The Holiday Refrigerator – Yours to Conquer!

 Whether you're cooking the holiday meal or simply bringing home the leftovers, maximizing space in your refrigerator during this busy season can be a challenge. Filled to the brim with fresh produce, leftovers and desserts, you may find yourself wondering how you could possibly stuff any more in. Making sure that food doesn't get lost in the depths of your refrigerator is actually simpler than you might think. Here we share some easy tips to help you get the most out of your refrigerator during this hectic time of year.

• Begin by emptying the refrigerator and wiping it down with warm soapy water (be sure to unplug it first). This will give you a fresh start and a clean slate. A clean fridge is a happy fridge!
• Discard any food or condiments that are out of date. With those items gone, you'll discover much needed space. You'll probably be surprised by the amount of expired condiments you find. Check for any freezer burned items; you'll want to discard those as well.
• Keep your shelves clear of small, awkwardly shaped jars or squeeze bottles by placing condiments in the side doors of the refrigerator. Water bottles and pop cans can also be kept in the side compartments. Tip: If you're truly out of space come party time, use a cooler filled with ice for pop, beer and other cold drinks.
• Prepare ahead of time. Chop and prep any planned meals in advance. Seal them in airtight containers that can be stacked or clear sealable bags that can be labelled with a marker.
• Use those crisper drawers. Store any extra produce that does not fit in containers in the crisper drawers. This will free up some much needed shelf space and you'll be surprised by how much you can fit in there.
• Use mason jars for liquids and sauces. Appealing to the eye, these clear jars come in various sizes, are easily accessible and allow you to quickly identify their contents. They're also attractive enough to go straight from fridge to table.
• Keep commonly used items, such as eggs and bread, on the top shelf. Juice or milk containers with a twist off cap can go there as well by laying them on their sides. In the days leading up to your dinner, this will allow you to easily reach what you need most often.
• Freeze anything you may not eat right away. Bread and butter can both go in the freezer, and vegetables you don't expect to eat can be frozen and then used to make broth.
• Make an inventory list and hang it on your fridge, keeping track of what is in each container. Include each container's contents, date and any other information you may find relevant. You'll stay on top of knowing exactly what's in the refrigerator, what needs to be eaten or thrown out.
• Most refrigerators have adjustable shelving that can be changed for optimizing space. Once our refrigerator is in use, we often forget about this feature. Use this opportunity to raise or lower shelves depending on your storage needs.

Thanks to these simple tips, you'll now find yourself with a clean and organized refrigerator. With your new found optimized space, you're ready to fill the refrigerator with the delicious delights of the holiday season!