released some of my results to the compost...it certainly speeds the breakdown process of garden refuse! Sigh.... 🙄😏 Very good information, thankyou. 👍 God bless.

[@Hillhouse1956]

Very helpful information, thank you!

[@lgkitten1883]

We can always count on you to do the research. Thank you!

[@DutchAlaskagirl]

Great video. Definitely gonna do some testing and rearranging 🥰

[@colleenj225]

I sold appliances at Home Depot and Sears. Refrigerators are not all created equal. I chose the Samsung dual compressor, for superior shelf-life of food. The newest dual inverter are the most efficient. Sound is also a consideration. Seems your current fridge works well… not knowing the age, impossible to guess efficiency. The shelves and bins look very high quality. I’d guess its better than the replacement overall.

[@pamharkins4601]

As always something very useful! Not the same old stuff like most u tubers. Thanks

[@PinkJillybeanz]

So good, thank you!

[@questionasker1749]

After losing all my meat from turning temp to lowest, then leaving for 6 days, I was rethinking placement etc as fridge froze too! An expensive mess. Thank you for confirming what I've been thinking!💕💓💕🌞🙏

[@dianehoffman6640]

Thanks for this video I learned a lot

[@cherylfaulkner7991]

You provide such great information!! Thanks!

[@ediemurray1692]

Ty

[@Gogrannygo55]

My refrigerator is an oldie. Thank you for this. I didn’t know most of this.

[@teresaballard2137]

My fridge is exactly like yours. Our ice maker went in the second year.

[@flowerchild777]

Wow, I've got most all of the no-nos in my fridge at this very moment😕 Wonderful information. Who'd have thunk it? Thank you for sharing your scientific mind

[@brendamillican8166]

Thanks for more useful and trustworthy information! You have inspired me to give my fridge more attention and make some changes in how it’s organized. You guys are the best! ❤

[@teresatrump8366]

Great video, learned a lot.

[@bettypierce8050]

Thanks

[@genskitchenmagic2957]

ETHYLENE gas is what fruits produce as they ripen.

[@JoandIvan777]

great video, thanks for the info. great idea on the veggies. gonna go search for vents!!

[@ceciliafuentes3299]

Love you, you are so sweet and funny. I had things in my refrigerator that could also walk away if I released it. 😳 😅 🤔

[@pinschrunner]

Cleaning out my frig again this weekend...

[@galemathews2793]

This is an awesome video!

[@faith4390]

Thank you so very much. I have broken all of these but now I know better. I appreciate you and your husband taking the time to make these videos.

[@joebloggsgogglebox]

You can buy mini ozone generators for fridges that you put in the fridge door and leave running to kill any bacteria.

[@barboliver9938]

wow good info this is amazing thanks

[@katie27320]

Love the idea of veggies in the door. My produce drawer tends to be the Bermuda Triangle!

[@Famcke]

Very interesting! Thank you so much for bringing us these teachings. I learn so much. Luckily KZbin will save them for us. Best wishes 💐💙🙏🇺🇲

[@spencerking1070]

I just love your scientific mind. So refreshing from mans of NC

[@1netie]

Thank you for this important information. I found it very helpful. I am guilty of doing some things incorrectly, but armed with this info, I am making changes for the better.

[@jackieperkins8514]

Great video! And Happy Retirement, Professor Pam. 😁

[@chris109]

Wow! Thank you so much! I LOVE the idea of keeping veggies in the door! Mine are all in the drawers, & out of sight…out of mind! Guess what I’ll be doing today?!

[@sabrinadrabing595]

Very good to know! ❤️🙏🏻🇺🇸

[@lynsmith2698]

I love this. I only have a 30” wide fridge and the crisper drawers drive me crazy for the same reasons and also because I only go to town every two months, so it seems,like wasted space for me. I think I am going to try putting fresh,produce in the door, since I don’t have a ton of fresh during the winter. Thanks so much Pam🇨🇦❄️🌷

[@monique3650]

Check your model of fridge for air filters on them. Our newer fridge has an air filter on the vent that needs to be changed occasionally.

[@ruthspillman546]

Very helpful!!! I have an old frig that eas in the house wwhen I purchaed it 3 years ago. Ii checked the temps on each shelf to find it eas too warm at 41 degrees. I took everything out of my freezer and arranged the shelves so that nothing was close to the back wall where the cold air was coming through. I plan to leave this frid when I sell the home and will then get another frig. I used a maytag large side by side before moving here. It was trulynthe best for keep foods that I have ever used!!! I still have it outside and may use it in my next home. Great vedio as aleays. I si enjoy learning!!! So happy about your retirement. I am retired but stay busy. I have a garden and love to can, freeze, and dry foods.

[@katrinagarland5219]

As usual, I learned some great skills from you. Keep up the good work... it is much appreciated.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Thanks! Jim

[@teresamexico309]

I do like your idea of storing produce in the door, thank you. Contamination: I do wash with a soapy sponge every item that goes in the refrigerator, except some produce. I have being doing it since decades ago. Things than can not be washed with soap (like butter) I remove the outer package and place it in a clean plastic container (most of them BPA free) or I use glass containers. Produce: I place them into clean plastic containers or bags and they go in the crisper box. I wash them when ready to use. However, I do wash with a soapy sponge produce like avocados, cucumbers, etc dry them off and then store them in the crisper box.

[@laramccully3272]

Zucchini and ginger root also keep much longer out of the fridge. An uncut zucchini will spoil faster in the fridge than on the counter. You should store ginger root the same way you store garlic. You can cut the pieces off as needed and it will just scab over on its own.🙂

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Thanks for the information. Jim

[@danniemcdonald4903]

Very interesting information! I knew that potatoes and onions shouldn't be stored together but was not aware of fruits being kept separated. One of my favorite snacks is grape tomatoes and I prefer them cold so have always refrigerated them. Same with apples and other fruit. I'll have to look up the reason why they shouldn't be refrigerated. Thanks for taking the time to do all of the "leg work" for us!

[@lisav8205]

Thanks again for all of your research and relevant information. I cook ALOT and I can tell you, when I put leftovers in the fridge, I always flash chill them in the freezer first (if they are still hot/warm) and then I put them in the fridge, once cold. It does create some ice crystals in the freezer if I'm flash cooling alot of food, but it's still a negligible amount. Not sure if this flash cooling makes a scientific difference, but I feel better not putting warm/very warm leftovers in the fridge where it takes a long time to cool them down and makes the fridge work even harder to stay cool.

[@katiedenessen829]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Food waste is such an important issue. I’ve been trying really hard to find different things to try to make produce last. The two things I swear by is wrapping celery in aluminum foil, and wrapping lettuce up in paper towel and storing it in a ziplock. I really admire you and your videos and think you’re very wise :)

[@dreediv]

This was excellant thank you

[@RoseRedHomestead]

You are welcome! Jim

[@sharonbrown2352]

Good information.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Thanks! Jim

[@pikayla5749]

I have a clear plastic bit with handle cutouts I added to my refrigerator to store raw meat. It fits fully between the two middle shelves so nothing can get accidentally dropped in and it is easy to remove for cleaning. It's the XL Bino brand bin on Amazon. Their products are excellent!

[@neilmunro6683]

Good for you.. Great info... Far ran-height is a pain for a Brit!!! vacuum packing is also a help in per longing food in the fridge..Kindness your way.. Lochness Scottish Highlands..

[@patricetaylor814]

Great idea for bottom draws of frig. I like for the same reason as you.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Thanks! Jim

[@amandabaker4496]

Yes i know what you mean about the fridge not getting enough attention. Modern lifestyles are busy. All we can do is the best we can and be thankful for what we have. Good video

[@tracywusterhausen9452]

This is wonderful information! I learned a lot. Thank you!

[@RoseRedHomestead]

You are so welcome! Jim

[@laurarowland7926]

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!!..I have tried numerous ways to organize and label things..it's an ongoing battle with leftovers so I have decided to just make a list to put on front door!😖☹️🙏

[@kandyhoward1678]

Very timely information! I'm awaiting the arrival of my new fridge and this information will help me organize it well. Thank you!

[@RoseRedHomestead]

Great! We are waiting for ours too. Jim

[@tammygagnon996]

Thank you. Going to rearrange my fridge. This video was extremely helpful.

[@RoseRedHomestead]

So glad it was helpful!

[@whynot2934]

I never consider using the crisper drawers for condiments, and produce in the door. And, of course, I just cleaned/reorganized the fridge door. :) Also, I highly recommend the ACU-RITE wireless fridge/freezer thermometers. I keep thermometers in the basement fridge & freezer and it connects wirelessly to the display I keep in the kitchen. No more unpleasant surprises.