Fresh Food Storage; Frozen Food Storage - Maytag MSB2154DRA User Manual

Food Storage "tips .................................................
Fresh Food Storage Frozen Food Storage
• The fresh food compartment of a refrigerator shouht • The freezer compartment of a refrigerator shouM be
be kept between 34°F and 40°F with an optimum kept at 0°F or lower. To check the temperature,
temperature of 37°F. To check the temperature, place an applianee thermometer between the frozen
place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water packages and check after 24 hours. If the tempera-
and place in the center of tile refrigerator. Check ture is above 0°F, adjust the control as described on
after "24 hours. If the temperature is above 40°F page 3.
adjust the controls as explained on page 3. • A freezer operates more efficiently when it is at least
• Temperatures measured elsewhere in the refriger- two-thirds full.
ator may vary from crisper readout temperatures
(select models) due to location of crisper thermostat. Packaging Foods for Freezing
• Avoid overcrowding the refrigerator shelves. This • To minimize dehydration and quality deterioration
reduces the circulation of air around the food and use aluminum foil, freezer wrap, freezer bags or air-
results in uneven cooling, tight containers. Force as much air out of the pack-
ages as possible and be sure they are tightly sealed.
Fruit and Vegetables
Trapped air can cause the food to dry out, change
• Store in the crisper drawers to help preserve the fruit color and develop an oil-flavor (freezer bum).
and vegetable quality tbr longer time periods. • Overwrap fresh meats and poultry with suitable
• Sort fruits and vegetables before storage and use freezer wrap prior to freezing.
bruised or soft items t]i'st. Discard those showing • Do not refreeze meat that has completely
signs of dec_, thawed.
• Ahvays wrap odorous foods such as onions and cab-
bage so the odor does not transfer to other foods. Loading the Freezer
• While vegetables need a certain amount of moisture • Avoid adding too much warm food to the freezer at
to remain fresh, too much moisture can shorten one time. This overloads the freezer, slows the rate of
storage times (especi_ly lettuce). Drain vegetables freezing and can raise the temperature of frozen
well before storing, foods.
Meat and Cheese • Leave space between the packages so cold air can
circulate freely, allowing food to freeze as quickly as
• flaw meat and poultry should be wrapped securely possible.
so leakage and contamination of other foods or sur- * Avoid storing hard-to-freeze foods such as ice cream
faces does not occur, and orange juice on the freezer door shelves. These
• Occasionally mold will develop on the surface of foods are best stored in the freezer interior where
hard cheeses (Swiss, Cheddar, Parmesan). Cut off at the temperature varies Iess _vith door openings.
least an inch around and below the moldy area. Keep
your knife or instrument out of the mold itself. The
remaining cheese will be safe and flavorful to eat. Do
NOT try to save individual cheese sliees, soft cheese,
cottage cheese, cream, sour cream or yogurt when
mold appears.
Dairy Food
• Most dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, sour cream and
cottage cheese have freshness dates on their cartons
for appropriate length of storage. Store these foods in
the original carton and refrigerate immediately after
purchasing and after each use.
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