How to Organize Your Fridge the Right Way

To keep your fresh groceries fresh, one thing helps above all: organizing your fridge correctly! What goes on which shelf, and how can you cleverly organize your fresh food supply? Here is your guide to longer shelf life, lower energy consumption, and maximum enjoyment.

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

Organizing your fridge the right way – but why?

Every area of your fridge has a different climate. Depending on the model, there are zones ranging from 35 to 57 °F. This makes sense, as some foods prefer it colder than others. If every product finds its proper place, optimal storage in the fridge ensures that food:

stays fresh longer
retains its flavor
does not get moldy or dry out
absorbs fewer outside odors
does not spoil other items (e.g., due to ripening gases)

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

Organizing Your Fridge with a System

A refrigerator consists of a specific number of shelves, crisper drawers at the bottom, and storage compartments in the fridge door. Each of these zones is designed for different types of food:

Bottom shelf: At an average of 5 °C (41 °F), this is the coldest spot – especially if the shelf is made of glass. This is the ideal place for highly perishable items, from fish to meat.
Middle shelf (shelves): The golden middle when it comes to fridge space and temperature is perfect for sensitive dairy products and eggs. The temperature here is usually around 7 °C (45 °F).
Top shelf (shelves): At temperatures of up to 10 °C (50 °F), you can store cheese in its original packaging, jam, sauces, or leftovers.
Crisper drawer: At spring-like temperatures of up to 14 °C (57 °F), fruits and vegetables stay crisp longer. However, this only applies if your fresh purchases are suitable for fridge storage! Find out more in our guide Storing Fruits and Vegetables Correctly in the Fridge.
Fridge door: In terms of temperature, the fridge door works similarly to the shelves – it gets warmer from bottom to top. Simply follow the built-in accessories: place eggs in the egg tray at the top, put drinks in the bottle rack, and use the middle section for opened products that you need to use up quickly.

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

Tips for Organizing Your Fridge

If you get smart about how you pack your fridge, you can save money at every turn. Here are the best tips to get you started:

Sort food by expiration date: Fresh items in the back, older items in the front – this reduces the chance of forgetting something in the fridge.
Keep your favorites within easy reach: The longer the fridge door stays open, the more electricity the appliance uses. Things you need constantly should always be in the pole position – even if the temperature there might not be completely optimal.
Do not put warm food in the fridge: Contrary to what people used to say, the fridge won't break. But it does require more energy to maintain the temperature.
An empty fridge means higher energy consumption: In a full fridge, the products help cool each other down. That's why a big weekly grocery run is a better idea energy-wise than shopping every day.
Keep a clear view: Transfer opened cans, leftovers, etc., into clear glass storage containers. They stack perfectly, and you can see at a glance what's still there – and what isn't.

Extra Tip: The best-by date is just a guideline. Most foods are still perfectly good to eat long after that. Use your nose, eyes, and sense of taste to test if you can still eat a product. The use-by date, on the other hand, is strict. Expired? Toss it!