Sometimes we have a feeling that we know our kitchen and the appliances in it very well and use them perfectly every day. However, reality often tells us that we are underutilizing certain devices and that we could get more out of them.
One of the appliances we often make mistakes with is refrigerator, due to the current pace of society, this device has become an essential device in our homes. The problem is that not many citizens have enough time to buy fresh products every morning and prepare food every day.This is why refrigerators became Our great ally in extending life food or already cooked dishes.
However, just because it is a widely used tool today, does not mean we use the refrigerator correctly.In fact, there are several Mistakes that prevent us from enjoying food under optimal conditions. Below, we point out some of them and offer some alternatives or corrections:
Frozen is not eternal
One of the mistakes many people make is thinking that the products we freeze will last forever.Nothing could be further from the truth, food Their good condition cannot last for many years Although it lasts longer, they also have an expiration date. Their texture and flavor will suffer over time, so it’s best to carefully calculate how much we freeze so they don’t stay in the freezer for too long.
Freeze too late
Another most common mistake is Do not freeze produce as fresh as possible. Since we often buy large quantities of groceries and consider freezing them, we don’t always want to go to work when we get home and separate and package them. The more time they spend outside, even in the refrigerator, the more possessions they lose.As far as food is concerned deep freeze It’s even recommended to use an insulated bag on the way home from the store.
Freezer temperature
According to the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), it’s important to keep your refrigerator at the right temperature Should not be higher than -18℃ For most foods, the recommended refrigerator temperature is between 5 and 8°C. However, meat and fish should be kept between 1 and 4°C.
Thaw at room temperature
One of the most common mistakes is taking food out of the refrigerator so it can thaw at room temperature.this means Microbes wake up There is plenty of water and nutrients, making it the perfect breeding ground for them to grow. Any food we thaw is more susceptible to the action of these microorganisms than fresh food.
Therefore, follow Instructions set by the manufacturer On the other hand, if it is a fresh product for which we do not have these recommendations, it is better to defrost the food gradually in the refrigerator.
frozen hot food
Our fast-paced lives today can cause us to put freshly prepared dishes in the refrigerator without giving them enough time to cool down.If we develop this bad habit, we will Force the device to exert greater effort Maintain the temperature, which increases your electricity usage and makes our energy bills even more painful. Additionally, this heat source may cause frozen product to partially thaw.
refreeze food
Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition advises Do not refreeze thawed product. If it stayed outside the refrigerator for a short time and the defrosting process did not proceed, we can put it back. Another option to avoid waste is to cook the product and freeze it later.
Refrigerators don’t kill all bacteria
While the refrigerator does stop bacteria from growing, it doesn’t kill them.Unless it’s bacteria, e.g. Anisakis If they stay there long enough and the weather cooperates, yes they died. The most effective way to kill bacteria is usually heat.Therefore, it is always recommended Warm food thoroughly.
Freeze everything
The refrigerator provides us with the convenience of food such as meat or cooked food, but it is more Its use on fruits and some vegetables is controversial. Because they contain large amounts of water, during the freezing process of these foods, ice crystals are created, damaging their cells and changing their appearance. Similarly, We shouldn’t introduce drinksbecause when they turn to ice, they burst the container.
Not suitable for any container
We must remember that not all containers are recommended to be placed in the refrigerator.The most recommended ones are those Glass, approved bag or clear film. Aluminum foil is not recommended.
Another thing we have to consider is the size of these containers as they have to accommodate the size of the food and preferably be airtight without overloading or leaving them half empty.
Not all products are created equal
Finally, it’s important to note that not all the food we put in our refrigerator has the same needs. Some need more cold Moreover, fish with poor resistance, such as fish, are very sensitive and should be eaten as soon as possible.