Food Storage Tips; Fresh Food Storage; Frozen Food Storage; Fruits And Vegetables - Fisher & Paykel RX256DT7X1 Installation Instructions And User Manual

F S
OOD TORAGE

Fresh Food Storage

• The fresh food compartment of a refrigerator
should be kept between 34°- 40° F (1°- 4° C) with
an optimum temperature of 37° F (3° C). To check
the temperature, place an appliance thermometer
in a glass of water and place in the center of the
refrigerator. Check after 24 hours. If the temperature
is above 40° F (4° C) adjust the control as explained
on page 8.
• Avoid overcrowding the refrigerator shelves. This
reduces the circulation of air around the food and
results in uneven cooling.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Storage in the crisper drawers traps humidity to help
preserve the fruit and vegetable quality for longer
time periods (see page 12).
• Sort fruits and vegetables before storage and use
bruised or soft items first. Discard those showing
signs of decay.
• Always wrap odorous foods such as onions and
cabbage so the odor does not transfer to other foods.
• While vegetables need a certain amount of humidity
to remain fresh, too much humidity can shorten
storage times (especially leafy vegetables). Drain
vegetables well before storing.
• Wait to wash fresh produce until right before use.
Meat and Cheese
• Raw meat and poultry should be wrapped securely
so leakage and contamination of other foods or
surfaces does not occur.
• Occasionally mold will develop on the surface of hard
cheeses (Swiss, Cheddar, Parmesan). Cut off at least
an inch around and below the moldy area. Keep your
knife or instrument out of the mold itself. Do not try
to save individual cheese slices, 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.
T
IPS

Frozen Food Storage

• The freezer compartment of a refrigerator should
be kept at approximately 0° F (-18° C). To check
the temperature, place an appliance thermometer
between the frozen packages and check after 24
hours. If the temperature is above 0° F (-18° C),
adjust the control as described on page 8.
• A freezer operates more efficiently when it is at
least 2 ⁄
3
Packaging Foods for Freezing
• To minimize dehydration and quality deterioration
use aluminum foil, freezer wrap, freezer bags or
airtight containers. Force as much air out of the
packages as possible and be sure they are tightly
sealed. Trapped air can cause the food to dry out,
change color and develop an off-flavor (freezer burn).
• Overwrap fresh meats and poultry with suitable
freezer wrap prior to freezing.
• Do not refreeze meat that has completely thawed.
Loading the Freezer
• Avoid adding too much warm food to the freezer at
one time. This overloads the freezer, slows the rate
of freezing and can raise the temperature of frozen
foods.
• Leave space between the packages so cold air can
circulate freely, allowing food to freeze as quickly as
possible.
• Avoid storing hard-to-freeze foods such as ice cream
and orange juice on the freezer door shelves. These
foods are best stored in the freezer interior where
the temperature varies less with door openings.
Refer to the Food Storage Chart on pages 21 and 22
for approximate storage times.
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