The top of the refrigerator is often an inviting platform, and you can easily be tempted to store your food there.
Plenty of people use this space for storing food. You’ve probably been missing out on ideal ways to store food on top of your refrigerator.
So, Is It Ok to Store Food on Top of The Refrigerator?
Yes – You can comfortably store food on top of the refrigerator. However, this applies only to certain foods that will not be affected by the intense heat the refrigerator’s motor exudes. This heat can damage certain foods, such as wine and cereals, by lowering their quality and flavor.
In this guide, we will debunk all the details on whether storing food on top of your refrigerator is a good idea. We have also added a comprehensive guide on simple and helpful tricks to store food on top of the refrigerator.
See Also: What Items Should You Store in the Kitchen Cabinets Above the Stove and Refrigerator?
Which Types Of Food Can You Store On Top Of The Fridge?
There are several types of foods that you can comfortably store on top of your refrigerator.
It’s a convenient spot to store certain foods temporarily.
It is advisable to keep these foods here only briefly before using them.
The top of the refrigerator is not a spot where you can keep food for an extended period.
Such foods include:
- Packaged foods in boxes
- Ripe fruits like bananas and apples
- Pasta and other canned foods.
Five Foods You Should Not Store On Top Of Your Refrigerator
You should not store certain foods on top of the refrigerator because of their potential effect on them. They include the following:
1. Bread
Unless you put it there for a short while, storing your bread on top of the refrigerator is a bad idea.
Most refrigerator motors generate and exude much heat that can damage your bread.
The heat dries bread and makes it unfit for consumption. It toughens it.
2. Potatoes
If stored on top of the refrigerator, the motor’s heat creates conditions for your potatoes to develop sprouts.
Well, potatoes with plenty of sprouts will soon become unfit for human consumption.
Heat aggravates the propagation of potato sprouts. You must ensure that they are in a cool and dry place.
3. Cereals
It would help if you did not store cereals on top of your refrigerator primarily because they are heavy and bulky.
Coupled with the often-high humidity in the kitchen, the refrigerator’s heat will quickly make them go bad (and soggy).
4. Cooking Oils
Storing cooking oils on top of the refrigerator is a bad idea regardless of the oil type.
This is because heat reduces the flavor of the oil.
When exposed to immense heat, most cooking oils become rancid and rapidly lose flavor.
5. Wine
Plenty of people store their wines and other drinks on top of the refrigerator.
They fail to realize that the refrigerator’s heat waters down the drinks’ quality.
Heat compromises with the sedimentation in wine, making it lose quality.
Four Ways To Store Food on Top of The Refrigerator
It is crucial for you to know the safest way to store your food on top of the refrigerator.
Here are four simple hacks to store food on top of your refrigerator:
1. Store Your Food In Clear Containers
There are many good plastic containers that you can use to store your food on top of the refrigerator.
Invest in a couple of these and keep your food safe on top of the refrigerator.
Ensure that they are spotlessly clean to avoid contaminating your foods.
2. Magnetic Storage
Magnetic storage is another ideal way to store your foods on top of the refrigerator.
All you need to do is hang metal baskets and even jars where you can comfortably keep your snacks.
This method is even more comfortable since it uses the vertical space on top of your refrigerator.
3. Use A Wire Basket
Wire baskets and shelves can help you efficiently access your foods on top of the refrigerator.
Depending on the size of your refrigerator, you can buy a suitable shelf or wire basket that fits the top space.
They are ideal for keeping foodstuff and items that can roll and fall off the top of the refrigerator, such as canned foods and even bottles.
4. Invest In Wooden Crates
Wooden crates will give the top of your refrigerator a crusty and appealing look.
You can store anything in there and access it with ease. You can keep your bananas and other fruits here.
The good thing about them is that they are poor insulators, and the effects of the heat released by the refrigerator’s motor will be negligible.
Your foods will, therefore, remain fresh and healthy.
Final Words
It is okay to store food on the top of your refrigerator only if you know the types of foods to store here and the simple tricks to store them.
You want to ensure no inconveniences on top of your refrigerator and keep your foods healthy.
Apply the technique that works for you since refrigerators vary in size. The style that works for someone else may not work for you.
References
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/never-store-on-top-of-the-fridge/
