Fridge hacks

This week, we're focusing on fridge and freezer hacks so you can make the most out of your food and save money! 

Cool tips

Chill your fridge

Your fridge should be set below 5°C. Adjusting your fridge temperature to 1-5°C can help your food last up to three days longer!

You can buy a fridge thermometer to check how your fridge is doing.

How to adjust your fridge temperature

If you’re unsure on how to check your fridge temperature, Love Food Hate Waste have a brilliant guide to help.

Choose your fridge brand from the list and look for the relevant temperature dial. Then just follow the instructions on how to check and change your fridge’s temperature. Easy as that!

Love your freezer

To avoid food going to waste, check date labels regularly and make the most of your freezer! You can freeze food right up to (and including) the 'Use By' date.

freeze leftovers if you don’t think you’ll eat them just yet - a freezer acts as a ‘pause’ button
your freezer should be set at around -18°C. Check this on your freezer dial. You can find videos online showing you how to do this

Label leftovers

Add a label to any food tubs you put in the freezer, saying what it is and the date it was frozen.

You can write on some plastic tubs with a washable felt tip pen! Use a post-it note if that's easier.

You’ll save yourself money, time cooking, and food from going in the bin!

Now for your chance to gain another entry into the prize draw. This first challenge is easy peas-y!

'Use me first' box

Activity:

create a ‘Use Me First’ zone or box in your fridge and add items to it that need eating soon That way they don’t get forgotten at the back of your fridge – and eventually binned
check the ‘use by’ dates on food if you’re not sure
put the zone or box at eye level on a fridge shelf so you spot it easily when making meals
snap a photo of your zone or box, and email it to love.essex@essex.gov.uk for your prize draw entry

Instructions for sending the email:

please use the same email address you signed up to the challenge with, to ensure your entries can be tracked and logged appropriately
write ‘Maldon’s Money Saving Food Challenge – Week 1’ as the email’s subject line
the photo should not contain any people
by submitting your images via email, you consent to being contacted regarding their potential use for promotional purposes. If we are interested in using your image, we will reach out with details about how it may be featured. You will have the opportunity to decline its use if you prefer
check the Prize Draw terms and conditions for full details

Did you know?

Storing some foods in water in the fridge can help them last longer. This is especially good for crisp vegetables such as carrots, celery and radishes! Always use clean, cold water and store in the fridge.  Change the water every 2-3 days too.

Data privacy

Essex County Council (ECC) is the controller of the personal information you provide to us. The personal information collected when you email us will be used by ECC for the administration and evaluation of Maldon’s Money Saving Food Challenge and deleted after 12 months. You may withdraw your consent at any time by emailing love.essex@essex.gov.uk. For more details on how your personal information is used and your rights, please visit www.essex.gov.uk/privacy.