What are the most common myths regarding freezers and refrigerators in the Philippines? We have gathered the top five misconceptions to provide you with the facts about refrigerators and freezers so that you can be armed with the right information!

As there are currently many conflicting tips and a boatload of misinformation regarding food storage and refrigeration, we shall not only debunk five of the most common myths and provide clarity about proper refrigerator use, but also talk about refrigerator prices in the Philippines. We will also give you tips on finding the right fridge for your home.

MYTH NUMBER 5

It’s okay to leave food leftovers in the fridge for weeks.

A lot of people keep excess food in their refrigerators. This is normal, as we all try to minimize food waste as much as possible. However, how long can food stay inside the fridge? Many think that as long as the food doesn’t start to smell bad, it’s okay to leave it inside the refrigerator for even up to a few weeks.

This is not true. The maximum should be only four days, otherwise, the risk of food poisoning increases, even if there is no pungent smell. The Mayo Clinic suggests always reheat food kept in the refrigerator to prevent food poisoning, but only if the food has been there for at least four days. If you have leftovers that have been in the fridge for at least three days, and you still intend on eating them, then you better move them to the freezer, instead.

MYTH NUMBER 4

Putting baking soda inside the fridge is the best way to eliminate bad smells.

This is partly true. Baking soda does have the ability to absorb foul odors, and putting some inside the refrigerator may lessen the bad smells a little bit. However, it is not the best recourse. The best option is activated charcoal, sometimes also known as activated carbon.

Though baking soda may react with certain odor-causing compounds to reduce smells, it doesn’t react with a lot of the compounds that may be found in the fridge. Furthermore, baking soda has a small surface area, which leads to limited effectiveness.

Activated charcoal, on the other hand, absorbs odor-causing compounds more effectively and efficiently, as it has better absorption and a bigger surface area due to its numerous micro-pockets and pores. Think of activated charcoal as something similar to a vacuum cleaner that catches dust, except that it catches and traps odor-causing compounds.

MYTH NUMBER 3

It’s always best to allow frozen food to thaw at the countertop.

This is a big no-no. In most kitchens, frozen food is taken out of the refrigerator and is left to thaw at the countertop. Though this gives time for the frozen, raw food to defrost, it also allows bacteria to slowly seep onto the clean kitchen counter. This, of course, leads to a host of health concerns.

Did you know that you can allow frozen food to defrost inside the refrigerator? If you have time, you can take frozen goods out of the freezer and allow them to slowly thaw inside the fridge, instead. The fridge is also the best choice if you want to marinate the food while allowing it to defrost.

If you don’t have enough time, however, just stick the frozen food inside the microwave and set it to low.

MYTH NUMBER 2

You can know the exact temperature inside the fridge by just checking the temperature dial.

Don’t get us wrong, it’s still very important to set the refrigerator temperature by using the dial inside. However, this doesn’t mean that that will be the exact temperature inside the fridge. A refrigerator’s temperature is affected by many factors. The primary factor is a blockage in the compressor coils. Dirt and dust may build up and will cause the compressor coils to become inefficient, which means that heat may not be able to escape, and instead just flow back into the refrigerator’s interior. Aside from blocked compressor coils, blocked vents also prevent warm air from being properly released.

You should also be on the lookout for blocked temperature sensors — again, due to dust and dirt. Having a blocked thermostat sensor means that the fridge will not be able to regulate its temperature properly. If you notice sudden fluctuations in the temperature, even if you do not touch the temperature dial, then it’s a good sign of having a blocked sensor.

A refrigerator’s temperature also greatly changes whenever the fridge door is opened. Whenever it is opened too frequently or is left open for too long, the refrigerator may overcompensate and generate much colder air to meet the temperature set on the dial. Also, be sure to check the door seal to ensure that there are no leaks.

MYTH NUMBER 1

There’s no need to organize the contents of the refrigerator.

Organizing the food inside the fridge is very important because some areas of the refrigerator are cooler than others. For example, food and beverage that are placed at the door inside rack will be exposed to warmer air every time the door is opened. Also, keep in mind that warm air always rises, so the coldest part of the fridge (aside from the freezer) will always be the backmost part of the lowest shelf. Having this knowledge will allow you to organize the contents depending on how quickly they can spoil.

Your refrigerator works 24 hours a day, for seven days a week. However, it doesn’t have to be an energy-monger and cause a huge monthly electric bill. Instead, some energy-efficient models will provide more savings in the long run. Sure, it seems as if some of the energy-saving refrigerator and freezer prices in the Philippines seem steep at first, but if you click this link, then you can find the ideal refrigerator that will fit your budget while ensuring quality and long-term savings on electricity.

We at Condura strive to make the best products that suit the unique needs of Filipinos, because to us, the Filipino always comes first.