These Items Do Not Belong In Your Fridge. Here's Why

Do you ever feel like your fridge seems to be getting smaller and smaller? Well, it’s probably because you’re putting things in there that you probably shouldn’t. Many Americans make the mistake of putting everything they get from the grocery store into the fridge, not knowing that it will actually kill the flavor of many foods.

By removing these items from your fridge, you not only free up space, but you also improve the taste and quality of the items that should be stored at room temperature.

Here’s a list of what you shouldn’t be putting your refrigerator.

1) Baked goods

Storing baked goods will actually cause them to go stale. Counter-intuitive right? Keep food like bread and cookies outside to maintain their freshness.

2) Potatoes

Potatoes don’t like being cold. It turns their starches into sugar, which will ruin their flavor.

3) Tomatoes

Refrigerating tomatoes will actually turn them mushy and ruin their natural flavor.

4) Onions

Onions will lose all their flavor when refrigerated. Keep these guys out of the fridge for the best taste.

5) Fruits with hard seeds (Peaches, Plums, etc.)

Fruits need air and sunshine just as much as plants do! Give them some natural light to ripen so they can be as sweet and juicy as possible.

6) Whole Melons

Take note this is for whole melons, i.e. before you start cutting them. Refrigerating whole melons will cause them to lose their antioxidants, which are one of the biggest health benefits. Keep these outside of the fridge for healthy melons.

7) Apples

Keep apples on your countertop instead of the fridge to keep them crisp and flavorful.

8) Garlic

Why: The refrigerator cold will make garlic lose its flavor. Not to mention, your entire fridge will smell like garlic

9) Ground Coffee

While you should keep coffee beans cool, don’t keep them in the fridge! It will create moisture, which will turn your beans bad and cause them to lose their taste. And the last thing you need to start your day is bland coffee. Store it in a tightly-sealed container to retain flavor.

10) Hot Sauce

You know that shelf where you store all your hot sauces? You shouldn’t be doing that. The cold weakens the flavor of hot sauces, which is the whole point of them. It also changes the viscosity, which makes it more difficult to pour.

11) Honey

Storing honey in the refrigerator will make it crystalize and hard. Don’t ruin your honey by leaving it in the fridge and instead, keep it outside. It has a longer shelf life than you think.

12) Spices

Chill kills. Keeping spices in the fridge will kill their flavor, which is kinda the whole point of spices.

13) Oils

Storing oils in a fridge will cause them to harden and lose their smoothness. Note: Nut oils should be refrigerated.

14) Basil

Many people store their basil in the fridge, believing that it will help preserve their flavor. In reality, it is the exact opposite. The cold actually kills the flavor. For maximum freshness, keep your basil in water and change the water every 3 days.

15) Avocado

Is your avocado not ripening fast enough? That’s because it’s in the fridge. Putting an unripe avocado on the counter is a much more effective idea. It will ripen so much faster, but if you really want to speed up the process, then put it in a bag with a banana or apple.

16) Bread

Bread is best kept at room temperature in a sealed plastic bag. Storing bread in the fridge actually speeds up the dehydration process, making the bread go stale faster.

17) Peanut Butter

Peanut butter doesn’t need to be refrigerated at all. It can be kept in the cabinet for months without spoiling, unless it’s organic.

18) Rice

Only store rice in the fridge if it’s cooked. Dry rice can last in canisters or plastic bags for years without issue.

19) Makeup

While makeup doesn’t technically count as food, it’s often seen in many fridges. Some cosmetics are better stored in cool environments, but be sure you read the label. Most makeup is meant to be stored at room temperature.

20) Dried Beans

Never keep dried beans in the fridge as it will take all the flavor away. It can also cause the beans to start sprouting.

21) Pickles

Pickles don’t need to be refrigerated because they are in so much sodium and brine!

22) Soy Sauce

Much like pickles, soy sauce doesn’t need to be refrigerated because of the sodium content.

After you read this article, go straight to your fridge and start refrigerating the right way. Your foods (and taste buds) will thank you.

That’s all folks!

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