Optimizing the refrigerator - keeping things organized in the fridge is not that difficult
Miriam Weitz
July 7, 2023
Before organizing, it's time to clean up first
Before tidying up and organizing, a thorough cleaning is called for. First, everything must be taken out - that means the food and any drawers and shelves that can be removed. Then, the refrigerator should be disconnected from the power supply. The deep cleaning can also be combined with defrosting - something many people like to procrastinate (myself included). Afterwards, all parts should be thoroughly washed. Instead of harsh chemicals, you can use vinegar water. Simply mix it in a 1:2 ratio. It works just as well but is less harmful to the environment. Don't forget the handles and the egg compartment! You should also thoroughly clean the outside of the refrigerator. Not only does it prevent the fridge from cooling against a layer of dirt, but a completely clean refrigerator also looks much better.
What else belongs to the basic cleaning of the refrigerator
Not only should the refrigerator be thoroughly cleaned. One can also take the opportunity to clean tubes and lids. A good example is the ketchup bottle, where the rim and the lid often get crusty - or the maple syrup bottle. The 'big clean' can be extended to such items - and it immediately looks much better in the refrigerator.
The crisper - the Bermuda Triangle for fruits and vegetables
In the vegetable compartment of the fridge (that is, in the bottom drawer), fruits and vegetables tend to 'disappear' only to reappear months later, shriveled and moldy (by the way, I'm no exception). Simply because they were out of sight, out of mind. In the Speisekammer.App, you can assign specific storage locations to food items. This helps prevent forgetting them.
Now it's time to organize
To get an overview, you should first gather all the food items that were in the refrigerator. If you like, you can also sort these into food groups, for example, cream with milk, etc. Leftover food should be transferred into space-saving containers. Drinks can be stored in a bottle holder. This prevents bottles from rolling around or the vegetable compartment from being overrun by beverages. To make optimal use of the space in the fridge, square containers are particularly suitable, who would have thought?
The top compartment
Here it is the 'warmest' in the refrigerator. The temperature in the upper fridge compartment is between 8 degrees and 10 degrees. This is where food that doesn't need to be cooled as much should go. These include, for example, butter, jam, eggs, sausage, cheese, and leftovers.
The middle compartment
There, temperatures are around five degrees. This is where dairy products such as yogurt, cream, and curd belong. If there's no more space in the top compartment, you can also store sausage and cheese there. To make optimal use of the storage space, you should use square storage containers. You can, of course, label these as well. Nowadays, there are many manufacturers that offer organizers and other products to keep your refrigerator tidy. Of course, it's more sustainable to first use what you already have at home.
The bottom compartment
Here it is coldest at around 3 degrees Celsius. For example, meat and fish belong in the lower refrigerator compartment. So, easily perishable food items.
The vegetable compartment
As the name suggests, the vegetable compartment is for fruits and vegetables. The temperatures there are relatively mild at 9 degrees Celsius. Those who do not eat fruits and vegetables can, of course, use the compartment for other foods or beverages.
The refrigerator door
The refrigerator door is particularly suitable for storing beverages or other containers that are rather tall (and can also easily disappear into the depths). This includes, for example, yogurt cups, bottles of sauces, ketchup, and/or mayonnaise. Of course, butter and eggs can also be stored in the corresponding compartments.
These foods do NOT belong in the refrigerator - although they often end up there
There are certain foods that should not actually be stored in the refrigerator. These include, for example, cucumbers, bell peppers, or avocados. Similarly, tomatoes or potatoes should not be kept in the fridge. Fresh eggs also do not necessarily need to be stored in a cool place. As a rule, it is sufficient to store them in the refrigerator after a few days.
In our Speisekammer.App you can assign the refrigerator as a storage location for the corresponding food items. This should prevent any unpleasant surprises, such as yogurt that has grown moldy ;)
More clarity when shopping: How Open Food Facts and the Smantry app make nutrition transparent
Many foods look healthy at first glance – but what's really inside them? Are the nutritional values balanced? How processed is a product? And what impact does it have on our environment?
This is exactly where the Smantry-App comes in: It uses the globally open database Open Food Facts, to give you immediate clarity when scanning your items. But what's actually behind the colorful labels like Nutri-Score, NOVA or Eco-Score, that you encounter in the app?
Let's take a closer look at the background.
Open Food Facts: From the Idea to a Global Database
The journey began in 2012 with the founding of Open Food Facts – a non-profit organization that collects, analyzes, and makes food information freely accessible worldwide. The goal from the beginning was to provide consumers with scientifically substantiated information.
What started as a small project has now become a global platform with millions of products. And it is precisely this data that the Smantry-App uses to give you a clear overview directly on your smartphone.
An overview of the most important scores
1. Nutri-Score – how healthy is my product?
Since 2016, the Nutri-Score has been legally established in France – and it has quickly spread throughout Europe.
- A (green) means: very balanced.
- E (red) means: unbalanced, enjoy in moderation.
The rating is based on calories, sugar, salt, saturated fats – but also on positive factors such as fiber, protein, and the proportion of vegetables.
👉 So in the Smantry app, you can see at a glance whether a food item fits into your everyday life – or perhaps should be on the table less often.
2. NOVA-Score – how processed is it?
Not only the ingredients, but also the degree of processing plays a significant role for health. This is exactly what the NOVA-Score (integrated into Open Food Facts since 2018) shows you:
- 1 = unprocessed or minimally processed (e.g., fresh fruit, plain yogurt)
- 2 = ingredients such as vegetable oils, sugar, flour
- 3 = processed foods (e.g., bread, cheese, canned goods)
- 4 = highly processed products ("Ultra-Processed Food"), often with additives, flavors, and industrial processes
👉 With the Smantry app, you can instantly tell if a product is still 'close to nature' – or if it falls into the category of being highly processed.
3. Eco-Score (soon to be Green-Score) – how sustainable is my shopping?
Since 2019, Open Food Facts also includes an environmental assessment: the Eco-Score. It takes into account, among other things:
- CO₂ emissions from production and transportation,
- Packaging and recyclability,
- Origin and seasonal factors.
The rating is – similar to the Nutri-Score – from A (very eco-friendly) to E (less sustainable).
By 2025, this will become the Green-Score, which will take into account even more detailed data and thus provide you with even better guidance for sustainable consumption.
👉 For you in the Smantry app, this means: You can see not only whether a food is healthy for you, but also whether it is good for our planet.
What this means for you as a Smantry user
Currently, you can scan your products in the Smantry-App and view many details. The scores themselves are not yet integrated – but the integration is planned.
This means: Soon you will be able to see not only the nutritional values of a product but also how healthy, processed, or sustainable it is – all directly in your app.
Conclusion: Your Smart Nutrition Compass
The colorful labels are much more than pretty symbols. They are your quick compass in everyday life – whether you want to shop with health consciousness, reduce highly processed products, or pay attention to the environment.
With the Smantry-App you already have strong support for more transparency while shopping. And with the planned integration of the scores, it will become even more valuable – your smart nutritional compass for the future.
Cooking with the Future: Augmented Reality and Smart Interfaces for Your Recipes
That’s exactly what augmented reality (AR) and smart interfaces bring to the table. They project digital information where you need it most: into your cooking environment. This makes it easier to stay organized, cook more efficiently, and even reduce waste – because less stress in the kitchen often means fewer forgotten or spoiled ingredients.
And here’s where Smantry comes in. The app already helps you keep track of your pantry, avoid food waste, and stay in control of your kitchen. With upcoming features like leftover-based recipe suggestions, you’re already stepping into the smart kitchen future today.
👉 Bottom line: The kitchen of tomorrow is here – and it’s efficient, sustainable, and surprisingly fun.
The best kitchen tools to turn leftovers into delicious dishes 🍲✨
Hand on heart: Each of us has them – those little leftovers in the fridge or pantry that somehow never get properly planned for. But it's exactly these remnants that can often be turned into the most creative and delicious dishes! All you need are a few clever kitchen tools that make the work easier and get the best out of your ingredients.
Here are our favorites:
🥣 1. The powerful blender
Smoothies, soups, dips – a good blender transforms leftover vegetables, fruit, or even bread into a new dish in seconds. Perfect when bananas are a bit brown or the vegetables no longer look crisp.
🔪 2. A sharp chef's knife
Sounds simple, but a really good knife is worth its weight in gold. It allows you to cut vegetable and meat scraps precisely and quickly. Moreover, cooking is just more fun when you have the right tools.
🍳 3. A cast iron skillet
The all-rounder in the kitchen: fried potatoes made from leftover boiled potatoes, frittatas with yesterday's vegetables, or crispy bread cubes from stale bread – everything tastes twice as good in a cast-iron skillet.
🥕 4. Vegetable Peeler & Grater
A modest tool with a big impact: grate carrot leftovers, turn zucchini into noodles, or finely shred cheese remnants. With a peeler and grater, you bring variety to your leftover cooking.
🥡 5. Storage Containers & Screw-top Jars
Without proper storage, nothing works. You can keep leftovers fresh, transport them, or even prepare them for the next meal prepping. Tip: Jars are also great for serving small amounts in style.
🌱 6. Kitchen Scale
It's practical to know exactly how much is left over, especially with leftovers. This way, you can adjust recipes and avoid waste.
🥄 7. Personal Blender
The little brother of the blender – perfect for soups or sauces right in the pot. When only a small amount needs to be processed, it's super convenient.
How Smantry additionally helps you 📲
With the Smantry App you can not only keep an eye on your supplies, but soon you'll also be able to discover recipes for your leftovers. This way, you'll immediately know which tool to take out of the cupboard to save your food and create something new.
👉 Because good tools and the right app are the perfect combo to combat food waste.
New laws on food waste in Spain
Spain has recently passed a groundbreaking law to combat food waste. This law requires all actors in the food chain, from producers to retailers, to implement specific plans to prevent food loss.
Key provisions of the law:
Obligation to donate surplus food: Supermarkets with a floor space of more than 1,300 square meters are now required to form partnerships with non-profit organizations to donate surplus food that is still fit for consumption. These donations are exempt from value-added tax.
Offer of packaging for leftover food: Restaurants and bars are required to provide their guests with free, reusable or recyclable packaging so that they can take home uneaten food. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of food waste and encourage them to take leftovers with them.
Promotion of the sale of products with approaching expiration dates: Retailers should offer products that are nearing their expiration date or have aesthetic defects at reduced prices to encourage their sale and reduce waste.
Hierarchy of priorities for dealing with surplus food: The law establishes an order for handling surplus food. Priority is given to human consumption through donations. If this is not possible, the food should be used for the production of processed products. The last options include using it as animal feed or for energy generation.
Sanctions for violations:
Companies that violate the provisions of the law can expect fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros.
Critique and Outlook:
While the law is considered an important step in the fight against food waste in Europe, there is also criticism. Some voices argue that the strict framework of sanctions could disproportionately burden companies and that the law does not sufficiently address the role of consumers, who are responsible for a significant portion of food waste.
Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant advancement in reducing food waste and promoting a more sustainable awareness in society.
Join in and reduce food waste! 🌱📲
Spain's new law demonstrates: Sustainability starts in the pantry! With the Speisekammer App you can keep track of your groceries, plan meals efficiently, and avoid unnecessary waste.
👉 Download the app now and join the movement for less waste and more conscious consumption! 💚 Try it now!