5 Common Fridge Stacking Mistakes

From Jean-Marc Adele, Refrigeration Expert – Mitsubishi Electric

Fresh is always best
According to the Australia's Kitchen Revolution report * 97% of Aussie grocery buyers stated that buying 'fresh" is important, whilst two-thirds (69%) described it as extremely important. Summer in Australia calls for fresh all the way, so look after your fruit and veg and reap the benefits of our delicious seasonal produce. This is where the features of your fridge have a chance to shine! Fruit and veg should be kept separate and stored like for like eg. apples with apples, carrots with carrots. Ripening fruit produces ethylene, which can speed up the ripening of other produce, causing it to rot. Use meat freezers, cheese drawers and so on for their designated purpose to ensure your ingredients are as fresh as can be.

Meat and seafood on the top shelves
Ham, turkey, chicken, and the Aussie Christmas essential - prawns – should be stored on the bottom shelf of the fridge . This ensures any liquids don't taint products in the shelves below. Look for a Supercool chilling function, which stores perishables at about -3-0 degrees, meaning you won't need to defrost.

Lack of visibility
One of the best ways to waste food, is to purchase what you've already got. We've all been guilty of forgetting about fruit and veg pushed to the back of the crisper. In newer fridge designs, compartmentalised vegetable drawers allow for quick visibility. You'll never find a mouldy mushroom again!

Storage wars
Everyone loves Christmas leftovers – there's nothing better than opening the fridge and seeing a plethora of ham, salads and (if you're lucky) prawns for post-festivities snacking. Too often a long day of festivities means perishables get thrown haphazardly in the fridge, when they should be stored in clear containers, sealed tight and shelved in plain sight, ensuring they stay just as delicious as they did at the main event.

Hanging on to too much
Never stuff the refrigerator too full. Cool air needs to circulate to keep food at a safe temperature. If you find yourself with simply too many leftovers, consider offloading some to your guests or neighbours, which is a great way to help spread the Christmas cheer!