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 ;)
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!
Sharing supplies together – why the Shared Economy is now moving into the kitchen
The concept of Shared Economy has long been more than a short-term trend – it's changing our everyday lives. More and more neighborhoods, shared apartments, and community projects are discovering how practical it is to organize groceries together and manage supplies transparently.
Why sharing supplies is becoming increasingly popular
- Save on costs: Bulk purchases become cheaper when more people participate.
- Save space: Not everyone needs their own package of rice or pasta.
- Better organization: Digital tools make it easy to see what is available.
- Experiencing community: Food brings people together – as does camping together.
From the flatshare to the neighborhood
Especially in shared apartments or families with multiple households it pays off to keep a communal stock of supplies. But neighborhood projects or small communities are also recognizing the added value: shopping, storing, and using together.
How Smantry helps
This is where Smantry comes into play:
- Community Feature: Supplies can be managed collectively.
- Transparency: Everyone can see which items are available.
- Efficiency: Duplicate purchases are avoided, leftovers are used up in time.
- Flexibility: Soon it will become even easier to manage entire communities (including new features such as categories or the option to completely delete communities).
👉 The shared economy doesn't stop with cars – it moves right into your kitchen. With Smantry sharing supplies becomes easier than ever.
At last, it's here: The categorization of articles 🎉
Over the past few months, we have collected numerous feedback from you – and the request for better organization of supplies was one of the most frequent wishes. Soon, it will be possible to sort your items into individual categories, so that you can keep track of everything even more quickly.
Why categories are so practical
- 🥦 More organization in your pantry: Instead of a long list, you can structure your products into categories such as "Vegetables", "Beverages", or "Household Goods".
- ⏱️ Faster Finding: No more long scrolling – jump straight to the right category.
- 👨👩👧👦 Improved collaboration: In communities or family households, everyone can immediately see where things belong.
- 🌍 Customization: You can create your own categories that suit your needs – whether for meal prep, stockpiling, or just your everyday life.
Your wish will become reality ✨
We know how important this feature is to you. That's why our development team has implemented categorization as a high priority. It will soon be available step by step in the app – fulfilling one of the biggest wishes of our community.
We are thrilled that we can make everyday life even easier for you with this. Stay tuned – as always, we will keep you updated on when the feature will be officially released.
👉 Do you already have ideas on how you want to structure your categories? Feel free to send us your suggestions or requests – your input might directly influence the ongoing development.