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Using the refrigerator efficiently
Food which is not suitable for
storing in the refrigerator
Not all food is suitable for storing in a
refrigerator at temperatures below 5 °C,
as some food does not tolerate cold
temperatures. Cucumbers, for example,
become glassy, aubergines bitter and
potatoes sweet. Tomatoes and oranges
loose their aroma, and the peel on
citrus fruits hardens.
Food which does not tolerate cold
temperatures includes:
– Pineapple, avocado, bananas,
pomegranate, mango, melon,
papaya, passion fruit,
citrus fruit (such as lemons, oranges,
mandarins, grapefruit),
– Fruit which is not yet ripe,
– Aubergines/egg plant, cucumber,
potatoes, peppers/capiscum,
tomatoes, courgettes/zucchini,
– Some hard cheeses, e.g. Parmesan.
When shopping for food
The freshness of food when first placed
in the appliance is an important factor in
determining how long it stays fresh.
Time out of the refrigerator, e.g. during
transportation, should be kept to a
minimum. For example, do not allow
food to stay in a hot car for too long.
Once food has started to deteriorate,
this process cannot be reversed. As little
as two hours outside the refrigerator can
cause food to start deteriorating.
20
Storing food correctly
Store food covered or packaged. This
will prevent food smells from affecting
other food, food from drying out, and
also any cross-contamination of
bacteria. The growth of bacteria, such
as salmonella, can be avoided by
setting the correct temperature and
maintaining good standards of hygiene.
Fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetables may be stored
loose in the vegetable containers.
However, please bear in mind that not
all types of fruit and vegetables are
suitable for storing in the same
container. Aromas and flavours can
transfer from one type of food to
another (e.g. carrots absorb the smell
and flavour of onions very easily). Some
food also gives off a natural gas
(ethylene) which speeds up the rate at
which other food perishes. Some fruit
and vegetables react strongly to this
gas and should not be stored together.
Examples of fruit and vegetables
which produce a large amount of this
natural gas are:
Apples, apricots, pears, nectarines,
peaches, plums, avocados, figs,
blueberries, melons and beans.
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