How to organise your fridge: what goes on each shelf
The fridge isn't equally cold everywhere. Knowing where each thing goes makes food last longer and avoids contamination.
General guidance for a fridge at 0–4 °C and a freezer at −18 °C. Always follow the instructions on the pack and, when in doubt, throw it out.
The right temperature
Set the fridge to around 4 °C and the freezer to −18 °C. Don't overfill it: cold air must circulate.
Shelf by shelf
| Area | What to put there |
|---|---|
| Top shelves | Dairy, yogurt, cold cuts, leftovers and ready-to-eat foods |
| Middle shelves | Eggs (in their box), cheese, desserts |
| Lowest shelf (above the drawers) | Raw meat and fish, in closed containers: it's the coldest area and drips can't spoil anything else |
| Drawers | Fruit and vegetables, ideally kept apart |
| Door | Drinks, water, sauces, butter: it's the warmest area, not for milk or delicate foods |
Habits that make the difference
- First in, first out: what expires first at the front, new shopping at the back.
- Closed containers for leftovers and opened foods.
- No hot food: let it cool, but put it in the fridge within two hours.
- Clean once a month, with water and vinegar or baking soda.
Give every place a name
When every shelf and drawer has a name («shelf 2», «right vegetable drawer»), finding things is instant, even for someone opening your fridge for the first time.
Frequently asked questions
Where does raw meat go in the fridge?
On the lowest shelf, above the drawers, in a closed container: it's the coldest area and any liquid won't contaminate other food.
Should eggs go in the fridge door?
Better not: the door is the warmest area and its temperature changes a lot. Keep them on an inside shelf in their box.
What temperature should the fridge be?
Around 4 °C; the freezer at −18 °C.
Everything in its place, on your phone too
In ConservoCibo fridge, freezer and pantry have shelves, drawers and compartments named as you like. Say «yogurt, shelf 1» and you always know where it is.
Discover ConservoCibo →Free 15-day trial