Cleaning out the fridge

[Barbara Moulton]

It's embarassing how a fridge fills up with expired products. Salad dressings are the biggest culprits.

I've been emptying and rinsing for what seems like a long time this evening. PUtting many jars and bottles in the recycling bin.

[Andrea Larabee]

My kitchen is my project this week. I felt fatigue wash over me as I looked at my disorganized pantry and thought about how pots and plastics need to be reorganized before the holidays. Plastics seem to be my worst issue. That don't stack together and fall over and out so easily.

My refrigerator is so small I have to clean it before each big, grocery shopping trip. But I agree with you on those condiment bottles and jars.... I tend to forget how long they've been in there. I have to do the old sniff sniff and the one-eye look down inside to see if there is any seperation or crustation. LOL!!!

It's sooo rewarding when it's all done!!

[Barbara Moulton]

It's sooo rewarding when it's all done!!

You are right about that.

But the door of my fridge looks very empty now!

Do catsup, mustard and pickles expire? How long can you continue to use the same jar of green relish?

[Andrea Larabee]

Ketchup – 8 -12 months in the fridge, though some sources list 2 years. Otherwise 1month at room temperature (though I am not sure I've everh eard of anyone keeping ketchup in the pantry

Mayo – 2 - 6 months

Relish – 1 year
Mustard – 8 months
Jam, jelly, or preserves – 1 year
Salad dressing – 9 months
Maple Syrup – 1 year
Soy sauce – 3 months (and if you look on th bottle, it says you're supposed to keep soy sauce refrigerated!)

Butter – 2 weeks

As a rule of thumb, condiments that have a higher sugar and salt content stay fresh longer and have a longer shelf life. And if there is no expiration date on the package, just use this rule: "When in doubt, throw it out."


I found this info on the internet. I take a black permanent marker and mark the date I opened the jar on the top of the lid. Then I know if I opened it a month ago or 6 months ago.

Everything has a certain shelf life, including spices, dried herbs, cosmetics, and beauty products! Fascinating! (well, for me anyway:basic03 )

[Barbara Moulton]

I take a black permanent marker and mark the date I opened the jar on the top of the lid. Then I know if I opened it a month ago or 6 months ago.

Everything has a certain shelf life, including spices, dried herbs, cosmetics, and beauty products! Fascinating! (well, for me anyway:basic03 )

What a great idea...to mark the date you open something!

[Andrea Larabee]

Yes, it is good to mark it when it is opened. Some canned and sealed items can last 2 to 3 years. (by this I mean the store bought, home canned, and totally unopened.)

[Barbara Moulton]

I just looked at your list again Andrea. I guess I should throw out the maple syrup that was way in the back.

It looked ok, but it has been there longer than a year I think.

[Sara Sheppard]

I just looked at your list again Andrea. I guess I should throw out the maple syrup that was way in the back.

It looked ok, but it has been there longer than a year I think.


Or just make pancakes for dinner tomorrow night, serve the syrup and don't tell anyone.. hee hee

I can't imagine there is anything in the syrup that really "goes bad" like other products. Its probably due more to "quality" and "freshness" than actually being spoiled when it comes to syrup.

Sara

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

Cleaning out my fridge is on my list of things to do after graduate. :basic05 :fav18

[Andrea Larabee]

I just looked at your list again Andrea. I guess I should throw out the maple syrup that was way in the back.

It looked ok, but it has been there longer than a year I think.

Don't feel so bad about your syrup now. I think I topped your issue when I ran across a bottle of very sour milk way in the back of my refrigerator this morning! YUCK!!!! My husband is the only one around here who drinks cow's milk and he doesn't go through it fast enough. :basic05

[Barbara Moulton]

Well, I am pleased to say that I not only cleaned out my fridge I cleaned out my cupboards as well :-)

[Andrea Larabee]

YOU GO GIRL!!! I actually got my pantry cleaned out last night. This thread really motivated me to do it... along with a cup of coffee. :basic01

My cabinets are next too! I've really enjoyed that website you posted recently organizedhome.com. THANKS!

[Judy Hamilton]

This thread made me think about "Must Go Stew"

in a large pot..dump leftovers (that are not spoiled)

hence the name of the stew..this "must Go" and that "must Go"

open a can of diced tomatoes or stewed tomates

and pour over the ingrediants in the pot

add spices to taste

and heat and eat

[Andrea Larabee]

Judy, your post reminded me of a great tip I read in Health magazine...

Tip:
Many recipes require only small amounts of whole vegetables,
leaving me with perfectly good scraps-a quearter of a cucumner, a peice of
red pepper, half a carrot-that usually wind up forgotten in a corner of the refrigerator. Now, I wrap vegetable leftovers in plastic and collect them in a small basket or dish in the fridge. They're less likely to get wasted because they're assembled in one place, and when I need to make a salad in a pinch, I have plenty of add-ins from which to choose.

This time of year you could put those left over veggies into a soup at the end of the week too. This is a very good tip if you are cooking for two people or just yourself.