We all go to our favourite search engine to ask all those random questions that we’d once have called Mum or Dad about when at uni. And thanks to the wonders of technology, it’s possible to know your most burning/chilling questions.
Since we know a fair bit about fridges, we thought we’d answer your questions and throw in a handy tip or two.
Can wine in the fridge go bad?
Anything can go bad given enough time. But storing wine in the fridge can help expand its drinking life once open – even reds. However, we would recommend sealing your bottle with an airtight stopper and not keeping it in the fridge door. We have loads more tips about storing wine in the fridge.
Where in the fridge should cheese be stored?
The short answer is at the top of the fridge – since that’s where the temperature is most constant. And it’s best not to just throw the opened packet of cheese onto a shelf either. If air gets in there, the cheese will dry out and go flaky. The best thing you can do is to wrap the cheese in a damp cloth or kitchen towel and store it in a sealed box or fridge compartment. Alternatively, you can store your cheese with two sugar cubes – which will regulate the atmosphere and keep it cheese friendly!
Can dough rise in the fridge?
Yes, but much more slowly. The cold slows down the yeast but doesn’t stop it. Use this to your advantage. For example, you can make your dough the night before and then have it risen in time for when you get up. Just make sure you let the dough get back to room temperature before you pop it in the oven. If you don’t want to use your dough immediately, it should keep in the fridge for 3 days.
Should I put hot food in the fridge right away?
Unless it is literally bubbling away, it’s a good idea to put food in the fridge as soon as possible. The longer you leave it out, the more likely it’ll come into contact with bacteria. You should be looking to fridge your food within an hour of cooking if you don’t plan on eating it on the day.
Do batteries in the fridge last longer?
Nope. People have the idea that cold slows down chemical reactions inside the batteries meaning they’ll lose their charge more slowly. If this was ever true, it certainly isn’t now. In fact, condensation in the fridge is actual bad for batteries – and having batteries near food is probably not the most hygienic of set ups. The current advice is to keep batteries in a cool, dry place. Most will retain 85% of their charge for up to a year. So, there’s no benefit to keeping them in your salad drawer.
Should I put my skincare in the fridge?
While there’s nothing to stop you, there’s no real reason to do this. In fact, sometimes it can be a bad idea. Facial oils will have their texture ruined and turned into a lumpy mess that’s difficult to work into the skin. The important thing is to keep make up away from heat and light, which can degrade the active ingredients. So, no to fridge – but also no to a steamy bathroom or sunny windowsill.
Is it better to put tomatoes in the fridge?
This one may spur some fierce debate! While it’s certainly true that a veg drawer will keep your tomatoes good to eat for longer, some people complain that refrigerated tomatoes can be tasteless. A good compromise is to let tomatoes ripen in the bowl. Once they’re ripe, you can then store them in the fridge to preserve them. Then, if you want a full flavoured tomato, take it out and let it warm up a little on the side before eating it. Everybody’s happy!
Should I put flowers in the fridge?
If you’ve just bought some fresh cut flowers and you want to extend their life a little, you can store them in the fridge overnight. The proviso is that you should put them in compartment that can be kept cool (think 0–3°C) and keep them away from fruit or vegetables – which can emit ethylene gas that shortens the life of cut flowers. Weighing up all that night, you might prefer your flowers in a place they can be admired kept in some cold water.
Why should I not put bananas in the fridge?
You can put bananas in the fridge – but only once they are ripe. If your bananas aren’t ripe yet, the cold will slow down the process. The downside is that the skin turns black and the fruit turns mushy. Why? As they’re tropical fruit, bananas have no defence against the cold, their cells break down and their digestive enzymes leak – according to A Moment of Science podcast. So, fridge bananas maybe aren’t so good for eating, but you can still put them in smoothies or banana bread recipes.
Want more?
We’ve got some great content designed to help you keep food fresher for longer.
