http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter The community for people interested in home and office organizing. en-US Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:28:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://unclutterer.com/discuss/search.php http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter/page/2#post-3528 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:14:58 +0000 Laetitia in Australia 3528@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Aunt Cloud - after moving several times (most recently in December) I know how you feel about eating things before moving. My challenge is not so much EDF as EDP (pantry).</p> <p>I need to do something with the almond meal I bought ages ago. The original plan was to make orange and almond cake but I want a recipe that doesn't use eggs / eggs can be substituted with "No Egg" or equivalent and for preference doesn't require boiling something like 6 whole oranges!</p> <p>The only other thing that I do with almond meal doesn't use lots; it's a big packet that won't fit in the Almond Meal container when it's opened without using lots to begin with. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter/page/2#post-3215 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:12:04 +0000 Mom25dogs 3215@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Like everyone else I have a condiment problem. Salad dressings, different hot sauces, etc. It's just my husband and I but it does seem to accumulate. About once a year I try to clean out but there is still a lot of this stuff. I try to use some plastic baskets to corral these things. It's something that can be pulled out like a drawer and you get all the salad dressings in one fell swoop. Or all the hamburger/hotdog/sandwich condiments at one time. But I'm going to have to find a little bit bigger basket since I'm overflowing and that defeats the purpose. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter/page/2#post-3017 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:49:42 +0000 lookinout 3017@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Two thoughts which may be of use. I have discovered that my vegetables live better if I don't put them in the vegetable drawer. I have them in two baskets above the drawers. So I put Cdn bags of milk in one drawer below, and sauces, condiments etc in the other drawer. And the drawer which is labeled 'Meat' is used for cheese in my house.<br /> For things that will expire, use a marker and rewrite the date where you will see it. In fact, date pretty well everything in the fridge. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter/page/2#post-3005 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:40:19 +0000 Aunt Cloud 3005@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Exactly a year ago, the Washington Post had an Eating Down the Fridge challenge: basically, no grocery shopping for a week, planning menus around the mystery items, creative pickles and eggplant-cilantro marmalade jars that were lurking in the back of the fridge and pantry.</p> <p>***Who is up for another EDF challenge?***</p> <p>The (slightly modified) rules:<br /> For one week, only buy perishables (milk, eggs, bread, fruit and veggies).<br /> Make a list of archeological stuff in your fridge and pantry. If it expired, buh-bye. If not, plan a meal around it.</p> <p>I'm moving in less than 3 weeks so I've been trying to EDF for a while. Tapioca pudding is actually being cooked as these words are being written, to finish up a bag of pearl tapioca that came into the house for my first, last and only attempt to make bubble tea (some dishes are better left to the professionals).</p> <p>My challenge items for this week include:<br /> Hot pepper jelly - 1/2 jar<br /> Sauerkraut - about 2 cups<br /> Pickles (of course)<br /> Creamed coconut (it looks like a bar of soap - used it for a very complicated Indian dish I cooked from scratch and would like to make again - someday!)<br /> Red lentils<br /> Coconut milk - about 2/3 cup<br /> Canned mushrooms - 3 tins<br /> Pumpkin puree<br /> Molasses<br /> Spring roll wrappers</p> <p>Today's cooking:<br /> Red lentils, coconut milk and carrots from the bottom of the veggie drawer will become soup (with some ginger, cumin and curry).<br /> Mushrooms will be sauteed with onions, mixed with eggs, cottage cheese and some sour cream and baked until nice and golden, a perfect light dinner. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter/page/2#post-2973 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:22:09 +0000 PKitty 2973@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Yes adorita, I think you are right. I made a list of all the condiments I retained and have been meal planning around them. It is working beautifully. I am good at setting things like this up - not so good at sticking to them so that will be the test. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter/page/2#post-2964 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:21:41 +0000 adorita 2964@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I think your problem isn't organizing, but purging. I have a sharpie magnet to my fridge in which I put the date of purchase as they come in. That way, I can tell if I really use something or not. If you haven't used a condiment over a year, throw it out.</p> <p>After you have decided what to keep. I recommend buying some trays or baskets. It is so hard to reach for stuff at the back of the fridge that you might just forget what condiments you have! I use the Peak Freans cookie trays, holds 6 jars each. I put all the curries in one, all the Japanese sauces in one, all the hot dog/burger condiments in one, all the jams &amp; peanut butter in one... When I cook, I pull out the whole tray depending on the theme. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter/page/2#post-2889 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:21:30 +0000 Mid America Mom 2889@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>LOL. It is a battle!</p> <p>I have put my foot down and refused to have more than x amount of whatever. Use it up THEN open more and even gone as far as won't buy another until gone. </p> <p>I also found with trial and error what works for our family. TWO salad dressings but that is better than the 4 we used to have. One jam and peanut butter are fine. Mustard is something we like variety on occasion. For that I buy the large size for our standard and then the smallest I can of the not so used one. </p> <p>Buying smaller does work. I know in some ways you pay more for the smaller size but then if it takes precious space and you end up throwing away some of it- it is worth it. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter/page/2#post-2818 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:11:27 +0000 PKitty 2818@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Wow so massive fridge de-cluttering happened and now I have been using up what is left. It's great! I am going to look for some nice clear food storage items today so that we can SEE what is leftover and possibly eat it instead of allowing it to start a colony in the fridge.</p> <p>Thanks for all the great ideas and support. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2811 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:10:38 +0000 klutzgrrl 2811@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>regarding the "I just know it will immediately start accumulating again" - that is SO key to so much uncluttering! Not bringing it in, in the first place!!!</p> <p>I've pretty much banned myself from op shops (thrift stores) and really try to think twice before I buy anything at all.</p> <p>With groceries - plan meals and shop with a list. I use some premixed spices now rather than attempting to make 50 varieties of curry from scratch, and only keep one type of salad dressing, mustard, tomato sauce and soy sauce and that's about it. Use up one, then buy something different next time. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2803 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:05:09 +0000 Laetitia in Australia 2803@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>badkitti - I wonder if the tiny brown ants of Tanzania are the same species as the ones of north Queensland. We moved to Mackay at the beginning of 2007 and in October of that year we visited Townsville.</p> <p>There was info in the booklet of the hotel room that basically amounted to:<br /> "There are little brown ants in my room!"<br /> "Welcome to north Queensland."</p> <p>It went on to say, "Please don't feed the ants; keep your food in the fridge in your room."</p> <p>We hadn't seen these little ants in our house in Mackay at that stage but a few months later, in they came. I assume that the pest control chemicals had worn off. We were able to discourage the black ants with little baits but the little brown ants just walked right through the baits and kept on going. Thumping the bench to scare them away also didn't work.</p> <p>In the end we just accepted them as part of life in north Queensland and put open jars of things in the fridge instead of the cupboard. It was still annoying when they would crawl all over you and then bite you because they decided you were edible! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2707 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 07:23:36 +0000 bandicoot 2707@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>well i cleaned that fridge out and it looks so nice in there now.<br /> i've got room for a big bag of juicing carrots now.<br /> nom nom nom. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2706 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:07:04 +0000 Kaz in Oz 2706@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>We're a family of four with a fairly large fridge, so we have plenty of space for condiments.<br /> Having said that, we only have the top shelf with sandwich spreads and jams and sauces organised in shelf baskets to make meals easier, and 2 door shelves worth of jars of ginger, garlic, curry pastes and the like, that have reasonable shelf life.<br /> Our fridge gets a complete empty and clean out every 4 weeks just before I do a major grocery shop, but I manage to keep on top of expiry dates by only buying stuff that we actually use and not bothering to buy big jars if I know the recipe only calls for a small amount. My sister and I often swap jars of stuff that we've tried out and not liked, so that can be an options too. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2699 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:36:53 +0000 bandicoot 2699@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>we live in the wet tropics of far north queensland. which equals bugs and mould and a shelf life of two minutes.<br /> even so, i try and keep the fridge stuff to a minimum.</p> <p>one way that works for us is to just have ONE kind of jam on the go at any one time.<br /> open a jar, keep it in the fridge and when it has gone, open another.<br /> same with sauces and stuff.</p> <p>this thread has inspired me to go clean out my fridge anyway.<br /> i know there are some ollllldddddd choko pickles lurking in the back and NOBODY is going to EVER eat them.<br /> if i toss them then i can use the jar for the sweet chilli sauce i made last night! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2625 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:17:25 +0000 Claycat 2625@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>LOL!</p> <p>What a neat school! Thanks for the link! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2623 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:26:17 +0000 badkitti 2623@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I lived in Tanzania - where I first read those No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Books. I worked here (always willing to promte the charity so no apologies for the link: <a href="http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz" rel="nofollow">http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz</a>).</p> <p>The tiny brown ants that ate my food were unappetaising but harmless - outside were the trails of black ants with biting soldiers. They used to seek me out - I can say "I have ants in my pants" in swahili, neede when you run into the ladies and start stripping off your clothes in front of the local cleaners! ha ha ha </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2621 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:13:57 +0000 Claycat 2621@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I was just reading about the ants in Alexander McCall Smith's No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. (I love those books!) </p> <p>What country did you live in, badkitti? </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2620 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:09:23 +0000 badkitti 2620@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Oh yes , ants! I lived in East Africa for a while and we would have to refridgerate a lot of extra stuff because ants love trailing in and seeing what you've got. Dry cat biscuits seemed to be a particualrly good ant food. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2615 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:47:52 +0000 Mrs.Mack 2615@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Consider which condiments (or anything else in your fridge/freezer) that you don't need carefully. Toss those you know you rarely/never use. Then consider which really need to stay in your fridge. If you have more cupboard or drawer space than fridge space, perhaps you can keep them there instead (many sauces don't need to be refrigerated, even though it says to sometimes on the bottle... try Googling it).</p> <p>Plan your meals. That way you won't have to get a bottle of something you only use once. Planning ahead will allow you to either avoid those recipes or give you time to find appropriate substitutions.</p> <p>One day a week, go through your fridge and use up leftovers and toss mystery packages that have spoiled.</p> <p>Keep a backwards grocery list on your fridge door, where you write down what you DO have and when they expire. This will remind you to use things before it's too late (stuff in the back or bottom tend to be forgotten), and will keep your electricity bill down a bit since you won't be standing with the door open trying to decide what you want. Also, having this list will keep you from buying duplicates (and show you at a glance what's been crossed off so you need to pick up).</p> <p>Repackage. Some bottles and containers are really bulky. Buy a bunch of bottles/containers that will streamline things, label them, and fill. Perfect examples are ketchup and mustard. They usually are pretty fat, but those "<a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/foodPrep/condiments?productId=10025902">picnic bottles</a>" are pretty slim and you could keep them in that. Meat can be put in Ziploc bags. All sandwich ingredients like cheese, deli meats, pickles, etc. can be put in a shoe box (or a store-bought container) to corral them. This keeps them all together for convenience, but also keeps them from wasting space (since they're all small, putting each on a flat surface creates unusable dead space above them).</p> <p>Some <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/cabinetOrganizers/upperCabinets?viewAll=true">cupboard storage units</a> might be useful too, depending on your fridge.</p> <p>Think of the fridge like a closet when organizing, and you'll have it in great shape in no time. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2613 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:24:47 +0000 Laetitia in Australia 2613@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>We've just returned to south-east Queensland after spending three years in the tropical north. We had to have so much more stuff in the fridge there than we do now - spreads, garlic, assorted fruit &amp; veg - for two main reasons: mould and ants. We got to the point of seriously considering buying a new fridge because a week's worth of shopping had so much difficulty fitting in (we try to avoid shopping multiple times a week).</p> <p>Two things helped:<br /> Menu planning - means that we are less likely to buy things that we aren't going to use that week and will hang around taking up valuable space;<br /> Containers - we're fans of Tupperware but use whatever is good for you. Containers, particularly square shaped ones, help you "see" what is in your fridge (so long as you don't stash things too deep) and allow you to place some things on top of others that you otherwise couldn't do (e.g. full milk cartons on their side on top of ripe fruit/veg).</p> <p>Do do a clean out of your fridge - you'll see what things are past their "best before" dates and should be tossed and this will also give you a better idea of whether you actually use that product. Then only buy something when you need it, not because it's on special and you might want to eat that "one day". I'm currently trying to not buy any snacks until we've used up the ones we already have. :-) </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/fridge-clutter#post-2605 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:08:19 +0000 AJ 2605@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Thanks Nellieb, a very useful site. </p>