How to organise your fridge correctly: Here's how

To keep fresh food fresher for longer, one thing is key: organising your fridge correctly! What goes on which shelf, and how can you cleverly organise your fresh produce? Here’s your guide for a longer shelf life, lower electricity consumption and maximum enjoyment.

Glass containers with lids, one with a sandwich and one with salad, in a kitchen.

Organising your fridge correctly – but why?

Every section of your fridge has a different climate. Depending on the model, there are different zones ranging from 2 to 14°C. This is important because some foods prefer colder temperatures than others. When every product is in its proper place, optimal storage in the fridge ensures that your food:

stays fresh for longer
retains its flavour
doesn't go mouldy or dry out
absorbs fewer odours from other foods
doesn't cause other items to spoil (e.g. due to ripening gases)

Open refrigerator with clear containers for cheese, butter, fruit, and beverages.

Organise your fridge systematically

A fridge consists of a certain number of shelves, vegetable compartments at the bottom, and storage options in the fridge door. Each of these zones is intended for different types of food:

Bottom shelf: This is the coldest part, with an average temperature of 5 °C – especially if the shelf is made of glass. This is the ideal place for highly perishable items like fish and meat.
Middle shelf/shelves: The golden mean in terms of fridge temperature is perfect for delicate dairy products and eggs. The temperature here is usually around 7 °C.
Top shelf/shelves: At temperatures of up to 10 °C, you can store originally packaged cheese products, jam, sauces, or leftovers.
Vegetable compartment: At spring-like temperatures of up to 14 °C, fruit and vegetables stay crisp for longer. However, this only applies if your fresh produce is suitable for fridge storage! You can find out more in the guide Fruit and vegetable types for fridge storage.
Fridge door: In terms of temperature, the fridge door works similarly to the shelves – it gets warmer from bottom to top. Simply follow the layout: place eggs in the egg compartment at the top, put drinks in the beverage compartment, and use the middle for opened products that you will use up quickly.

Refrigerator interior with cheeses, drinks, and fruits in clear containers.

Tips for organising your fridge

If you're clever about how you stock your fridge, you can save money in many ways. It's best to follow these tips:

Sort food by its expiry date: Fresh products to the back, older ones to the front – this reduces the chance of forgetting something in your fridge.
Keep your favourites within easy reach: The longer the fridge door is open, the more electricity the appliance uses. Items you need all the time should always be in a prime position – even if the temperature there isn't quite optimal.
Don't put warm food in the fridge: Contrary to old beliefs, this won't break the fridge. However, it will use more energy to maintain its temperature.
An empty fridge means higher energy consumption: In a full fridge, the products help to keep each other cool. That's why a big weekly shop is a better idea from an energy perspective than daily shopping trips.
Keep a clear overview: Transfer opened tins, leftovers, etc., into transparent glass storage containers. They stack perfectly and you can see at a glance what's there – and what's not.

Extra tip: The best before date is a guideline. Most foods are still perfectly fine to eat long after this date. Use your nose, eyes, and sense of taste to check if a product is still edible. The use by date, on the other hand, is binding. Expired? Throw it away!