Help & Advice
Help & Advice
Looking after your Fridge/Fridge-Freezer
Safe stocking and maintenance of your fridge and freezer is crucial to the hygiene of your food and your family's health.
Location location location!
Even if you have fridge-freezer appliance breakdown cover it makes sense to look after your appliance.
Both your fridge and freezer will work most efficiently if they aren't too
close to any heat sources (such as radiator, cooker) and there's plenty of
room for air to circulate around the outside.
Mind the gap!
- Make sure you don't keep the door open for longer than you need - it takes three to four minutes for it to regain its temperature.
- Clean door seals with a solution of detergent to remove mould growth. Check to see if any warm air is getting in. The seals should be tight enough to hold a piece of paper securely when the doors are closed.
Shed that extra weight: defrost!
Defrosting may be a chore but you will instantly make your fridge or fridge/freezer more energy efficient and increase its capacity! If yours doesn't have auto defrost, keep an eye out for frost build up. As a general rule, if it's carrying more than 3-4cm of ice, defrost.
Nasty niffs?
Clean all your fridge's internal and external surfaces regularly with a disinfecting all-purpose cleaner. If any smells linger, wash with a solution of warm water and bicarbonate of soda (15ml to 1 litre). Dry thoroughly. Or leave half a lemon in the fridge.
If the inside back wall has a sheet of frozen ice on it, the drain channel at the back may be blocked. Any trapped debris will create a nasty smell as it decomposes - as well as presenting a potential health risk.
Take its temperature!
Use a fridge and freezer thermometer. Your fridge should be no more than +5ºC in its coldest part and your freezer should be between minus 18ºC - 22ºC. You may need to adjust the temperature dial depending on the time of year to maintain this.
What to wear
Make sure food is properly wrapped and in suitable containers to keep it fresh and free from cross-contamination.
- Keep eggs in the box so you can keep an eye the 'use by' date ... unless the eggs are date stamped individually.
- Cover leftovers and eat within two days.
- Don't keep open cans in the fridge - transfer contents into a storage container or covered bowl and use within two days.
- Never put hot food in the fridge - you're making the fridge work harder than it needs to.
- Use proper freezer storage containers. Label all food packaging and containers with date of cooking and 'use by' dates
Well stocked or overcrowded?
Whilst a well stocked freezer is more energy efficient, an over-packed fridge isn't. A fridge needs good air circulation. So don't over overload it and it won't have to work so hard to keep the temperature down.
Fridge etiquette
- Work on the first in first out rule to ensure nothing lingers too long.
- Keep dry foods, such as ready to eat foods, cheeses, cooked meats, sandwiches at the top.
- Wet foods, such as raw meat, should be kept at the bottom, well covered.
- Follow the 'use by' and 'best before' dates on foods.
Feeling powerless?
In the event of a power failure, keep the fridge and freezer doors shut. Cover separate freezers with blankets and duvets. If the power is off for more than eight hours throw away the food.
Fridge heaven
Old fridges and freezers can be damaging to the environment so they need to
be disposed of carefully. Contact your local authority to check if your
nearest recycling centre accepts them. Some offer a collection services for
a fee. Or visit www.recyclenow.com
Domestic & General offers fridge freezer extended warranty at an affordable monthly price.
