How to Organise Your Fridge, Freezer, and Pantry for Maximum Family Convenience

A well-organised kitchen can make family life easier and reduce stress at mealtimes. Here are our suggestions for arranging your fridge, freezer, and pantry to maximise convenience and efficiency, along with a shopping list for essential items.

Organising Your Fridge

1. Top Shelves
   Store drinks, herbs, and condiments here, as they are less affected by temperature changes.

2. Middle Shelves
   This is the ideal spot for dairy products like milk, cheese, and yoghurt. The temperature remains consistently cool.

3. Lower Shelves
   Keep raw meats and fish here, as this part of the fridge is usually the coldest. Use separate containers to avoid cross-contamination.

4. Crisper Drawers
   Use the bottom drawers for fruits and vegetables. If your fridge has separate drawers for each, place vegetables in the lower one and fruit in the upper.

5. Fridge Door
   Store condiments, sauces, and juices here. The door is the warmest part of the fridge, so avoid keeping eggs or milk here. I used to always keep my milk in the door, but when I was preparing formula or storing breast milk, I always put it at the back of the fridge. 

Tips

• Set your fridge temperature between 1-5°C (34-41°F) for optimal food preservation.
• Use clear storage bins and label them to easily find what you need.

Organising Your Freezer

1. Top Bins/Shelves
   Store frequently used items like frozen fruit, ice cream, and pre-cooked meals for easy access.

2. Middle Bins/Shelves
   Keep bulkier items like meat and fish here. Ensure they are wrapped well to avoid freezer burn.

3. Bottom Bins/Shelves
   Store less frequently used items like large bags of frozen vegetables or bulk purchases.

Tips

• Keep your freezer at -18°C (0°F).
• Label and date items to track freshness and avoid wastage.

Organising Your Pantry Cupboards

1. Top Shelves
   Store rarely used or bulky items here, such as large cereal boxes or holiday ingredients.

2. Middle Shelves
   Keep everyday essentials like pasta, rice, and canned goods. Group similar items together for easy access.

3. Bottom Shelves
   Store heavy items like jars of sauces or bags of flour and sugar.

4. Spice Racks
   Use spice racks or drawer organisers to keep spices neatly arranged and easy to find.

Tips

• Use clear containers for dry goods to prevent spills and easily see contents.
• Rotate items so older products are used first.

Shopping List for Essential Items

1. Fridge

   • Milk
   • Cheese
   • Yoghurt
   • Eggs
   • Fresh fruits and vegetables (e.g., apples, carrots, lettuce)
   • Condiments (e.g., ketchup, mayonnaise)

2. Freezer

   • Frozen vegetables (e.g., peas, carrots, mixed veg)
   • Frozen fruit (e.g., berries for smoothies)
   • Ice cream (a must!)
   • Pre-cooked meals (e.g., frozen pizzas, ready meals like chicken nuggets)
   • Meat and fish (if not buying fresh regularly)

3. Pantry

   • Pasta
   • Rice
   • Canned goods (e.g., beans, tomatoes, soup)
   • Baking essentials (e.g., flour, sugar, baking powder)
   • Spices and herbs (e.g., salt, pepper, mixed herbs)
   • Breakfast items (e.g., cereal, oats)

By keeping your fridge, freezer, and pantry well-organised, you can reduce stress during meal preparation, avoid food waste, and ensure your family always has access to fresh, healthy ingredients.

Happy organising!