While most people store their milk in the fridge door, experts claim there’s a better place to keep it to make it last longer.
Just like your oven, your fridge has warm and cool spots that affect your food’s quality and longevity – and the warmest spot in your fridge is actually by the door.
According to Real Simple, there are a few reasons you should avoid this area: “Every time you open the fridge door, you’re dragging everything stored there into what’s likely the hottest room in your house. Warmer temperatures and frequent fluctuations can put food at risk of spoiling, especially milk and cream.”
This fluctuation in temperature can cause your milk to spoil much sooner than displayed on its use-by date.
Instead, experts recommend storing your milk in the middle or bottom of your fridge – and moving it closer to the back wall as you drink it.
This will help keep the milk at a cool temperature, therefore allowing it to last longer and reduce wastage. The statement adds: “Help your milk last longer by storing it at the back of the fridge on a shelf near the middle or bottom.
“Hot air rises, so upper shelves may be a few degrees warmer than lower ones. As for your fridge door compartments, they’re the perfect place to store the least perishable foods you have, like ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, salad dressing, jam, and bottled beverages like sparkling water.
“These foods, though they taste better or last longer when cold, are less perishable, meaning they’re less likely to spoil quickly.” Sharing this message on Reddit, one user simply said on the Life Pro Tips thread: “Don’t put milk or other easily perishable goods in the door shelves of your refrigerator. The temperature there is not as regulated.”
However, one user commented: “But it fits so perfectly.” Another user added: “Everything we put in the refrigerator is perishable. That’s why the refrigerator was invented.” A third user said: “Also, same with heavy things. The door is easier to drop from.”
One more user said: “Milk goes on the bottom shelf in the back of my fridge. Coldest place in the fridge, but – more important – least affected by temperature changes from the door being opened. I don’t go through milk very fast. If I drank a gallon in three days I wouldn’t worry about it.”
