The USDA recommends maintaining a temperature of 4.4 degrees Celsius or lower in your refrigerator. Most compartments in the fridge’s cold storage compartment meet this criterion.

However, the refrigerator door will differ. This part is frequently opened and closed, allowing warm air from the outside environment to enter and affect the food stored here.

Foods That Should Not Be Stored on the Fridge Door

The following are five foods that should not be stored on the fridge door, as many households may unknowingly do so.

1. Milk

It is common for families to store milk on the fridge door for easy access, but this is a significant mistake that can cause the milk to spoil faster. This is because the temperature on the door is unstable and not cold enough, providing an opportunity for bacteria to thrive and potentially cause health issues.

Experts recommend storing milk in a separate compartment to avoid cross-contamination from other foods. Additionally, once opened, milk should not be kept in the fridge for extended periods.

2. Eggs

Regardless of the size of your refrigerator, there is typically an egg tray located on the fridge door. However, this is not the ideal place to store eggs.

Research indicates that eggs stored on the fridge door are more likely to harbor harmful bacteria and spoil due to fluctuating temperatures. Additionally, some studies suggest that extremely low temperatures can destroy essential minerals and enzymes found in eggs.

Therefore, it is best to keep eggs at room temperature and consume them soon after purchase to prevent spoilage.

3. Meat

Meat can quickly spoil if not properly chilled, and since the temperature on the fridge door is unstable and cooler than other food storage trays, meat stored here is more likely to spoil.

To ensure the freshness of your meat, thoroughly wash it, pat it dry, and then securely wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in a plastic bag. Next, store the meat in the cold storage compartment of your fridge if you plan to use it soon, or in the freezer if you want to keep it for a more extended period.

It is advisable to divide the meat into portions before freezing to facilitate convenient usage. Avoid freezing meat multiple times, as this can lead to the proliferation of harmful bacteria, directly impacting your health.

4. Fruits and Vegetables

Similar to meat and other foods, fruits and vegetables stored on the fridge door are prone to spoilage and wilting.

Instead, store your produce in the designated crisper drawers of your refrigerator, where the temperature is more stable, helping to control humidity and keep your fruits and vegetables fresh and crisp for longer.

5. Cheese

Cheese needs to be stored at the right temperature to prevent spoilage. It is best to keep cheese in the designated food storage compartments, as this will help maintain its freshness and prolong its shelf life.

What Should Be Stored on the Fridge Door?

Given the unstable temperature of the fridge door, here are three suggestions for making the most of this area:

Salad Dressing

You can store salad dressing on the fridge door. The maximum storage time after opening is two months. Some oil-based dressings may exhibit oil separation, but a gentle shake before use will remedy this.

Soft Drinks, Beer

If you’re unsure what to put on the fridge door, consider soft drinks, beer, and mineral water. These beverages do not require refrigeration to be consumed, but chilling them can enhance their flavor.

Condiments

Some condiments, such as hoisin sauce and tomato sauce, are best stored in a cool, dry place. You can store them on the fridge door for easy access, and they will last longer than at room temperature.

Frequently asked questions

The fridge door is one of the warmest areas of your refrigerator due to the constant opening and closing, which affects the temperature. Storing eggs here can encourage the growth of bacteria, and also cause them to spoil faster due to the temperature fluctuations.

Similar to eggs, milk is sensitive to temperature changes and the fridge door is not the ideal place to store it. The temperature fluctuations can cause milk to spoil faster and also affect its texture and taste.

Yes, some other items include fruits and vegetables that are prone to freezing, such as bananas, tomatoes, and potatoes. Condiments and sauces such as ketchup, mustard, and salad dressing should also be kept elsewhere in the fridge, as the high sugar and salt content can cause them to crystallize and separate if subjected to frequent temperature changes.

For eggs, it’s best to keep them in their original carton and store them in the main body of the fridge, on a middle or bottom shelf. Milk should also be kept in the main compartment, ideally on the middle or top shelf, to maintain a consistent temperature. Fruits and vegetables that are prone to freezing are best kept in a drawer in the fridge, and condiments can be stored on the door, but preferably in the inner shelves where the temperature is more stable.

The fridge door is a great place to store items that you use frequently and want to keep easily accessible. This could include drinks, yogurt, butter, or cheese. Just be mindful of the temperature fluctuations and how they might affect different types of food.