Tip: Put a Separate Bin in Your Refrigerator for Meat

You probably know the rule of thumb when it comes to storing meat in the refrigerator: keep it as low as possible, so if any leakage occurs, it doesn’t drip on shelves below. But after I did a more thorough food safety audit of my fridge (remember that time the health inspector visited my kitchen?) I decided to also take one extra precaution when storing fish and meat in the fridge.

I now have a clear plastic bin in the refrigerator dedicated solely to meat. I put bacon and other raw meats in there, as well as packets of sausages and fish.

I am not the most terribly germ-phobic person; I’m pretty relaxed, honestly. But keeping raw meat separate from other parts of the refrigerator is a very simple precaution, and it has the added bonus of easier clean up if something does go awry. Not to mention the fact that it keeps my fridge more organized too; I always know exactly where the meat is and things don’t get lost in the back of the fridge.

Personally I really like storing meat in a clear bin so I can always see what’s there at a glance. I bought this bin from the Container Store; they don’t seem to have the same one online, but here’s a similar bin:

→ Find it: Kid’s Shoe Box, $4.99 at the Container Store

• How To Clean the Refrigerator
• How Cold Is Too Cold? How To Set a Proper Refrigerator Temperature
• The Proper Way To Use Your Refrigerator Humidity Drawers
• 5 Small Ways to Reorganize Your Fridge for Smarter Cooking
• How To: Organize Your Fridge
• Teach Yourself to Eat More Vegetables By Reorganizing Your Fridge