Adhesive tape
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tesa Masking tape CLASSIC
50 mm
I need to regain control of my fridge!
15.8.2024
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Another mouldy lemon, more lumpy milk... Clearly, I’ve lost control over my refrigerator. Here’s my attempt to get it back.
Let me get one thing straight: this is a highly theoretical approach to keeping a fridge organised. I’ve yet to try out the methods listed here.
This guide was inspired by the latest episode of the Swiss-German podcast «Uftischt», in which Judith and I each named four foods that keep going off in our fridges. Be warned, it’s not for the faint-eared.
The full episode of the Swiss-German podcast is available here, where you can also subscribe to us.
Sure, I’ve got my vegetable drawer totally under control. Well... that’s until I don’t. I’m talking open packs of smelly cheese and yoghurts with bloated lids. And guess what? I ignore it all and put even more food in the refrigerator. Regularly checking best-before dates isn’t something that comes naturally to me. So I came up with three possible ways to get a grip on those wretched best-before dates. Maybe they’ll work for you, too?
Apps
«There’s an app for that, duh,» I hear you say. Kitchenpal. Supercook. Cooklist. Speisekammer (in German). They all offer roughly the same features, are free of charge for the basic function or during a trial period, after which annual costs are due. Basically, you scan the barcode of your food (or laboriously type it in) and add the best-before date (BBD). The app then warns you before the best-before date is reached and even suggests recipes that contain other foods from your cupboard. I already know that the apps would probably work for a few weeks, but then I’d forget about them again.
FIFO
A true classic in IT and warehouse management: first in, first out. Whatever’s been in the refrigerator the longest should be used first. Logistically, this is tricky, as you have to put the new food behind the old food. But you only need discipline when you’re putting things away. To make things easier, try writing the purchase date on the products using masking tape and a pen. This will additionally remind you to use the oldest foods first. In any case, it’s worth taking a look in the fridge before you go shopping or, even better, before you plan your menu. As I’m writing these words, I’m not convinced I’ll get to grips with this.
Traffic light
The clearest but most complex method is probably the traffic light one. Three containers, one green, one yellow and one red, will help you keep the fridge tidy. The green one’s for food that’s fresh and far away from its best-before date. The yellow box is for food that’s close to its best-before date and the red box for food that’s past it. Check the best-before dates briefly before putting anything back in the fridge. The drawback is that you have zero overview of which food is where. For example, the mayonnaise might be in the green box, while your ketchup is already in the red box. The advantage of this method is that you don’t need to label anything and you can see at a glance what you urgently need to use up. The containers force you to put everything away properly... or, in my case, until I stop giving a toss again and chuck the mayo I just bought into the red box because I’m in a rush.
How do you organise your refrigerator? Do you do this naturally or do you use a different technique? Let me know in the comments!
Simon Balissat
Teamleader Editorial
Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.
Food
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