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What are the sizes of microwaves?
If you’re looking for a new microwave you can’t have failed to notice how many different sizes, types and variations there are out there these days.
It can sometimes be hard to pick the best one for you, this is especially the case when deciding on the size. This can leave you wondering – what are the sizes of microwaves? There are many different types of sizes of microwaves and below we will take a look at some of the most common ones.
What are the sizes of microwaves?
So what are the sizes of microwaves? In terms of capacity, microwaves can typically range from around 15 to 40 litres.
The capacity of a microwave refers to the total volume available within the cooking cavity. This is typically stated in litres (or in cubic feet). It’s important to remember that when you talk about the total capacity not all of it will be available for cooking.
This is especially true of the turntable style microwaves that have space taken up by the rotating table. This also applies to combination ovens that may have other fittings internally. However, the total capacity is still good indicator of available cooking space. Sometimes the actual available cooking capacity will be stated within a microwave’s instruction manual.
Below is a simple table that gives you an idea of roughly how many people each capacity of microwave could ideally cater for.
Capacity (Litres)
Family Size
15 – 20 Litres
1 – 4
21 – 24 Litres
1/2 – 4
25 – 30 Litres
3 – 5
31+ Litres
4 – 6
Best Microwave Between 15 – 20 Litre Capacity: Daewoo KOR6M17R – 20 Litre
When you opt for the Daewoo KOR6M17R you’ll be getting a highly effective microwave that comes with rave reviews and a track record of great performance. For the money you pay, you are unlikely to finder a cheaper model that gives you so much value.
Despite the razzmatazz of many new microwave models, the best performers tend to be the ones that keep things simple. This is definitely the case with the Daewoo KOR6M17R.
By focusing on simplicity with little fuss, Daewoo have produced an absolute winner of a microwave. If you need a microwave that will cook, re-heat and defrost your food effectively, is easy to use and offers excellent value for money then look no further than the Daewoo KOR6M17R.
The Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B cannot be rated highly enough. It is a wonderfully intuitive microwave that focuses on making your life as easy as possible and gets the most important aspects of the microwave (heating and defrosting) just right. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, cooks very well and offer excellent value for money.
The Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B is a microwave that shows the renowned British manufacturer at the top of its game. To say this microwave is easy to use would be a wild understatement. The control panel features 4 buttons. In case you missed that let me repeat; it features four (4) buttons. 1 – Microwave, 2 – Defrost, 3- Stop/Cancel and 4 – Start are all the buttons you’ll ever need to get the most out of this beauty.
The Bosch Series 2 HMT84M461B solo microwave combines excellent build quality, lots of useful features, great performance and high user satisfaction to make it one of the very best options on the market. With a 25Litre capacity it has a fairly generous capacity whilst a 315mm turntable means you can get large plates and dishes into the microwave. These features make it a great fit for families as well those looking for a solo microwave that’s larger than the average size.
If you’re looking for a high capacity microwave with excellent features that’s easy to use then the brilliant Sharp R959SLMAA is a great bet.
Microwaves don’t really come much bigger in terms of cooking capacity than what the Sharp R959SLMAA offers. Its extra large 40 litrecapacity means you can easily cater to the needs of your household and make large dishes with no trouble.
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Best Looking Countertop Microwave: #1 – Toshiba Microwave Oven ML-EM23P(SS)
+ 800W of power for fast cooking + 23litre capacity + Unique multi-stage cooking + Child lock
– Bigger than it sometimes appears
The Toshiba Microwave ML-EM23P(SS) (digital) offers pretty everything you’d want in a solo microwave and does it all for a price that will have you double-checking your receipt once you’ve got it working. It offers jaw-dropping value for money, excellent style, great functionality and a compact footprint with a roomy interior.
Straight out of the box you’ll see why it’s one of the most attractive countertop microwaves available and our #1 choice for best looking countertop microwave. The silver coating with the black door gives it a modern and stylish look that would fit in any kitchen counter looking for slick additions to its line-up.
The digital touch control panel adds to the modern feel of the Toshiba Microwave ML-EM23P(SS) (digital). Though this may appear daunting at first, it’s relatively easy to use. In fact how easy it is to use this microwave is one of the things that users mention most when scoring it highly. If you need some guidance on the controls, the instruction manual will have you covered.
With 800Watts of power behind it the Toshiba Microwave Oven ML-EM23P(SS) 23L Digital will cook your food quickly and effectively.
To make the most of the power it also comes with several one-touch preprogrammed options for making your favourite foods, a particular favourite amongst users.
It also has a novel multi-stage cooking setting which allows you to programme in two cycles in one. For example you could boil rice at 80% for 5 minutes and then set it to simmer at 40% for another 10 minutes. This can be a great time-saver as there’s no need to go back to it part-way through.
You’ll be pleased to find that it’s also easy to clean with countless users also remaking on the same thing. The coated lining of the interior makes it straightforward to wipe it down after use.
It has an ample 23 litre capacity which would suit a family quite well but also wouldn’t be too big for smaller households.
Something to keep in mind is that some users have mentioned that it’s bigger than it looks in the photos so make sure you pay attention to the stated dimensions when buying.
Verdict
All in all the Toshiba Toshiba Microwave ML-EM23P(SS) (digital) is a great option if you want a microwave that does its job well, looks great but also offers excellent value for money.
Best Looking Countertop Microwave: #2 Samsung MS23F301TAS
+ Looks gorgeous + Super-easy to use + Child lock for peace of mind + Enamel ceramic interior with anti-bacterial properties
– Difficult to clearly see food as it cooks
It’s not often you see users describe microwaves as stunning but then again it’s not often you see microwaves like the Samsung MS23F301TAS.
It’s a microwave that’s had rave reviews from users and it’s clear to see why.
With the Samsung MS23F301TAS you get a visually pleasing design that cooks very well, has a compact footprint and best of all won’t make you think twice about the price as it offer excellent value for money. You are unlikely to find another
Let’s start with the exterior. The first thing that strikes you with this model is simply how gorgeous it looks. The silver exterior finish has a real polished look to it and it contrasts delightfully with the black door face and control panel.
The design has nice clean lines to give it a real modern feel. The Samsung MS23F301TAS would look equally at home in a high end refurbished kitchen or new build or as an elegant addition to an existing kitchen.
Added to that is the ice blue LED display on the control panel which will have you purring in delight.
The delight in its appearance does not stop with the outside. The inside of the microwave is made from ceramic enamal which aside from looking excellent is also anti-bacterial and easy to clean.
Once you’re done admiring your new microwave you can then get to enjoying the fast and effective way it heats, cooks and defrosts it’s way through your food. This is a solo microwave meaning there’s no grill or oven function and it does its main job very well.
Food is cooked quickly and evenly without the worry of cold spots. The way this microwave cooks food evenly is an often cited benefit that users mention. It has Samsung’s Tripe Distribution System which emits microwaves from three different points in the cooking cavity which results in more even distribution of the heat and food that is thoroughly cooked.
Another standout benefit of this highly rated microwave is how easy it to use. Whether you’re after a quick reheat of some leftovers or cooking something more elaborate the Samsung MS23F301TAS has you covered.
In just 3 quick and easy steps you can have your food heated; 1 – select a mode, 2 – use the dial to set the time and 3 – hit start. Easy as pie (or whatever else you may need to cook up). It also has a 30 second plus button which is always handy for adding some extra time or a quick cycle.
The Samsung MS23F301TAS has a maximum power of 800W which will ensure your food is cooked quickly and thoroughly. To give you the full range of power options, you get 6 different power levels to select from.
With a 23litre capacity, the Samsung MS23F301TAS will be well suited to a family and could easily cater to smaller households as well.
To help save you some money the Samsung MS23F301TAS has an ECO mode which will help to conserve energy when it’s not in use.
Once you are done using it and need to clean it the Samsung MS23F301TAS also excels. As the interior has a ceramic enamel coating cleaning is made very easy as you can just wipe with a damp cloth. It also has welcome anti-bacterial properties. The interior is made of a scratch resistant material which is made to last and avoid discolouration.
To help keep your microwave smelling fresh it has a really cool deodorising feature that will help to get rid of any lingering smells.
One downside of the black door finish is that food is sometimes difficult to see as it cooks. In addition, some users report that the distribution of the weight means it can sometimes move when you press the button to open the door.
Verdict
At this price range though, you will be hard pressed to find a microwave that looks as slick, delivers excellently cooked food and is as easy to use as the Samsung MS23F301TAS.
Best Looking Countertop Microwave: #3 – Samsung MS23F301TAK/EU
+ Unique deodorising features + ECO mode to save energy and money + Eliminate cold spots with the Triple Distribution System
– Difficult to clearly see food as it cooks
The Samsung MS23F301TAK offers you brilliant value for money, cooks food brilliantly, looks very stylish, is easy to use and comes very highly rated and offers some unique features. Rarely do you find that many attributes coming together in a microwave, though Samsung seem to know how to knock them out.
You won’t quite believe the value your getting with the Samsung MS23F301TAK for the money you pay and your disbelief will start from the unboxing.
As far as kitchen appliances go, the Samsung MS23F301TAK is a marvel to behold. Simply put it just looks so slick. It has an all black exterior aside from the door handle and selection knob which complement it with a silver finish. The crystal blue LED display adds a real crispness to the front.
The delight doesn’t stop there because when you open the door, which has a real quality feel about it with none of the flimsyness you sometimes get with poor models, your greeted with a enamal ceramic interior. This has many benefits aside from looking cool; it’s anti-bacterial, highly scratch resistant as well as being super smooth for easy cleaning.
To make the job of keeping your microwave fresh over time it comes equipped with a deodorising feature that will help eliminate smells after a cycle.
No matter what you use your microwave for, with the Samsung MS23F301TAK your food will get cooked quickly but more importantly evenly. This thanks to Samsung’s Triple Distribution System which cooks your food from 3 different sources rather than emitting microwaves from just one spot as you would find in ordinary microwaves.
The Triple Distribution System allied with 800W of cooking power means you’ll be eating your food in good time without the need to go back to the kitchen as you’ve found a random cold spot in the middle of your leftovers.
You’ll quickly notice how easy it is to use this microwave as the controls are kept free from complications. This makes sense when you consider around 98% of microwave users only make use of them for heating and defrosting food.
You’ll have 6 power levels to get the full range of use of the 800W as well as a multitude (20) of auto-cook programmes.
To help keep your family safe in the kitchen, there’s a useful child lock feature.
Whilst the ECO mode will help you to save some money off your energy bills as it conserves power when not in use.
One thing to bare in mind that some users mention is the fact it can be hard to see through the door unless you are up close due to the black tint. However, this does not seem to be a universal complaint and is a small niggle when you consider what your getting for the price and all the features.
Whether you have a family or are a couple the Samsung MS23F301TAK has plenty of cooking space with an overall capacity of 23 litres.
Verdict
In summary, the Samsung MS23F301TAK is a real classy option for your kitchen as well as your wallet. It offers best-in-class design features from Samsung as you would expect but even more importantly does the job of heating, defrosting and cooking your food very well. If you like the design and functionality of the Samsung MS23F301TAS but would prefer something similar in all black then the Samsung MS23F301TAK might be the solution for you.
Best Looking Countertop Microwave: #4 – Samsung MS23K3513AK
+ Looks brilliant + Anti-bacterial ceramic enamel + Deodorising function
– Difficult to see food when cooking
The Samsung MS23K3513AK is the closest thing you’ll ever get to a total and complete package in your kitchen. From the time you take it out the box you’ll know you have unearthe something special for your kitchen.
It looks, simply put, amazing. Cooks even better; is super-easy to clean; has its own self-deodirising system; is very easy to use and perhaps best of all still offers brilliant value for money.
The Samsung MS23K3513AK cooks brilliantly but we will get to that. First it’s hard to ignore just how sleek and stylish this lovely microwave looks. As you would expect from a Samsung product its all smooth lines and curved edges leaving you with a microwave that looks like it was designed in the future and sent back to make the rest of your kitchen appliances feel bad.
It also has the look and feel of a high quality and durable model which is very much reflected in the high ratings it consistently receives from users.
The trademark Samsung all black exterior works brilliantly with this design. It’s rare that you find a microwave that looks great with the door open as well as closed but somehow the Samsung MS23K3513AK manages to do just that. The internal cavity is crafted from ceramic enamel which is exceptionally smooth, highly scratch resistant and best of all has antibacterial properties.
The smoothness of the interior makes the Samsung MS23K3513AK very easy to clean as you can simply wipe it down with a damp cloth.
As well as the antibacterial and easy clean interior, the Samsung MS23K3513AK also has another feature to help keep the microwave as clean and hygienic as possible; deodorisation. This function works by eliminating the strong ordours from the interior of the microwave meaning it stays smelling fresher for much longer.
But as if the aesthetics and after-care were not enough to make the Samsung MS23K3513AK stand out, this microwave also happens to cook your food brilliantly. It has a unique triple distribution heating system that heats your food from 3 different points within the cavity rather than the typical one. This results in heat being more evenly distributed within the microwave and food that comes out without those annoying random cold spots.
With 800W of cooking power, the Samsung MS23K3513AK also cooks your food quickly saving you time as well as energy.
To further help you save money on energy, the Samsung MS23K3513AK comes equipped with an Eco mode that will reduce power consumption when its on standby. In addition, if you forget to close the door once you’ve used it, the interior light will switch itself off after 5 minutes.
Quite helpfully it has a 30 second start for cooking which is brilliant if you mostly (like 98% of the population) use your microwave to quickly reheat your food as well defrost items.
That’s one of the things that stands out overall with the Samsung MS23K3513AK; it’s simplicity. It is very easy to use and although it has lots of auto functions and features; the core functions that you will need such as quick cooking and defrosting are clearly indicated and easy to pick up.
It has 6 power levels giving you a wide range of options to find the best cooking conditions for your food.
The Samsung MS23K3513AK also comes with an incredible 20 pre-set autocook functions to take care of pretty much all of your likely cooking and heating needs including ready meals, various types of vegetables as well as fish and chicken. The thorough instruction manual will talk you through the various options and also suggest recipe ideas.
Another brilliant auto-cooking feature is a button to melt/soften foods like butter, sugar and your favourite chocolate desserts.
The Samsung MS23K3513AK has a 23 litre capacity meaning it will easily cater for an average sized family as well as couples.
The only slight gripe that some people seem to have with this wonderful Samsung MS23K3513AK is difficulty seeing into the cooking cavity whilst it’s in operation. However, this does not seem to be a consistent complaint and if you look close up enough the light should provide you with enough visibility though it is something to bear in mind.
Verdict
Overall the Samsung MS23K3513AK offers an excellent solo microwave that looks amazing, cooks even better, is easy to use and offers brilliant value for money. Given the sort of price you’ll be paying for this, it would be difficult to find another high quality premium microwave that would offer the same attributes at a better price.
There’s nothing as satisfying to the soul as a well roasted cut of lamb. We love this slow cooked oven roasted leg of lamb as it combines patient and rewarding slow cooking with a beautiful and succulent meaty finish.
This is definitely a cooking labour of love but it is well worth the rewards when you get the tender and juicy lamb onto your plate.
3 – Add the pepper, ginger, all purpose seasoning, soy sauce, and oregano.
4 – Squeeze the fresh lemon over the top of the lamb and ingredients.
5 – Mix up all the ingredients with the lamb. I like to put the lid on the slow cooker and lift the cooking pot out of the cooker and shake the ingredients together. You may prefer mixing the ingredients by hand.
6 – Set the slow cooker for 4 hours and get it going.
7 – As the slow cooker is nearing completion, we pre-heat your oven to 180°C.
8 – Place foil into a suitably sized oven pan and position the lamb in the centre. Pour the liquid left over in the slow cooker over the top of the lamb.
9 – Roast in the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes** turning it over midway through.
10 – Serve with roast potatoes and sautéed vegetables.
**Cooking times are for general guidance only; appliances vary.
These paprika and mozzarella sausage rolls are simply delicious. They are most definitely a special treat and not something we make regularly but they are an absolute delight. They can be used a snack, starter or even as a main dish with some lovely salad on the side.
Ingredients
1 x Whole Pepper (red or yellow) cut into small cubes
Place the olive oil into a pan and heat up gently. Add the cubes of whole fresh pepper and stir for a few minutes until tender.
Place peppers into a separate bowl for mixing with the other ingredients.
Cut the end of each sausage and squeeze out the sausage meat into the mixing bowl with the peppers.
Add the paprika and ground black pepper.
Add mozzarella and red pesto.
Mix all the ingredients together in the mixing bowl and set aside.
Take your pastry sheet and lay it on a flat service. Take your sausage mix and lay in the middle of your pastry sheet all the way along the length of the piece. You want to leave a equal distance on either side of the pastry mix.
Note: The sausage rolls made in the video above were pretty large and used the whole puff pastry sheet. You can opt to make more bite-size rolls by simply cutting the sheet in half and using half the meat mixture for each side.
Take your egg mix and spread some lightly along the edges of your puff pastry sheet.
Take on side of the puff pastry and roll it over the sausage mix to join the other. Make sure the two sides are properly sealed. You can take a fork and press into the two folds to make sure they are sealed.
Take the your egg mix and spread it over the puff pastry. Make sure you cover the whole surface.
Use a large knife to slice the puff pastry into 9 sections. Place each one onto an oven tray lined with baking paper.
Place in the oven for 45 minutes (they should come out a nice golden brown).
We’ve searched hard to bring you the leading contenders for the best budget fridge freezer under £300.
As you are interested in the best budget fridge freezer under £300 we also assume you’ll want to know which fridge freezers are the cheapest to run in terms of energy consumption so we have presented this information in our table below as well.
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Energy cost based on average cost of £15.40 per unit.
What Factors Should You Consider When Looking For The Best Budget Fridge Freezer Under £300?
Capacity/Space: The internal storage space of your fridge freezer is something to keep in mind when searching for a new model.
Bear in mind that you will often see both gross and net capacity stated; you want to focus on the net capacity.
The net capacity is the usable space you have once you take away what’s already occupied by shelving units etc.
Gross capacity is the total space you have in a given compartment or overall.
Size: The size of the fridge freezer is obviously critical as it needs to fit into your available kitchen space.
Always check the space where you intend to put the fridge to make sure it is suitable. It also will need space around the back and sides for air circulation.
Annual Running Cost: As well as the upfront cost you pay today for your fridge freezer, you may also want to think about how much it will cost you to run it. Remember that your fridge freezer will almost certainly be switched on 24 hours a day every day so the cost of running it is crucial to controlling your energy costs.
Other Features To Look Out For: Water dispensers can be useful especially for chilled water in the summer months; transparent glass and plastic draw and shelves for visibility and frost-free function for extra convenience.
You’d have to work very hard to find any obvious ones at this price!
We’ve put the excellent Beko CFG1582DW at the top of the list for best budget fridge freezer under £300 for the features you get for your money.
It combines an excellent 261 litre net capacity alongside a water dispenser, an A+ energy efficiency rating and frost free feature to keep your machine running as it should all year long.
At an estimated cost of £48.43 to run per year, it should also keep your wallet happy long after you have purchased it.
156 litre net capacity – great size for a small household
Available in multiple colours – white, black, red and silver
Metal backed (flame retardent)
Cons
Small capacity may not suit everyone
The Russell Hobbs RH50FF144 makes it on to the list for the best budget fridge freezer under £300 and also gets the nod for the best fridge freezer for a single person or small household.
It will cost you an estimated £31.72 per year to run which makes sense given its smaller size when you compare it to the other models on this list.
The Beko CRFG1582W makes the list of contenders for the best budget fridge freezer under £300 its simple yet effective design and the handy features it offers.
With a frost free system and 263 litre net capacity, this would make a welcomed addition to most kitchen especially for the price.
At £48.51 this model has the highest running cost on the list though this is marginal and overall still offers great value.
Key Benefits
Frost free system for easy maintenance
263 Litre Net Capacity
Reversible door allowing you to make full use of your space
A+ energy rating
Dimensions: H182 x W54.5 x D60cm
HOOVER HSC574W
Estimated Yearly Running Cost: £39.42
Pros
Reversible doors
Reasonable running cost
Twin crisper drawers
Cons
Difficult to read temperature control
The Hoover HSC574W makes it on to the list for the best budget fridge freezer for under £300 as it gives everything you would want in a new model and does it without fuss.
With an estimated consumption of 256KWh per year, it is estimated that it would cost you £39.42 per year in terms of running costs.
The fridge comes with 2 handy adjustable shelves along with twin crisper drawers which are great for storing your fruit and vegetables properly. The freezer is equipped with 4 drawers including one larger compartment at the bottom perfect for keeping larger sized items.
A slight oddity with the design is that the temperature control can sometimes be tricky to see clearly as it positioned near a bright light; certainly not a deal-breaker however.
Key Benefits
242 Litre net capacity
Reversible door opening to maximise the space in your kitchen
10 year parts and 1 year labour guarantee for peace of mind
The Hotpoint HBD5517W fridge freezer is included on our list of best budget fridge freezer under £300 for its classic look and versatile storage. We particularly like the twin fruit and veg crisper drawers in the fridge allowing you to split your groceries for optimum storage.
It is estimated that this model will cost you around £39.27 per year to run, the lowest on this list.
As it is a manual defrost model, it will ideally need to be thawed out from time to time to keep it running at its best.
Key Benefits
A+ Energy Efficiency rating
2 Salad crisper drawers – handy for separating your fruit and veg
234 Litre net capacity
10 year parts and 1 year labour guarantee for peace of mind
Reversible doors allowing you to place it wherever you need to in the kitchen
Twin fruit and veg crisper drawers; 4 freezer drawers
We’ve all been there – you open up the fridge to grab some fresh tomatoes only to find they’re are half frozen over. And you think why is my refrigerator freezing my vegetables?. Here are a few possible reasons for why your vegetables are being frozen:
1 – Your Vegetables Are Too Close To the Cooling Vent
Most refrigerators have a air flow vent in the side or the back of the fridge for cooling.
Make sure that you are not placing sensitive items too close to this vent as they are likely to freeze over.
2 – Your Freezer Is Too Cold
The temperature of the freezer could be the reason your refrigerator is freezing your vegetables.
There are some side-by-side models that pass cold air from the freezer into the fridge via a vent. If the freezer temperature is too low, it will make your fridge colder too, especially by the vents.
3 – Your Fridge Temperature Is Too Low
You should also check that you have the temperature set to the appropriate level in the fridge. The level you set it to should be partly determined by the amount of food you typically store in there.
Ideally your fridge should be set to between 3°C (37°F) and 5°C (40°F) for optimum food storage.
If your fridge does not have easy to read temperature settings then you may want to consider grabbing yourself an appliance thermometer.
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If your fridge has a temperature dial (e.g. 1 to 5) then generally you want to make sure it is set to:
3 or 4 if it tends to remain quite full
1 or 2 if there’s typically not much food in there
The temperature dial lowers the temperature the higher up you go with 5 being the lowest temperature.
4 – Find The Cold Spots
Something to bear in mind is that the issue may be confined to one area of the fridge. The most common places where food is accidentally frozen in the fridge are the top-shelf, bottom of the fridge and door shelves.
If you have found that the problem only occurs in certain compartments then this should be easy to fix; only place food that can withstand the cold in those areas.
5 – Your Fridge Needs Be Defrosted
Sometimes your vents may become blocked which means the air cannot circulate as it should. Try defrosting your fridge and freezer to see if this will solve the problem. Empty the fridge of all its contents and leave it for 24 hours to settle. Give it a good clean and then plug it back in. With any luck this should solve the problem.
6 – The Fridge Is Not Full Enough
This might seem like an odd one but the fact your food may be freezing in because your fridge is not full enough.
Refrigerators work at their best when they are well packed. This is because fridges need to be adequately filled to absorb the cold air circulating inside. If they sit relatively empty then the cold air will sink to the bottom freezing any food there.
Doing this may also help to regulate the temperature in the freezer.
If these suggestions don’t solve the issue your fridge may have a problem that needs a bit more attention; be aware of some of the signs that could mean you need to call an engineer or consider a new fridge.
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What Goes In The Crisper Drawer In The Fridge?
The crisper drawer in the fridge is the best place to keep your fresh fruit and vegetables.
What Is The Crisper Drawer?
The crisper drawer is the compartment (sometimes two side by side) at the bottom of your fridge which is designed to prolong the life of your fruit and vegetables.
It has a different level of humidity to the rest of the fridge allowing you to optimise the conditions for fresh produce storage.
A lot of crispers will have a humidity slider at the back. This allows you to control the air flow into the drawer from a cooling vent;
Close the air flow for high humidity
Open the air flow for low humidity
Managing the crisper drawer correctly can significantly extend the life of your fruit and vegetables. This has a few noticeable benefits:
It will keep your food tasting fresher for longer
It will lower your grocery bill
How Do You Use The Humidity Control On Your Crisper Drawer?
Generally speaking you want to keep produce that rots easily in a low-humidity environment e.g. apples, avocados etc.
Whilst a high-humidity drawer is better for items that tend to wilt easily e.g. lettuce and spinach.
The high humidity section also works well for ethylene sensitive items.
What is ethylene gas and why does it matter?
One of the main reasons certain foods go bad quickly in the fridge is ethylene gas. Ethylene gas is naturally produced by foods such as bananas and apples. It is a plant hormone that is released as gas.
The ethylene hormone initiates cell degredation, turning fruits soft and sweeter.
There are some fruits and vegetables which produce high amounts of ethylene whilst others are more sensitive to it.
High Ethylene Producing Fruits and Vegetables
Apples
Bananas (ripe)
Apricots
Avocados
Grapes
Nectrines
Peaces
Potatoes
Plums
Ethylene Sensitive Fruits and Vegetables
Bananas (unripe)
Brocolli
Carrots
Cauliflower
Garlic
Kale
Onions
Strawberries
The above information should give you some help and guidance when it comes to storing your food. For example you may want to segregate your ripe bananas and your onions.
Some fridge models have more than one crisper drawer which makes it easy as you can separate foods as you need to. If your fridge only has one crisper drawer then you could always look at small storage containers to isolate the items you need to.
How Full Should My Crisper Drawer Be?
Make sure that you do not overfill your crisper drawer. If you are having to cram the last red peppers into the top of the drawer before closing it then take some stuff out.
Given the ease in which you can set the relative humidity in the crisper drawer it could potentially be a good place to store meat.
However, generally raw meat should be isolated from everything else to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.
Therefore if you only have one crisper drawer which you tend to use for fruits and vegetables, avoid placing raw meat in there regardless of how tempting or convenient it might be.
If you have separate drawers and you use one of them for raw meat, make sure you do not use it for anything else.
In the case where your fridge does not have more than one crisper drawer, consider getting a reusable container with seal to if you need to store raw meat in your refrigerator.
What To Do If Your Fruits and Vegetables Are Still Not Staying Fresh?
These BBQ style hoisin roasted chicken wings are simply delicious. The hoisin sauce finish combined with a chargrilled-like look make them incredibly eye-pleasing but this is beaten by the mouth-watering flavours.
Great to go alongside a main dish or eaten as a starter, these wings will have you going back for more.
Your fridge freezer is possibly the most important appliance in your home but do you know its ideal temperature? Is 7 degrees Celsius cold enough for a fridge? Or is it 5 degrees Celsius?
Your fridge should be set to between 3°C (37°F) and 5°C (40°F)
Your freezer should be set to 0°C (-18°F).
It usually takes about 24 hours for any changes to take full effect.
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Here are a few other key questions you might have about your fridge…
Is 1 or 5 colder on a fridge?
What do the numbers on the temperature dial of your fridge mean? This is a tough one especially as a lot of fridge freezer models don’t always make it clear. You can try looking in the user manual but that’s not always helpful. So if the numbers go from 1 to 5 which is the coldest? Is it temperature or freezing power?
With pretty much all fridge freezers the numbers 1 to 5 indicate the refrigerant power with the higher the number, the colder the machine will be.
What is the ideal number between 1 to 5 for your fridge?
Generally speaking the more food you have in your fridge, the higher the number will need to be. If you have a lot of food 3 or 4 may be appropriate. If you don’t tend to store a much food then 1 or 2 may suffice.
Remember that a lower temperature doesn’t necessarily mean better food storage conditions. If the temperature is too low for the amount of food you have in the fridge you could frost burn your food. Although not harmful, the food may not necessarily have the same taste and texture.
In addition if the temperature is too high, ice may form in the fridge which could cause you problem with running it. When ice forms it could prevent air circulation.
Is 7 Degrees Celsius Cold Enough For A Fridge?
How do I know what temperature my fridge is?
The easiest way to find out what the temperature of your fridge is, is to use a thermometer.
For the fridge you can – place a thermometer in a glass of water in the fridge, leave it overnight and then check the temperature.
Why is my fridge not cold enough?
If your fridge is not cold enough you may be finding that your food is going off well before its use by date.
It usually means that the unit struggling to keep the temperature low enough to chill your food sufficiently.
This may be due to issues with the condenser coils or perhaps an overworked motor.
There are a few options for places to defrost food; the fridge, kitchen counter, defrost setting on the microwave or even running it under cold water.
However, the best place to defrost your food is the fridge. This is because the whole time the food is being defrosted its temperature is being kept outside the “Danger Zone”. The UK Food Standards Agency states that “bacteria usually grow in the ‘Danger Zone’ between 8°C and 60°C. Below 8°C, growth is stopped or significantly slowed down. Above 60°C the bacteria start to die.”
Make sure you plan enough time for the food to thaw as it can typically take up to day. A good way to do it is to take food out of the freezer the night before you need it or in the morning if you’ll need it in the evening.
These 4 hour slow cooked pork ribs are fall off the bone delicious. The time spent preparing and slow cooking these tasty pork ribs will be well worth it!
By the time you’re done, the succulent meat will be falling off the bone and straight into your mouth!
Ingredients
Pork Ribs
Lemon x1
Oregano x1 Tablespoons
Black Ground Pepper x1 Tablespoon
Honey x1 Tablespoon
Ginger x10g (Grated)
Hoisin Sauce x 2 Tablespoons
Teriyaki Sauce x3 Tablespoons
Soy Sauce x2 Tablespoons
Method
Place pork ribs in hotpot dish and wash with water. Leave a small amount of water at the bottom of dish.
Squeeze lemon into the mix.
Add oregano, black pepper, honey and ginger. Place lid on hotpot dish and stir vigorously.
Add honey, hoisin sauce, teriyaki sauce and soy sauce.
Place dish into slow cooker and set timer for 4 hours on high heat.
Once completed, move ribs onto oven tray.
Move ribs into pre-heated oven tray. Leave in the oven at 180°C for 45 minutes or until golden brown/colour you like.
Serve with a side of roasted potatoes/sweet butter
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