Food Storage Guide - Whirlpool ED20F134RN0 Owner's Manual

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Food Storage Guide
There is a correct way to package and store
refrigerated or frozen food. To keep food fresher,
longer, take the time to study these recom-
mended steps.
Storing fresh food
Food placed in the refrigerator should be
wrapped or stored in air and moisture proof
material. This prevents food odor and taste
transfer throughout the refrigerator.
For dated
products, check code date to ensure freshness.
Leafy vegetables
Remove store wrapping and trim or tear off
bruised and discolored areas. Wash in cold water
and drain. Place in plastic bag or plastic container
and store in sealed crisper. Cold, moist air helps
keep leafy vegetables
fresh and crisp.
Vegetables
with skins (carrots,
peppers)
Store in sealed crisper, plastic bags or plastic
container.
Fruit
Wash, let dry and store in refrigerator in plastic
bags or sealed crisper. Do not wash or hull
berries until they are ready to use. Sort and keep
berries in their store container in the sealed
crisper or store in a loosely closed paper bag on
a refrigerator shelf.
Meat
Most meat can be stored in original wrapping as
long as it is air and moisture proof. Rewrap if
necessary. See the following chart for storage
times.
Storage
chart for fresh and cured meat*
TYPE
APPROXIMATE
TIME
(DAYS)
Chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2
Ground beef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..___............ 1 to 2
Steaks and roasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to 5
Cured meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 to 10
Bacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 to 7
Cold cuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to 5
Variety meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2
‘If meat is to be stored longer than the times
given, follow the directions for freezing.
NOTE: Fresh fish and shellfish should be used
the same day as purchased.
Eggs
Store without washing in the original carton on an
interior shelf. On some models, an egg container
has been provided for your convenience.
Milk
Wipe milk containers.
For best storage, place
milk on interior shelf.
Butter or margarine
Keep opened butter in covered dish or closed
compartment.
When storing an extra supply,
wrap in freezer packaging and freeze.
14
Cheese
Store in the original wrapping until you are ready
to use it. Once opened, rewrap tightly in plastic
wrap or aluminum foil.
Leftovers
Cover leftovers with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Plastic containers with tight lids can also be used.
Storing frozen food
The freezer section is designed for storage of
commercially
frozen food and for freezing food at
home. For further information about preparing
food for freezing, contact your local Cooperative
Extension Service or check a freezer guide or
cookbook.
Packaging
The secret of successful freezing is in the
packaging.
The way you close and seal the
package must not allow air or moisture in or out.
Packaging done in any other way could cause
food odor and taste transfer throughout the
refrigerator and drying of frozen food.
Packaging
recommended
for use:
. Rigid plastic containers with tight-fitting lids
l
Straight-sided
canning/freezing
jars
l
Heavy-duty
aluminum foil
l
Plastic-coated
paper
l
Non-permeable
plastic wraps (made from a
Saran film)
Follow package or container instructions for
proper freezing methods.
Do not use:
l
Bread wrappers
l
Non-polyethylene
plastic containers
l
Containers without tight lids
l
Waxed paper
l
Waxed-coated
freezer wrap
l
Thin, semi-permeable
wrap
The use of these wrappings could cause food
odor and taste transfer and drying of frozen food.
Freezing
Do not expect your freezer to quick-freeze
any
large quantity of food. Put no more unfrozen food
into the freezer than will freeze within 24 hours.
(No more than 2 to 3 pounds of food per cubic
foot of freezer space.) Leave enough space for
air to circulate around packages.
Be careful to
leave enough room at the front so the door can
close tightly.
Storage times will vary according to the quality
of the food, the type of packaging or wrap used
(air and moisture proof) and the storage tempera-
ture (which should be 0°F [-17.8”C]). For further
information about food storage times, contact
your local Cooperative
Extension Service or
check a freezer guide or reliable cookbook.

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