In many Southern kitchens, it’s common to find cabinets overflowing with a variety of pickles, an abundance of hot sauces, and enough flour to bake cakes for an entire church bake sale. If you’re running out of space in your kitchen and considering using the top of the refrigerator to store extra items, you’re not alone. However, this may not be the best solution. While it may seem like a clever way to maximize storage space, placing items on top of your fridge can lead to a range of issues, from safety concerns to potential damage to your appliances. We consulted with organizing and cleaning experts to explore why utilizing the top of the fridge for storing items like cleaning supplies, food, or décor is not recommended. Here is a list of items that should never be stored on top of your refrigerator:
1. Wine or Other Alcoholic Beverages: Fluctuating temperatures and heat can alter the flavor and compromise the preservation of alcohol stored on top of the fridge.
2. Cooking Oils: Heat and light sensitivity make cooking oils unsuitable for storage on the fridge top, as they can affect the quality and flavor of the oils.
3. Items That Block Vents or Airflow: Blocking the vents on your fridge can lead to temperature fluctuations, impacting food preservation.
4. Cereal: Warm temperatures on top of the fridge can cause cereals to become soft rather than crispy.
5. Household Cleaners: While it’s essential to keep cleaners out of children’s reach, storing them on top of the fridge is not recommended due to ventilation and heat concerns.
6. Perishable Foods: Fluctuating temperatures on top of the fridge can create an environment where bacteria thrive, risking food spoilage and foodborne illnesses.
7. Heavy Items: Placing heavy objects on top of the fridge can put excessive pressure on the appliance and potentially damage it.
By avoiding storing these items on top of your refrigerator, you can maintain a well-organized kitchen while ensuring the safety and longevity of your belongings.
Placing small appliances such as microwaves or toasters on top of the refrigerator is a big no-no, according to Webber. The heat vents from the fridge can significantly reduce their lifespan. Similarly, storing plastic containers atop the fridge may seem convenient, but it can have consequences. Holevich warns that while plastic containers are typically durable, they can become brittle when exposed to heat and temperature fluctuations, potentially leading to cracks or warping over time.
When it comes to safety, flammable items should never find a home on top of your fridge, emphasizes Holevich. Items like candles, lighters, matches, paper towels, and napkins can pose a fire hazard when combined with the heat generated by the appliance.
Medications, whether over-the-counter or prescription, require stable temperatures to maintain their effectiveness. Cohoon, Operations Manager at Two Maids, suggests storing medications in a cool, dry place as indicated on the packaging to prevent heat-related degradation.
For those who enjoy fresh bread, it’s essential to store it properly to prevent it from going stale quickly. King advises keeping bread in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources to avoid condensation forming inside the packaging, leading to staleness and mold.
Potato chips and crisps, beloved for their crispy texture, can lose their crunchiness if exposed to warmth. King points out that keeping them on top of the fridge could compromise their quality as the oil in the chips may go bad, affecting taste and smell. In addition, the seasoning and oil flavoring the chips can degrade in high temperatures, altering their taste profile.
For more tips on food storage, Southern Living offers insights on 12 foods that are best kept outside of the refrigerator.
