Best Practices for Organizing Your Fridge for Optimal Performance

Best Practices for Organizing Your Fridge for Optimal Performance

Written for PRS Appliances

A well-organized refrigerator isn’t just about neatness—it’s about maximizing freshness, improving energy efficiency, and keeping your food safe. Whether you’ve just purchased a new fridge from PRS Appliances or want to get more out of the one you have, these tips will help you optimize your refrigerator’s performance.

1. Know the Zones of Your Fridge

Different parts of your refrigerator have slightly different temperatures. Here’s how to use them to your advantage:

  • Top Shelf: Ideal for drinks, leftovers, and ready-to-eat foods.

  • Middle Shelves: Best for dairy like milk, yogurt, and cheese.

  • Lower Shelves: The coldest area—perfect for raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Store these in containers to prevent leaks.

  • Crisper Drawers: Designed to manage humidity. Use the high-humidity drawer for leafy greens and the low-humidity drawer for fruits.

  • Fridge Door: Warmest part—store condiments, juices, and less perishable items here.

2. Label and Date Everything

Use simple labels with purchase or prep dates to track how long items have been in the fridge. This helps reduce food waste and keeps spoiled items from affecting others.

3. Don’t Overcrowd

Air circulation is key for maintaining consistent temperatures. Avoid stuffing your fridge—leave space around items, especially in front of vents.

4. Use Clear Storage Bins

Grouping similar items into clear bins (snacks, deli meats, condiments) helps you locate things faster and maintain order.

5. Adjust the Shelves

Modern refrigerators come with adjustable shelves. Customize the interior to suit your needs, like making room for taller items or sectioning off leftovers.

6. Clean Spills Immediately

Spills can lead to mold and bacteria growth. Wipe them up as soon as they happen to keep your fridge sanitary and smelling fresh.

7. Keep an Eye on Temperature

Your fridge should stay between 37°F and 40°F, and your freezer at 0°F. Use an appliance thermometer to verify internal temperatures.

8. Use the First-In, First-Out Rule

Rotate older items to the front and place newly purchased foods in the back. This reduces spoilage and saves money.

9. Don't Store Certain Foods in the Fridge

Some foods lose flavor or texture in cold temps. Avoid refrigerating:

  • Tomatoes

  • Onions

  • Garlic

  • Potatoes

  • Bread

10. Keep the Coils Clean

While not about internal organization, cleaning your fridge’s condenser coils (typically at the back or underneath) helps it run efficiently—saving energy and extending its lifespan.

Final Tip:

If your fridge isn’t performing like it used to, it could be due to a worn-out gasket, sensor, or fan. PRS Appliances offers second channel and scratch-and-dent refrigerators that are thoroughly inspected—and if you need a replacement part, our partner PRS Parts Inc. can help!

Visit PRS Appliances at 540 Lagoon Dr. for top-quality refrigerators and expert guidance on keeping them running at peak performance.

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