Food Storage Tips; Fresh Food Storage; Frozen Food Storage - Crosley CRD2121NW Guía De Uso Y Cuidado

Food Storage Tips

Fresh Food Storage

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• The fresh food compartment of a refrigerator should be kept
between 34° F (1° C) and 40° F (4° C) with an optimum
temperature of 37° F (3° C). To check the temperature, place
an appliance thermometer in a glass of water and place in
the center of the refrigerator. Check after 24 hours.
If the temperature is above 40° F (4° C) adjust the control as
explained on page 7.
• Avoid overcrowding the refrigerator shelves.
This reduces the circulation of air around the food and results
in uneven cooling.
Fruits and Vegetables
• Storage in the crisper drawers traps humidity to help
preserve the fruit and vegetable quality for longer time
periods (see page 8).
• Sort fruits and vegetables before storage and use bruised or
soft items first. Discard those showing signs of decay.
• Always wrap odorous foods such as onions and cabbage so
the odor does not transfer to other foods.
• While vegetables need a certain amount of humidity to
remain fresh, too much moisture can shorten storage times
(especially leafy items). Drain vegetables well before storing.
Meat and Cheese
• Raw meat and poultry should be wrapped securely so
leakage and contamination of other foods or surfaces does
not occur.
• Occasionally mold will develop on the surface of hard
cheeses (Swiss, Cheddar, Parmesan). Cut off at least an
inch around and below the moldy area.
Keep your knife or instrument out of the mold itself.
Do not try to save individual cheese slices, soft cheese,
cottage cheese, cream, sour cream or yogurt when mold
appears.
Dairy Food
• Most dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, sour cream and
cottage cheese have freshness dates on their cartons for
appropriate length of storage.
Store these foods in the original carton and refrigerate
immediately after purchasing and after each use.
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Frozen Food Storage

• The freezer compartment of a refrigerator should be kept at
approximately 0° F (-18° C). To check the temperature, place
an appliance thermometer between the frozen packages and
check after 24 hours. If the temperature is above 0° F (-18° C),
adjust the control as explained on page 7.
• A freezer operates more efficiently when it is at least 2⁄3 full.
Packaging Foods for Freezing
• To minimize dehydration and quality deterioration use
aluminum foil, freezer wrap, freezer bags or airtight containers.
Force as much air out of the packages as possible and be
sure they are tightly sealed. Trapped air can cause the food to
dry out, change color and develop an off-flavor (freezer burn).
• Overwrap fresh meats and poultry with suitable freezer wrap
prior to freezing.
• Do not refreeze meat that has completely thawed.
Loading the Freezer
• Avoid adding too much warm food to the freezer at one time.
This overloads the freezer, slows the rate of freezing and can
raise the temperature of frozen foods.
• Leave a space between the packages so cold air can circulate
freely, allowing food to freeze as quickly as possible.
• Avoid storing hard-to-freeze foods such as ice cream and
orange juice on the freezer door shelves.
These foods are best stored in the freezer interior where the
temperature varies less with door openings.