How Long Will Stored Food Last?

Storing Foods

"How long will stored food actually last?"

All foods are perishable to some extent although there are many ways to preserve and store them. Most things can be kept for some time.

Whether it be leftovers from dinner, fresh meat or produce, or frozen packaged food, food which cannot be immediately consumed are stored in the refrigerator or freezer to prolong their shelf life. But how long can stored food actually last?

Breads, cakes and baked products

• Fresh breads and rolls: A maximum of three months in the freezer.
• Biscuits and cookies: Up to three months in the freezer.
• Cakes: Six months in the freezer.

Cheese and Dairy Products

• Cottage Cheese: Five days in the refrigerator.
• Regular Cheese: Soft cheese can stay in the refrigerator for two weeks and in the freezer for four months; while hard cheese can stay in the refrigerator for three to four months and in the freezer for six months.
• Butter: Two weeks in the refrigerator for two weeks; six to nine months in the freezer.
• Margarine: Six to 12 months in the refrigerator.
• Ice cream: One to three months in the freezer.

Eggs

• Whole eggs: Four weeks in the refrigerator; and nine to 12 months in the freezer.
• Egg whites: Two to four days in the refrigerator; nine to 12 months in the freezer.
• Egg yolk: Two to three days in the refrigerator; nine to 12 months in the freezer.

Fish and shellfish

• Raw fish: One to two days in the refrigerator; four to eight months in the freezer.
• Raw shellfish: Only one day in the refrigerator; three months in the freezer.

Meat

• Fresh chops: Pork chops can stay in the refrigerator for three to five days and in the freezer for three to four months; while lamb chops can stay in the refrigerator for three to five days and in the freezer for six to nine months.
• Beef steaks: Three to five days in the refrigerator; six to 12 months in the freezer.
• Fresh Roast: Beef roasts can last from six to 12 months in the freezer, lamb roasts from six to nine months, pork and veal roasts from four to eight months. They can be stored in the refrigerator for three to five days.
• Cooked meat and meat dishes: Three to four days in the refrigerator; two to three months in the freezer.
• Bacon strips: One week in the refrigerator; one month in the freezer.
• Frankfurters and hotdogs: In the refrigerator, a sealed package can keep for two weeks while an opened package lasts for only one week. Store in the freezer for one to two months.
• Ham: One week in the refrigerator; one to two months in the freezer.
• Luncheon meat: In the refrigerator, a sealed package can stay for two weeks but an opened package stays for only three to five days; Up to two months in the freezer.

Pies

• Unbaked pies: Two to four months in the freezer.
• Baked pies: Six to eight months in the freezer.

Poultry

• Fresh whole chicken: One to two days in the refrigerator and 12 months in the freezer.
• Fresh chicken pieces: One to two days in the refrigerator and up to six months in the freezer.
• Fresh whole duck: One to two days in the refrigerator and six months in the freezer.
• Cooked paltry dishes: Three to four days in the refrigerator; four to six months in the freezer.

Soups

• Soups: One to three months in the freezer.
• Casseroles: Two to four weeks in the freezer.
• Stews: One to three months in the freezer.

Small Kitchen Remodeling Basics for Beginners

Small Kitchen Remodeling

"The kitchen is the most versatile area in your house and is considered as its centerpiece"


It is important that you study closely every small kitchen remodeling ideas that you think of once you decide to do kitchen renovation. The kitchen is the most versatile area in your house and is considered as its centerpiece. This is where you regularly prepare meals and feed your family, engage in family oriented activities, store supplies, pack kitchen service wares and household items.


If you have a kitchen with restricted space and have a relatively limited budget for your kitchen remodeling, you need to draw up a good plan first before making your design or hooking up with a kitchen remodeling contractor. Remember these three important “Never” before you draft your kitchen remodel plan.

• Never disregard the three basic kitchen functions, i.e., storage, food preparation, and clean-up. In your kitchen renovation, you must integrate each of these three functions in your kitchen design. Convenience and unconstrained movement must be given prime importance. You may use the space work triangle concept where the three kitchen features often used in the kitchen namely the kitchen sink, refrigerator and stove are arranged in a triangular pattern. This layout design saves unnecessary steps when you move around your kitchen.

• Never ignore to incorporate more than one work center in your kitchen remodeling plan. More than one person must be able to work efficiently in the kitchen at one time. Increase convenient work space by setting up a self-standing chopping block and a service island. Place a free counter space at the other end of the kitchen. Allow a second person to lend a hand in preparing meals by place there a cutting board but without the two people getting in the way of each other. Since the kitchen area is limited, separate the microwave oven and stove to create an extra work place.

• Never fail to consider in your kitchen remodel ideas those space-saving built-in appliances whenever possible. These type of appliances not only save space, but increase convenience as well. There are new appliance models that comes with numerous add-on features and meant to save you space. Consider a refrigerator with a built-in water dispenser so you won’t have to stock your fridge with water containers. A trash compactor, garbage disposal, dishwasher, cook tops or ovens that can either be installed against the wall or be free-standing, which makes them easier to move around. Go in for the installation of a kitchen cabinet that stretches up to the ceiling. Place seldom used objects in the top most shelf of the cabinet.

You may also take into account these other things. For your kitchen flooring, consider using sheet vinyl which is preferred by many nowadays because they are cheaper and is much easier to clean. Wood floors or ceramic tiles, although more pricey, are also good choices. Likewise, play close attention to your kitchen lighting, kitchen sink design and kitchen counter top in your kitchen renovation design.

With your limited space and budget, it must best suit your kitchen remodel requirements whatever your choice maybe. Room functionality, convenience, and ease of movement must be given prime importance. What is equally important, seek professional advice from a qualified and licensed small kitchen remodeling contractor for your kitchen remodel ideas as well.