Fridge Group Concepts, Based on Severe Eats Staffers

As a employees of people that grocery store and prepare dinner greater than most—and make the identical recipe time and again till it’s significantly good—we use our fridges loads.

So, we went forward and compiled an inventory of our staffer’s favourite fridge group concepts—starting from the very sensible (labels to maintain monitor of stuff!) to the slightly-silly-but-still-useful (a baking soda penguin!). 

Tape for Conserving Observe

I am unable to say it sufficient: label all the things. Taking a minute to jot down the food merchandise and date on a bit of tape and slap the label on a container has massively helped me reduce down on is-this-still-good guesswork. Plus, the act of writing a label helps me mentally manage what’s in my fridge. Blue painter’s tape is nice, however I additionally like this freezer tape for its stickiness. — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, affiliate commerce editorial director

FIFO: First In, First Out. I lived by this motto once I labored in skilled kitchens and needed to manage big walk-in fridges and freezers, and I depend on this (on a a lot smaller scale) at dwelling by rotating meals so I’m all the time utilizing the “oldest” gadgets first, and labeling dates on all the things. I depend on freezer tape and markers to maintain monitor of what I ought to deplete first from my fridge or freezer. — Leah Colins, senior culinary editor

I hold a weighted tape dispenser and sharpie on my kitchen counter for simple labeling. Like Riddley, I simply have to label the issues in my fridge—in any other case I lose monitor of what is in my fridge and what must be eaten pronto! — Genevieve Yam, culinary editor

Versatile Vessels You’ll Discover in Skilled Kitchens

Deli containers are the darling of eating places in all places, however they make the bounce to the house kitchen splendidly. My fridge is not what I would name organized, however these easy containers make it simpler for me to a minimum of try and hold issues so as. They stack simply, they’re low-cost, they usually are available in a wide range of sizes (and the lids are common, so no extra scrabbling for one which’ll match). — Grace Kelly, commerce editor

I sat right here considering a enjoyable and unique reply to this query after which noticed that Miss Grace Kelly had already nailed it. We’re packed to the brim with delis over right here and could be a disorganized, squished mess with out them. Plus, they’re an ideal “oops, I neglect my emotional assist water bottle within the automotive/on the workplace/within the child’s room whereas she’s napping” repair. A filled-to-the-brim deli is an ideal approach to keep hydrated. — Tess Koman, govt editorial director

Reusable Wraps That Rock

I generally nonetheless use plastic wrap when it is really wanted, however in more moderen years I’ve switched to reusable beeswax meals wrappers. They work simply wonderful for overlaying up leftovers or sealing any container that lacks its personal lid, and take away an in any other case heavy dependence on single-use plastics. — Daniel Gritzer, editorial director

Stuff for Sorting Stuff

Would I name my fridge organized? No, however these organizers hold it from descending into full and whole chaos. They assist me keep in mind to position cans, condiments, cheese, herbs, and small produce of their place. The egg tray permits me to see what number of eggs I’ve left and guarantee I all the time have sufficient eggs to make brunch on Sunday. — Kelli Solomon, senior social media editor

An Arguably Cute Deoderizer 

I’ve lengthy saved a container of open baking soda in my fridge to assist mitigate odors. A few years in the past, I purchased this penguin that holds baking soda in its stomach as a substitute. It is totally pointless, however I feel it is lovely (its title is Chill Invoice). Plus, it takes up much less area than a cardboard field. — Riddley

Luggage for…Bagging Issues

I retailer baggage of flour in my freezer to maintain it recent for months. Sealing them in thick plastic baggage retains out mysterious smells (gross!). — Rochelle Bilow, commerce editor

Reusable Luggage for…Bagging Issues

There is a theme to my suggestions they usually all focus on lowering plastic use within the kitchen, and specifically single-use plastics. I’ve come to depend on reusable zipper-lock baggage because of my small assortment of thinner plastic and silicone fashions. They’ve allowed my household to pack faculty lunches for months on finish with out resorting to disposable plastic, and are simply as useful for shoving issues within the fridge. Our use is so heavy that I am assured we have greater than made up (in each price and total plastic consumption) for what we’d have used with disposable plastic sandwich and zipper-lock baggage. — Daniel

Helpful, Absorbent Kitchen Towels

A couple of years in the past, I began lining my crisper drawer with a cotton towel and I have been doing it since. It absorbs further moisture and retains my produce from wilting too shortly. After a few weeks, if there’s any built-up particles (stray broccoli florets, torn kale leaves, and so forth.), I simply swap out the outdated towel for a brand new one. I get to wash my produce drawer much less and my greens keep crisp for longer. It is a win-win! — An Uong, commerce author

Containers for Meal Prep

My fridge is a little bit of a catastrophe space, however one factor I’ve discovered very useful is having loads of glass meals storage containers available. I notably like these rectangular Pyrex ones, that are simple to stack. I make massive batches of quinoa, rice, and roasted veggies and unfold them out in these in order that they cool shortly, and stack them within the fridge to make use of all through the week in lunch salads and numerous dinners. — Megan O. Steintrager, affiliate editorial director

And One thing for Enjoyable

Do I *want* a set of spice-themed magnets for my fridge door? Clearly sure. The sumac is my favourite. — Rochelle

Why We’re the Consultants