Storing Food: What Belongs in Which Refrigerator Compartment?

Irrespective of whether it is perishable or has a long shelf life – food should not just be pushed into the refrigerator where there is still enough space. Because in most refrigerators there is a regulated system. Since it is not equally cold in every area, it is best to use the different cold zones as a guide when storing food. It’s coldest on the back wall near the evaporator at the bottom, on the glass shelf above the crisper, where the cold air sinks. Accordingly, sensitive foods should be stored in the coldest zones.

• Fruit and vegetables are kept cool in a classic multi-zone refrigerator, but not too cold. It is best to place both in the vegetable drawer, where the temperature is between 6 and 10 degrees Celsius. Cold-sensitive tropical fruits such as bananas, on the other hand, do not belong in the fridge at all.
• Foodstuffs such as fish and meat products that spoil very quickly are stored at the bottom, directly above the vegetable compartment. At 0 to 4 degrees Celsius, this is the coldest part of the refrigerator. The cold ensures that any germs cannot multiply as quickly. Nevertheless, the food should always be well covered and not kept for too long.
• The temperature in the middle of the fridge is around 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. Dairy products such as yogurt, cream, quark, or cream cheese are stored here. Milk in tetra packs must also be stored in this zone.
• Long-lasting foods such as cheese and smoked meat products belong on the top level of the refrigerator. Covered leftovers are also kept in this zone, where temperatures are around 5 to 7 degrees Celsius.
• Long-lasting food can also be stored in the refrigerator door. At around 8 to 12 degrees Celsius, a door is a good place for bottled drinks, eggs, butter, mustard, ketchup, or sauces.

Important: Large quantities of leftovers that are still warm should be allowed to cool before storing in the refrigerator. In this way, the temperatures in the device do not get mixed up and the refrigerator does not consume any additional energy to regulate itself back to normal levels. Food from the refrigerated section, on the other hand, is packed into the fridge as quickly as possible after purchase so as not to interrupt the cold chain.