If you have problems using perishable foods before they become spoiled, you are certainly not alone. In 2010, last year, federal government data was available, 13.3 billion pounds Food waste has been generated in the US. 40% of food was produced. It’s no wonder that 39% of Americans say they feel guilty about wasting their food.
According to Natural Resources Defense Councilabout two-thirds of household food waste are caused by corruption. In 2024, the Biden administration announced a National Strategy for Reducing Food Waste and Recycling Organic Matters To address the problem. Trump White House Apparently they are ready to continue the programsince it focused on food waste during the first period Better to reduce food waste Initiative for 2018.
So, to help reduce Usted Food (and inflated grocery bills), Earth911 has put together this list of creative kitchen tools to help keep your food fresher. We also offer handy DIY alternatives for each of these fun food saving gadgets if you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to buy something new.
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1. Store vegetables
Did you know about its storage? Some vegetables – Potatoes, onions, garlic, etc. – In reality, can you ruin them faster in the fridge? Most root vegetables are cool, but last the longest in dry places that aren’t as cold as the average fridge.
Most of us don’t have a root cellar, so the best way to give root vegetables to longer shelves is to keep them cool and away from the light to prevent buds.
Evriholder’s Keep Sacks Potatoes too, onionand Garlic It can easily keep vegetables in the dark. Simply add the vegetables to the top and remove them from the bottom when you’re ready to use.
DIY alternatives: If you don’t want to buy new items to store vegetables, store onions and potatoes in paper or fabric bags in cupboards or pantry. Skip the plastic bag. Paper and fabric are more breathable and help to prevent rot.
Tip: Do not store potatoes and onions together. When the potatoes ripen, they release moisture and gas so that the onions will ruin them more quickly.
2. Cheese safe
Cheese is one of the hardest foods to keep fresh. If your cheddar, gouda, or Parmesan cheese doesn’t develop mold, they are often mushy and dry, so this is equally unappetizing. Experts will keep you away from plastic wrap. Smooth the cheese It conveys an unpleasant plastic flavor.
Cheese safe Capabunga makes cheese breathe and prevents moisture buildup, making cheese fresh and tasty. A cheese vault made from reusable BPA-free silicone makes it easy to track the time you have cheese. Write the cheese name and date with a ballpoint pen on the edge of the label. Wipe off easily to label the next cheese.
DIY alternatives: To store the cheese without purchasing a new gadget, wrap the cheese tightly in wax paper before storing it in the fridge. This method allows you to breathe cheese from the refrigerator without excessive moisture or odor.
3. Pop container
Keeping half-empty bags of cereals, pretzels and other dry food in your pantry is often old and tasteless, so just say.
After opening the original packaging, do not throw old snacks, pasta or other pantry picks by transferring the dried food into an airtight container.
these Oxo’s “Pop” Container There are 11 stackable shapes and sizes for a simple pantry organization. The innovative pop button mechanism creates an airtight seal and doubles as the handle.
DIY alternatives: Pick up some to avoid new purchases Mason Jar From a local thrift store for airtight pantry storage. Or rescue some large glass jars, such as those used to package pickles and pasta sauces from recycled bins, and reuse them as storage solutions.
4. Bread Holder Box
There’s nothing like freshly baked bread. But how do you keep breads, bagels, rolls and other baked goods fresh? Depending on where you call the house, the kitchen air will dry the bread and make it old. In humid climates, baked goods can be too wet and may begin developing mold earlier than usual.
So, what should we do? Contrary to popular belief, storing bread in the fridge actually makes it It’ll ruin it faster. The inside of the fridge extracts moisture from the baked goods and becomes old. Your best bet is to store the bread at the kitchen counter using containers that regulate airflow.
this Expandable Pankeeper It expands from progressive to up to 11 inches to accommodate most pan sizes. It features adjustable vents that regulate airflow and keep your baked goods fresh.
DIY alternatives: Wrap the baked goods Fabric bags, tea towels or old pillowcases Keep it at the counter Airtight containerlike a reused popcorn can. If you don’t eat bread within a few days, wrap it. It freezes Before the quality starts to drop.
5. Fresh herb preserver
Just like fresh cut flowers, fresh herbs stored in water sources retain their flavor and texture for longer than when loosened in a fridge or countertop.
Nobert Glass Fresh Herb Keeper Herbs can stand upright and comfortably spaced on stems soaked in water for hydration. For convenience, the herb keeper fits perfectly inside the fridge door.
DIY alternatives: Soft herbs such as parsley, basil and coriander remain fresh for the longest time Store at the counter Glass filled with about 1 inch of water. Cut the stems before placing the herbs in the glass. For a longer shelf life, put leafless herbs such as rosemary, sage, and thyme in a damp towel and store them in a reusable shopping bag in your fridge.
6. Garlic Keeper
Just like vampires, garlic prefers darkness. both Light and moisture can cause mold grow up. And refrigerated garlic can sprout and cause bitter taste. For best results, have ample air circulation for garlic in dry, dark places.
To get rid of the guesswork even when storing garlic, check out this clever thing Garlic KeeperKeeps delicious bulbs in the dark and maximizes freshness. Special holes require proper ventilation garlic to stay fresh and eliminate unwanted oxidation and moisture.
DIY alternatives: To mimic the effects of this cool garlic keeper without buying brand new items, store garlic in a dark place with air circulation, such as inside the pantry.
Tip: Do not store garlic in an airtight container. Fresh bulbs can be stored in wire or mesh baskets or in paper bags. Make sure the bulbs are away from the sunlight and get enough air for fresh bites for the next few weeks.
7. Onion Saver
Understanding how to properly store cut onions is a common kitchen challenge. Certainly, you want to save that unused onion from last night’s dinner. However, it can be difficult to remember to use them before the onions disappear immediately after they are cut off and ruin them.
Once you have cut the onions, you should always move them from the pantry storage to the fridge to keep them fresh. Too much air can oxidize exposed onions, leading to discoloration and a rather nasty flavor, so you’ll also want to choose an airtight container for storage.
Cut and maintain the onion saver The Oxo has a silicone lid that is stretchy to fit the size of the cut onion. Closed to seal, so you can place the onion in the fridge without causing any odor situations. This cute onion savings is great for saving fridge space, and reminds you to stand out and use the cut onions from the rest of the fridge and more quickly.
DIY alternatives: If you don’t want to buy a new one, the airtight storage container will accomplish the same job.
8. Avocado holder
How do you save the other half from cutting the avocado in half and then turning brown without using plastic wrap?
BPA-free plastic Evriholder Avo Saver Covers half of the avocado, pits, etc. cut edges. The durable rubber strap holds the Avo Saver firmly in the avocado, reducing air exposure, slowing the oxidation process, and preventing the fruit from becoming too brown. Half of your avocado is tied up safely enough to be carried in a lunch bag or picnic basket without worry.
DIY alternatives: Place half the red onion in an airtight container along with the cut avocado and refrigerate. Sulfur from onions prevents oxidation and preserves the greenery of the avocado. Another option is to have the avocado downwards and be almost full of water. Cover the container and place in the fridge.
9. Fruit and Vegetable Keeper
Some produce picks like lettuce, greens, berry, and others, but they always tend to be more corrupt than others. Reclaim all hard-to-exist productions with smart storage solutions that can extend shelf life up to two weeks.
These are useful Fruit and Vegetable Keeper Adjustable vents from progressive international features to keep your produce fresh. Leave the air vents open for agricultural products such as asparagus, carrots, berries, mushrooms, and close them for lettuce, peas, greens, grapes and peppers.
The reservoir at the bottom of the container keeps it moist and everything doubles as a colander to make cleaning and storage easier.
DIY alternatives: Separating each produce pick according to its needs is the best way to ensure maximum freshness. Check out Vegetarian Times Produced Storage Guide Find a way to properly store all your fruits and vegetables by doing better flavors and longer shelving.
10. Vacuum sealer
Vacuum sealers are a source of plastic waste, but are extremely useful for keeping food fresh. Touching the buttons, these nifty machines seal food in an airtight vacuum bag or canister for storage in a fridge, freezer, or pantry.
So you can store leftovers in the fridge for dinner last night, store a sealed sauce for pantry storage, store produce in the freezer for seasons for the coming months, and seal the seals. Use this approach sparingly to reduce plastic use.
Note that vacuum sealers can be a little more expensive than the other gadgets on the list (most ranges from $100 to $300). However, many home cooks say the benefits of saving food are worth the investment.
Check out these vacuum sealer models Food Saver and Nesco Make sure it fits your needs and budget.
DIY alternatives: It is difficult to replicate the food-saving benefits of vacuum sealers. But if you want to achieve similar results without new (or using additional cash), check this out Creative DIY methods from kitchenhelps to seal food with straws and plastic freezer bags.
Editor’s Note: Originally published on March 4th, 2016, this article was updated in April 2025.
