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Ensure your refrigerator's efficiency with regular maintenance. Learn 3 key reasons why it's important and get expert tips from Sears Home Services.
Food Storage Guidelines: How Long to Keep Food in the Fridge
Stay informed about food safety with our comprehensive food storage guidelines, covering everything from dairy to meat to vegetables. Learn how long you can keep common refrigerated items fresh and get tips on maximizing the shelf life of your groceries. Plus, discover expert advice on organizing your fridge effectively to prevent food loss and ensure optimal freshness throughout the week.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Knowing the refrigerator storage times for various food items helps you determine when it’s time to consume or discard them.
- Maintaining proper fridge and freezer temperatures, storing foods in appropriate compartments, using airtight containers for leftovers, and avoiding overcrowding ensures optimal air circulation all help keep food fresh longer.
- By planning ahead for the week and organizing the fridge effectively, individuals can prevent food loss and ensure they consume items before they spoil, reducing waste and saving money.
Wondering if those leftovers are still good? What about that meat? Or milk? Our infographic breaks down the shelf life of common refrigerated items and offers up tips for keeping food fresh.
Because sell-by dates often aren't reliable indicators of when something has gone bad, it can be difficult to know how long is too long when it comes to an item’s shelf life. These need-to-know food storage guidelines will help keep you healthy and your fridge fresh.
Tips to keep food fresh longer
Follow this expert advice to help keep food fresh for longer in your fridge:
- Keep your fridge temp at or below 40°F, and set your freezer to 0ºF.
- Don’t slice foods until you’re ready to eat them.
- Store leafy vegetables with humidity control set on high.
- Store fruits with humidity controls set on low.
- Don’t store meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables in the same crisper.
- Don’t put easily perishable items in the fridge door, where the temp is warmer.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers.
- Avoid overcrowding, as this can block cold air circulation and cause warm spots.
Be sure to plan ahead for the week to prevent food loss, and don’t forget to organize your fridge in the most effective way.
Refrigerator Storage Times
How long do those eggs last? Should you toss that hamburger meat? Our fridge storage timeline has the answers.
Dairy
Opened Milk: 3-5 days
Opened Cheese: 2-3 weeks
Eggs
Fresh: 2-5 weeks
Products with eggs: 1-2 days
Deli Meat
Unopened: 2 weeks
Opened: 3-5 days
Meat
Steaks, chops, roasts: 3-5 days
Ground meat: 1-2 days
Poultry
Whole or parts: 1-2 days
Leftover cooked meat and poultry: 3-4 days
Fish
Raw fish and shellfish: 1-2 days
Leftover cooked seafood: 3-4 days
Vegetables
Beans, cucumbers, broccoli, lettuce, peppers: 1 week
Beets, celery, corn on the cob, carrots: 2 weeks
Fruit
Berries: 2-3 days
Avocados: 7-10 days
Citrus: 3 weeks
Always stay safe when handling food. When in doubt, throw it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I safely store leftovers?
Usually 3–4 days in a sealed container. Sears Home Services notes that consistent fridge temps are crucial for safe storage.
Do different foods require different fridge zones?
Yes, raw meats at the bottom, produce in crisper drawers, etc. Sears Home Services also recommends using built-in controls if available.
Will a fridge malfunction reduce food shelf life?
Absolutely, improper cooling accelerates spoilage. Sears Home Services can fix temperature problems to keep food fresher longer.
How do I ensure my fridge stays at a safe temp?
Use a thermometer to confirm around 37°F. If temps fluctuate, Sears Home Services can inspect gaskets, vents, and coolant levels.
Schedule refrigerator maintenance now!
Extend the lifespan of your refrigerator and prevent unexpected and costly breakdowns with our routine maintenance service.
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Glossary Terms
A compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume, essential in various systems including refrigerators, air conditioners, and HVAC units for cooling and refrigeration processes.
A condenser is a component of HVAC and refrigeration systems, responsible for releasing absorbed heat from the refrigerant into the outside air or a water line, thus facilitating the cooling process.
A dual ice maker is a feature in some refrigerators that includes two separate ice makers: one in the fridge compartment and another in the freezer section. This setup doubles the appliance's ice-making capacity.
A French-door refrigerator features two doors that open side-by-side on the top section for the refrigerator compartment, with a bottom freezer drawer, combining style, efficiency, and easy access to both refrigerated and frozen goods.
Common Repair Refrigerator Symptoms
The most common reasons your LG refrigerator icemaker reset button is not working are a faulty icemaker, a malfunctioning PCB, or a defective water valve.
The most common reasons your Samsung refrigerator is leaking water are a clogged defrost drain, cracked dispenser water tubing or a damaged evaporator.
The most common reasons your Kenmore Elite refrigerator stopped working are a locked compressor, damaged evaporator or a defective electronic control board.
The most common reasons your Maytag refrigerator stopped working are a locked compressor, damaged evaporator or a defective electronic control board.
The most common reasons your Kenmore refrigerator is noisy are a faulty ice maker assembly, defective electronic control board or a locked compressor.
The most common reasons your Kenmore refrigerator fan is not working are a defective electronic control board, damaged evaporator or a locked compressor.