Unopened cans may lose their quality and nutritional value quickly in the kitchen because of the heat and humidity. It is important to store unopened canned foods properly in your kitchen to ensure their freshness, and safety.
So one question arises, can you put unopened cans in the fridge for both food safety and preserving product quality? Storing unopened canned foods in your kitchen fridge is a practice that offers both convenience and potential benefits for freshness.
For some canned goods, refrigeration is a viable option, enhancing their taste and texture when chilled. You can store various unopened canned foods with a few simple guidelines without a hitch.
So, let’s dive into the facts about keeping unopened cans in your kitchen fridge.
How Can You Put Unopened Cans in the Fridge: 6 Tips
Due to food safety concerns, food experts recommend that unopened cans not be stored at room temperature for a long time. Our research covered a few tips to keep in mind when putting unopened cans in your kitchen fridge.
- Choosing the right shelf
- Organizing for space efficiency
- Grouping by type or purpose
- Rotating stock for freshness
- Ensuring food safety
- Maintaining cans integrity and quality
No 01: Choosing the Right Shelf
Choose the appropriate shelf in your kitchen fridge to place the unopened cans for optimal storage. When selecting a spot, consider placing the cans on a stable shelf, preferably in the middle or towards the back of the refrigerator.
We recommend avoiding placing the cans on the fridge door, as it’s frequently exposed to temperature fluctuations. The door is also more susceptible to warm air entering the fridge, compromising the temperature inside.
No 02: Organizing for Space Efficiency
To utilize your kitchen fridge storage space, we recommend arranging unopened cans to maximize efficiency and allow for easy access.
Place taller cans at the back of the fridge and shorter ones in front to ensure visibility and accessibility. Also, consider using stackable can dispensers or wire racks to create additional storage space.
Here is a stackable can dispenser from Amazon, the ClearSpace Stackable Can Dispenser recommended by our editorial team, perfect for neatly organizing beverages and canned goods in your fridge.
Need a budget-friendly alternative? Check out the SimpleHouseware Can Rack Dispenser that offers similar functionality at a great value.
No 03: Grouping by Type or Purpose
You can easily organize your unopened cans in the kitchen fridge by grouping them according to type or purpose. For example, you can group all the canned vegetables and all the canned beverages. This method of organization allows for easy access and retrieval, saving you time and effort.
No 04: Rotating Stock for Freshness
We strongly suggest regularly rotating your stock of unopened cans in the kitchen fridge to maintain freshness. Following the ‘first in, first out’ (FIFO) method ensures that older cans are used before newer ones.
This means placing newer cans at the back of the refrigerator and older ones in front. By doing so, you can prevent cans from sitting in the fridge for an extended period, which can lead to a loss in quality and taste.
No 05: Ensuring Food Safety
Fortunately, placing unopened cans in your kitchen fridge is perfectly safe as long as you follow a few tips to ensure food safety.
We advise you to make sure your fridge is set to the appropriate temperature range of 35°F (1.6°C) to 40°F (4.4°C). This helps prevent bacterial growth and maintains the quality of the canned foods.
Also, store the cans in the main fridge section rather than the crisper drawers designed for produce. The humidity levels in the crisper drawers may not be suitable for cans. And most importantly, regularly check the cans’ expiration dates and consume them before they expire.
No 06: Maintaining Cans Integrity and Quality
To maintain the integrity of the cans, handle them gently when placing them in the kitchen fridge. Avoid dropping or stacking heavy items on top of them, as this can cause dents or punctures that may compromise the seal and lead to food safety issues.
We recommend that you keep the cans upright to prevent any potential leaks. When placing the cans in the fridge, ensure they’re placed in an area where they won’t be knocked over or jostled around.
It’s also advisable to avoid overcrowding the fridge to prevent cans from being squeezed or crushed.
Here is an Upright Can Dispenser from Amazon, which is self-pushing and adjustable, making it a great choice for keeping your cans organized and easily accessible.
What Type of Unopened Canned Foods Do You Store in the Fridge?
Regarding storing unopened canned foods in the fridge, there are several types that you should keep in mind.
Canned Beverages
There are various types of canned beverages that you can store in the fridge to enjoy at a later time. Popular options include sodas, juices, and energy drinks.
Regardless of the type of canned beverage you choose, refrigeration helps to maintain their freshness and carbonation. We recommend keeping the cans upright to avoid any potential leakage.
Canned Fruits
Refrigerating canned fruits can help maintain their texture and prevent them from becoming mushy or overly soft. It’s especially beneficial for naturally juicy fruits, such as peaches, pears, and pineapple.
Also, refrigeration can help extend the shelf life of unopened cans, ensuring they stay delicious for longer.
Canned Vegetables
If you want to refrigerate unopened cans in the kitchen, you can store certain canned vegetables in the fridge. Also, you should consider that refrigeration may slightly alter the texture of the vegetables.
Before refrigerating, always check for signs of spoilage or damage on the can.
Some common types of canned vegetables stored in Mason Jars include carrots, green beans, corn, and peas . These vegetables are often used as side dishes and can be enjoyed cold.
It’s worth noting that the taste and texture may differ from when they’re served at room temperature or heated.
Canned Soups and Broths
When refrigerating unopened cans in the kitchen, you can store canned soups and broths in the fridge. Keeping these items cold extends their shelf life and preserves their quality.
By storing them in the fridge, you ensure they remain fresh and ready to use whenever you need them. Cold storage helps maintain the flavor and prevents any separation of ingredients.
Canned Sauces and Condiments
You can safely store certain unopened canned sauces and condiments in the fridge to maintain their freshness and quality. Canned tomato sauce and canned gravy are two examples of sauces that benefit from cold storage.
By refrigerating these sauces, you can help preserve their flavor and consistency. The lower temperature can slow the natural degradation process, preventing the sauce from spoiling too quickly.
Despite this, not all canned sauces and condiments need to be refrigerated. Condiments like ketchup, mustard, and soy sauce have high acidity or salt content, which acts as a natural preservative.
These can be safely stored at room temperature without compromising taste or safety.
Canned Meats and Poultry
Unopened cans of ham, chicken, or scrambled eggs can be safely stored in the fridge to keep them fresh and ready to eat. Refrigerating these cans is particularly useful for making cold sandwiches or salads with meat or poultry.
But we recommend checking the cans for any signs of damage or bulges before storing them in the fridge.
Also, transferring the contents to an airtight container for storage is recommended once you open a can of meat or poultry. This helps maintain the food’s quality and flavor while preventing any potential bacterial growth.
Conclusion
Keeping canned drinks, fruit, vegetables, soups, and other stuff fresh, safe, and accessible is easy with this guide. You can maximize the use of your kitchen fridge by choosing the right location and monitoring for quality.
Always check the expiration dates and follow proper storage guidelines to maximize their shelf life. Again, here are the key takeaways:
- Choosing the Right Shelf: Place cans on a stable shelf, ideally in the middle or back of the fridge, avoiding the door to prevent temperature fluctuations.
- Organizing for Space Efficiency: Arrange cans to maximize space, with taller cans at the back and shorter ones in front.
- Grouping by Type or Purpose: Group similar cans together for easy access and retrieval.
- Rotating Stock for Freshness: Use the FIFO method to keep your cans fresh, placing newer cans at the back.
- Ensuring Food Safety: Keep the fridge temperature between 35°F (1.6°C) and 40°F (4.4°C) and avoid storing cans in crisper drawers.
- Maintaining Can Integrity and Quality: Handle cans gently, keep them upright, and avoid overcrowding the fridge.
By following these tips, you can ensure your canned foods stay fresh, safe, and ready to use whenever you need them.
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FAQ’s: Can You Put Unopened Cans in the Fridge
Let’s see some common FAQs that we found from our research time.
How long do canned diced tomatoes last in the fridge?
When stored properly, canned diced tomatoes can last up to five days in the refrigerator. This is because the cold temperature helps slow down the growth of bacteria and preserves the quality of the tomatoes.
Do canned vegetables go bad in the fridge?
Canned vegetables have a long shelf life and are specifically processed to be preserved for a long time. Keeping them in the fridge can help maintain their freshness for longer than storing them at room temperature.
If stored properly, canned vegetables can stay fresh for a long time in the refrigerator (approximately 3 to 4 days). It’s recommended to transfer any opened cans of vegetables into a covered glass or plastic container before placing them in the fridge.
