Funky Freezer Finds (and how to avoid them)
During refrigerator service calls it is often required that the refrigerator be unloaded prior to the diagnosis or repair. Most of the time, we tell people not to worry about this until we arrive because it's not always necessary, but at times things need to be removed to access the rear panels.
Funky Finds:
This is when we discover that there are things in the backs of our freezers that have been there for sometimes decades (as indicated by the date on the packaging). While unloading the freezer to diagnose a problem on older models, we’ve have had customers find:
Wedding cake from their wedding day,
Old hunting trip leftovers,
Small bags of unlabeled herbs,
Unidentifiable leftovers and
One time a customer had been unable to part with her deceased parakeet so it remained in the freezer for about seven years in a Ziplock bag!
Why it’s important to get a handle on your refrigerator/freezer:
Your refrigerator/freezer environment is a closed system of air movement. That means that your foods, if not sealed and stored properly, will migrate into the air in the refrigerator and freezer leading to odors. These odors are not always the remains of a parakeet (thank goodness!), but onions, garlic, and spicy foods will affect other items in the storage area that are not sealed. So, it’s important to keep your refrigerator and freezer spaces filled with properly sealed and organized food items.
Spills that get in the gasket (especially sticky ones like sauces and sodas), when not cleaned, can place tension on the gasket causing it to tear over time. This is an expensive repair that can be avoided by staying on top of your fridge hygiene.
Ice is a natural odor absorber which means that all those funky smells will also affect the smell and flavor of your ice if it’s not replaced regularly.
How to avoid these unwanted surprises:
We recommend two seasonal clean outs, one in the spring and one in the fall just to see what's going on in there.
Take EVERYTHING out, check expiration dates and toss expired items. We always use the mantra “When in doubt, throw it out!” (advice from Ginny’s college Microbiology teacher).
Wipe down all interior spaces with a mild soap solution or disinfecting kitchen cleaner.
Sometimes, you may have to really let the cleaner sit on stubborn mystery goo to soften it before wiping.
Drawers should be removed so the spaces underneath can be cleaned.
Then, the insides of the drawers can be washed in the sink and dried before being returned to their space.
Label all items with contents and date (you won’t remember when you opened that jar of spaghetti sauce!).
Be sure to use freezer bags to ensure that the plastic is thick enough to keep the smells inside and protect your food from freezer burn.
Use glass or plastic containers for leftovers, ensuring that lids fit properly and there are no cracks in the containers.
When freezing bulk items, divide them into what you would need for one family meal before placing in freezer bags or containers.
Return items in an organized fashion.
The doors of your refrigerator and freezer are the warmest areas, so don’t store things like ice cream or quick to spoil items like lunchmeat in these areas.
Use stackable bins like the ones pictured below in freezers with minimal shelving to organize items for easy retrieval. You can even color code items. For example:
Red bin= meats
Blue bin= fruits/juices
Green bin= veggies
Whatever works for your family!
Hint: These are from the “Dollar Tree” website- this project doesn’t have to be expensive!
Not only will a seasonal clean out help you save money by knowing what you have so you can eat it before it expires, it will also help you avoid unnecessary repairs, funky smells (and maybe then you'll be able to part with the remains of that wedding cake or other long lost treasure).
Happy Fall cleaning!
Your Cavalry Appliance Family