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As more people moved into cities and further away from food sources, household refrigerators became a necessity. So in 1834, the world got its first working vapor-compression refrigeration system. The first commercial ice-making machine was invented in 1854. And in 1913, refrigerators for home use were introduced.
But as we learned how to preserve our resources more efficiently, we got more and more creative with it, too. So when Reddit user Monk_Never_Dies asked everyone on the platform, "What is something commonly refrigerated, [but] actually doesn't need to be?" the replies came flying in. Here are some of the most popular ones.
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#2
Nutella in the fridge should be a major felony. Who tf wants rock hard Nutella?
Bored Lady On The Run 2 years ago
Saw this somewhere that someone would spread Nutella on the parchment paper. About a dozen or more, they shaped them in a nice thinly board. Chilled it overnight, then they used it to crackle its bits for ice cream. For me I would have eaten it in one sitting.
#3
Tomatoes. They'll stay edible longer in the fridge, but they'll instantly lose all their flavor when chilled.
My mother grew up relatively poor and so has it ingrained to never risk wasting food. She'll always refrigerate tomatoes (and even bananas!) despite my attempts to convince her otherwise.
#4
Bread. We put it in the fridge bc my precious little douche bags (cats) like to take chomps out of the bag.
#5
I leave avocados out until they’re the perfect ripeness, then I put them in the fridge and they last ages in the perfect state
#6
Peanut butter. Why people do it, I don't know.
Cynthia Carter 2 years ago
We buy the kind you have to stir- just peanuts, no hydrogenated oils, sugar etc-and it will separate if we don't keep it in the fridge.
#7
Pickles, but they're much better if they are.
#8
Store-bought mayonnaise.
I was raised in the South, and my mother (born in 1924) was kind of obsessed with the idea that mayonnaise left out of the refrigerator would "turn" and grow a bunch of salmonella. We were repeatedly cautioned to be sure to return the mayonnaise jar to the fridge immediately. (When Mom was a girl, mayonnaise was homemade out of raw egg yolks, lemon juice, salt and cooking oil.)
Then I took a food safety course (I was an RN and got assigned to be the safety inspector at my hospital) and to my great surprise the county food safety instructor told us that unrefrigerated commercial mayonnaise only very rarely was ever a problem.
I still don't trust it though. (My mama never steered me wrong, I don't care *what* the county food safety guy says.)
Jack and Coke 2 years ago
Just checked my mayo jar and it says to refrigerate after opening. I think I'll follow the directions.
#9
Onions or potatoes. Honestly most produce doesn’t necessarily need to go in the fridge but it does help it last longer
#11
When I got married my wife showed me that butter can just sit there right on the counter, even right next to the stove, forever. What is this conspiracy to make people think butter needs to be refrigerated? Is it by the margarine makers to sell their stuff as a softer alternative to butter?
#12
Bananas
Shyla Bouche 2 years ago
Bananas are good frozen, covered in chocolate sauce, and rolled in cereal crumbs.
#14
Vinegar
#15
Ketchup but I like mine cold
Raumpfleger 2 years ago
Depends. Once the bottle is opened it will het sour over time. I used to put mine in the fridge, but thats not necessary anymore since we have kids.
#16
Maple syrup
Growing up it was always in the fridge. When my husband and I met he questioned me on it. I had no idea it wasn’t needed.
Rebekah Krause 2 years ago
Maple syrup definitely needs to be refrigerated, says a woman who was also told this and watched mold grow on a $40 bottle of pure maple syrup. Pancake syrup does not.
#17
Keeping onions in the fridge greatly reduces tears when cutting onions
Faern Grey 2 years ago
Sharp knives are a better way to cut down on the tears. The more you damage the onion, the more it makes your eyes water.
#19
Hot sauce. All the restaurants leave it out but I feel like most people stick it in the fridge.
unfilteredCigarette73 2 years ago
I leave Louisiana style, like Crystal's for example, out after opening but all the other stuff goes in the fridge. Louisiana style has so much vinegar and pepper it's not gonna turn.
#20
Strawberries go bad much faster once refrigerated. Grocery stores greatly reduce shelf life by refrigerating them before you even get the chance to buy the darn berries
Frank Hassler 2 years ago
Strawberries tend to go bad because of mold around here, so refrigeration slows that down.
#21
Pineapples, my mom tried to refrigerate a whole pineapple once and i had to lecture her about how you are supposed to leave them out
#22
Pepto Bismol. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated but it tastes just awful if it isn’t.
Shyla Bouche 2 years ago
It tastes like pink liquidated chalk, no matter what temperature it is.
#25
Most cheeses are fine to be left out - you just cut away any moldy/dried-out bits, and you’re good to go. NOTE: this does not apply to intentionally moldy cheeses like blues and Gorgonzola, or softer cheese like Brie. It’s for hard cheeses only (Parmesan, cheddar, etc.), which can still last longer when refrigerated too
#26
I don't know if its commonly refrigerated but I do remember getting in an argument with my college roommate about needing to refrigerate jelly/jam.
You don't. It'll last a long long long time in the pantry.
Rebekah Krause 2 years ago
Only if it’s not opened! Don’t do this with open jam or jelly. Especially if you’re double dipping your knife between spreads.
#27
Orange juice. I found out they don't refrigerate it over in France. That freaked me out.
What do you think ?
Elita One 2 years ago
This list doesn't take climate into consideration. I'm Australian, it's hot, fruit, vegetables, bread and condiments don't last in the heat so they have to be refrigerated. I'm more than happy to loose a bit of flavor so my food lasts longer.
Jay Son 2 years ago
Plus a greater risk for nasty bugs if you leave those things out in warmer climates.
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Oerff On Tour 2 years ago
In Europe it's quite easy: whatever is refrigerated in the supermarket, you keep in the fridge. Everything that isn't, stays out. When opened, check the label where to store it.
Elita One 2 years ago
This list doesn't take climate into consideration. I'm Australian, it's hot, fruit, vegetables, bread and condiments don't last in the heat so they have to be refrigerated. I'm more than happy to loose a bit of flavor so my food lasts longer.
Jay Son 2 years ago
Plus a greater risk for nasty bugs if you leave those things out in warmer climates.
Load More Replies... Oerff On Tour 2 years ago
In Europe it's quite easy: whatever is refrigerated in the supermarket, you keep in the fridge. Everything that isn't, stays out. When opened, check the label where to store it.
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