3. Bottles of Oil, Wine, or Liquor
Many homeowners use the top of the fridge to display bottles of decorative wine, liquor, or cooking oils like olive oil. This is a very poor storage choice for two main reasons.
- Instability and Damage: The refrigerator motor causes a constant, low-level vibration. This vibration can cause bottles to subtly shift over time, increasing the risk that they will eventually tip over and break, creating a dangerous and messy cleanup.
- Loss of Quality: Heat is the enemy of quality oil and alcohol. The heat rising from the appliance can quickly affect the composition of olive oil and wine, causing them to “spoil or lose flavor” much faster than if they were kept cool.
Better option: Store all alcohol and oils in a dark, cool cabinet or a dedicated wine rack, safely away from any heat sources like the stove or the fridge itself.
4. Cookbooks or Paper Products
- Fire Risk: Since the refrigerator generates heat and has electrical cords that can sometimes spark, placing highly flammable materials like “Paper and cardboard” directly on top significantly increases the fire risk in your kitchen.
- Dirt and Mess: Paper easily attracts and holds kitchen mess. Grease and dust accumulate very quickly on paper, making it a “magnet for mess” and unhygienic.
Better option: Keep all cookbooks and important recipes on a sturdy kitchen shelf or in a drawer.
5. Heavy Pots and Pans
Continue reading…
