When considering the best places in the home to store food, it is a good idea to take a look at all the available options-especially when space is limited.
The space under the sink is often idle and you could be wondering whether it is an ideal spot.
So, Can You Store Food Under the Kitchen Sink?
NEVER DO THIS. The spot under the sink usually has unstable temperatures that can spoil your food. Also, the sink is that place where germs, chemicals, and cleaners often touch. This mostly likely will negatively affect the quality of your food. Consequently, your health may be adversely affected by poisoned food.
Five Reasons Why Under the Sink Should Be “Food Free”
1. Temperatures Keep Fluctuating Under the Sink
Food should be stored in a cool and dry environment with controlled temperatures.
This is not the case under the sink since temperatures keep fluctuating here.
Water in the ventilation systems and pipes under the sink causes this fluctuation. The area under the sink is mostly wet making it unsafe for storing food.
2. Sink Cabinets Could Flood Anytime
If you store your food under the sink, it can get sprayed with water making it contaminated and unfit for eating.
So, make sure that anything that cannot survive unprecedented flooding is not stored under the sink. Food is a priority.
3. It Offers Ideal Conditions for Germs to Grow
Germs grow in humid conditions with fluctuating temperatures.
The space under the sink provides all these conditions for germs to develop.
If there were inadvertent germs in the food, putting it under the sink is much like culturing them.
They would multiply at crazy rates. Undoubtedly, such food becomes unsafe for eating.
4. There Is Every Chance You Can Forget Food Stored Under the Sink
Food stored under the sink is usually hidden from your view, which increases the chances that you’ll forget about it, resulting in spoiled food.
5. There Is a Risk of Contaminating the Food with Chemicals
Gross contamination of food by chemicals can happen.
Some people store chemicals under the sink.
Cleaning agents are usually posing a lot of danger to food if stored under the sink.
The Eight Best Places to Store Food Safely in The Home
Now that you cannot store food under the sink, which are the best places to store it?
Different homes have different designs. Choosing a spot to store your food demands a lot of creativity.
You need to tour your entire house and choose a cool, dry storage place for your food.
Such a place should not be an area near chemicals or other stuff that could potentially compromise the safety of your food.
Here are 8 best alternatives for storing food in your home that might work pretty well:
1. Shelves
Your shelves can be an ideal place to store food in the home.
Temperatures here are often cool.
Besides, the shelves are dry making it a safe place to store food without the fear of it getting spoilt.
2. Basement
If you have a basement section in your home, you can create a storage spot for food down there.
The basement is usually a cool and dry space making it a good place to store any kind of food.
3. The Pantry
A well-maintained pantry offers appropriate food storage conditions.
4. Closets
Much like shelves, closets are ideal food storage places. Get everything organized and make sure that no contaminating agent is brought near the food.
5. Under The Bed
Plenty of people cannot even imagine that storing food under the bed can be a pretty nice idea.
Well, the space under the bed is a cool and dry spot that is equally good for food storage.
6. Unused Dresser
Do you have an unused and idle dresser in your home? Why not consider having your food stored in it in the meantime.
It would not harm. It is a good site to store food without the risk of it getting contaminated or spoilt.
7. Cold-Storage Room
A designated cold storage room can also be a nice idea if you have one.
Such a room is usually very properly ventilated by vents and a couple of air-conditioned units to keep it cool.
8. The Fridge and Freezers
Refrigerators and freezers are the most dedicated storage places for food.
They are designed for that particular purpose.
Here, there is zero risk of food getting spoiled unless there is a power issue.
They are designed with controlled temperatures that can keep food in extremely cold conditions to keep bacteria and germs that could affect food at bay.
Invest in a good freezer or fridge and e credible food storage results.
Note: the location you choose for the storage of your food depends on the type of food. Of course, you cannot store fresh produce under the bed. You could easily forget. Rotten food especially from fresh produce could make your bedroom a horrible place to stay in.
Should You Store Food Alongside Cleaning Agents?
NO, DON’T DO THIS.
Sometimes, however, space limitations may prompt you to put them in one place.
But you have to do it with extra care. If such a scenario, apply these tips.
1. Store Chemicals Separately
You can put them on shelves under food. Never store chemicals on shelves above your food.
You want to lower the risk of contact by putting them under food.
Chemicals like bleaching agents can sip through the storage packets.
So if there were any food under it, it would undoubtedly contaminate it.
2. Limit Chemicals That You Keep at Home
Too many chemicals in the storage closets can confuse and increase the possibility of contaminating food with it.
3. Do Not Store Your Food Beside Cleaning Agents
Put your food entirely in a different storage location to rule out the possibility of food contamination.
Eight Things You Can Store Under the Sink
With all that space under the sinking, you are probably wondering what can go there now that you won’t dare store food there.
Here is a list of what you can store under the sink:
- Soaps and cleaning agents
- Plumbing linked to the sink
- Trash bags and cans
- Fire extinguisher and other safety equipment
- Cleaning rags
- Dish-washing cloves
- Distilled water gallons
- Wasp sprays
You can have anything that you need handy when executing kitchen tasks under the sink.
Final Words
The space under the sink can be a tempting one.
Putting food in there poses a grave risk of contaminated food.
Contaminated food can have adverse consequences to your health.
Therefore, no food should be stored under the sink under any particular circumstances.
Instead, look for other cool food storage options that fit your home.
