--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A fridge is basically just a big, cold…" description: "\"A fridge is basically just a big, cold box with a few shelves in it, right? Well, that's true, but where you store food in the fridge can have quite an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87f/j-kenji-lopez-alt-5948_cold_a-fridge-is-basically-just-a-big-cold-bo_216181.jpg" --- # A fridge is basically just a big, cold box with a few… ![“A fridge is basically just a big, cold box with a few shelves in it, right? Well, that's true, but where you store food in the fridge can have quite an impact on its shelf life.” quote by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87f/j-kenji-lopez-alt-5948_cold_a-fridge-is-basically-just-a-big-cold-bo_216181.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87f/j-kenji-lopez-alt-5948_cold_a-fridge-is-basically-just-a-big-cold-bo_216181.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87f/j-kenji-lopez-alt-5948_cold_a-fridge-is-basically-just-a-big-cold-bo_216181.jpg) > “A fridge is basically just a big, cold box with a few shelves in it, right? Well, that's true, but where you store food in the fridge can have quite an impact on its shelf life.” [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Where you place items inside a refrigerator affects temperature exposure, humidity, and airflow, influencing how long food stays fresh. **In simple terms:** Food placement changes freshness. Key Takeaway Organize food by temperature zones and airflow. Themes food safety efficiency science Mood practical analytical Type instructional educational When to use this quote - grocery stocking - meal prep - kitchen design - food storage Key Concepts thermodynamics food preservation home organization Questions to Reflect On - Which foods benefit most from the coldest spots? - How can you test your fridge’s temperature zones? A Different Perspective Not all fridges have uniform cooling; results may vary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Shelf life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shelf-life/) ## Related quotes > [I know what it's like not to have food in the fridge or money to buy more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalia-vodianova/i-know-what-it-s-like-not-to-have-food-in-the-fridge-or-money-to-buy/) [Natalia Vodianova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalia-vodianova/) > [Hiding your favorite food somewhere in the fridge from the rest of your family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hiding-your-favorite-food-somewhere-in-the-fridge-from-the-rest-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you're good, you'll get work. And if I've got food in my fridge and clothes on my back, I'll be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hero-fiennes-tiffin/if-you-re-good-you-ll-get-work-and-if-i-ve-got-food-in-my-fridge-and/) [Hero Fiennes-Tiffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hero-fiennes-tiffin/) > [Admit it. You hide your favorite food somewhere in the fridge from the rest of your family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/admit-it-you-hide-your-favorite-food-somewhere-in-the-fridge-from-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've never had food in my fridge. All I have in my fridge is one shelf of Canada Dry ginger ale, Diet Cokes on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-berlin/i-ve-never-had-food-in-my-fridge-all-i-have-in-my-fridge-is-one-shelf/) [Brigid Berlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-berlin/) > [Organizing your fridge for maximum efficiency - in terms of food shelf life, food safety, and easy access to the things you reach for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/organizing-your-fridge-for-maximum-efficiency-in-terms-of-food-shelf/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [“People who put avocados in the fridge are basically saying, 'I want to eventually experience something less amazing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregor-collins/people-who-put-avocados-in-the-fridge-are-basically-saying-i-want-to/) [Gregor Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregor-collins/) > [The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-revelation-to-store-food-may-be-as-essential-to-our-temporal/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [We should lay in a store of food, but never of pleasures; these should be gathered day by day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ninon-de-l-enclos/we-should-lay-in-a-store-of-food-but-never-of-pleasures-these-should/) [Ninon de L'Enclos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ninon-de-l-enclos/) > [From the standpoint of food production, storage, handling, and the Lord’s counsel, wheat should have high priority. Water, of course, is essential. Other basics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/from-the-standpoint-of-food-production-storage-handling-and-the-lord/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“Store food is food designed to be stored and transported over long distances, and the surest way to make food more stable and less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/store-food-is-food-designed-to-be-stored-and-transported-over-long/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Keep food in the fridge, so it don't go stale. When there is nothing left to eat, I bite my nails.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-daddy-kane/keep-food-in-the-fridge-so-it-don-t-go-stale-when-there-is-nothing/) [Big Daddy Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-daddy-kane/) > [After you've cut back everything else, food is the last to go. I didn't mind putting an extra jumper on if I had food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-monroe/after-you-ve-cut-back-everything-else-food-is-the-last-to-go-i-didn-t/) [Jack Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-monroe/) > [There are a number of things that can cause your fridge to break down or lose power: electrical shorts or surges, clogged ventilation, et…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/there-are-a-number-of-things-that-can-cause-your-fridge-to-break-down/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [“They were ticking off items on a to-do list that was magnet-attached to the fridge. There were nineteen items on the list. They'd crossed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pavone/they-were-ticking-off-items-on-a-to-do-list-that-was-magnet-attached/) [Chris Pavone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pavone/) ## More by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt > [No matter how many great things you say about Jacques Pepin, there's always more. Through his books and videos, he taught me the importance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/no-matter-how-many-great-things-you-say-about-jacques-pepin-there-s/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [The good news is that even if your early crepes have funny lumps and bulges or aren't paper-thin, they're still gonna be plenty edible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/the-good-news-is-that-even-if-your-early-crepes-have-funny-lumps-and/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [A tempura batter has a lifespan of only moments before the flour becomes too saturated with water and a fresh batter must be made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/a-tempura-batter-has-a-lifespan-of-only-moments-before-the-flour/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [Many call for cooking pasta directly in milk, a technique that works okay, but it can lead to scorching if you're not super careful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/many-call-for-cooking-pasta-directly-in-milk-a-technique-that-works/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [Cooking for a family, and specifically cooking to stimulate exploration of new flavors and textures, has led to mealtimes that are both healthier and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/cooking-for-a-family-and-specifically-cooking-to-stimulate/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [Kids do gross things. For several months, mine would combine everything on her plate into a single bowl, pour her drink on top of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/kids-do-gross-things-for-several-months-mine-would-combine-everything/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [An ice cream sundae isn't complete without a crunchy element.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/an-ice-cream-sundae-isn-t-complete-without-a-crunchy-element/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [Generally, if two ingredients sound like they're going to taste bad together, they're probably going to taste bad together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/generally-if-two-ingredients-sound-like-they-re-going-to-taste-bad/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [My first restaurant job was Knight of the Round Grill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/my-first-restaurant-job-was-knight-of-the-round-grill/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [There was a lightbulb moment as soon as I walked in the kitchen and started working. I love the physical action. I love the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/there-was-a-lightbulb-moment-as-soon-as-i-walked-in-the-kitchen-and/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [I have very strong opinions about bagels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/i-have-very-strong-opinions-about-bagels/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [My job on that first day, like for most green cooks, was official kitchen gofer. Whatever any other cook needed doing, I did it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/my-job-on-that-first-day-like-for-most-green-cooks-was-official/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [For creamy sea urchin pasta recipes, the typical process is to saute garlic, shallots, and chilies in olive oil, then add the pasta and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/for-creamy-sea-urchin-pasta-recipes-the-typical-process-is-to-saute/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [Fattier, expensive cuts like prime rib or New York strip are celebratory centerpieces that do best when simply roasted with salt and pepper and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/fattier-expensive-cuts-like-prime-rib-or-new-york-strip-are/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) > [So in order to make a large volume of sausage, you need to have a dedicated refrigerated room, where you can grind and mix…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-kenji-lopez-alt/so-in-order-to-make-a-large-volume-of-sausage-you-need-to-have-a/) [J. Kenji Lopez-Alt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) [Explore all 100 J. Kenji Lopez-Alt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-kenji-lopez-alt/) ## More Cold quotes > [Once ye made up yer mind to do somethin', 'tis better t'stumble o'er the small hillock of jump-ahead than t'bash yer head on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/once-ye-made-up-yer-mind-to-do-somethin-tis-better-t-stumble-o-er-the/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ortiz/from-the-bitter-cold-winter-at-valley-forge-to-the-mountains-of/) [Solomon Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ortiz/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [Of course Messi could handle a cold Tuesday night in Stoke. He'd be drinking tea and relaxing beforehand. Me? I'd probably be the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/of-course-messi-could-handle-a-cold-tuesday-night-in-stoke-he-d-be/) [Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/) > [This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day \[as a Fairfax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mason/this-cold-weather-has-set-all-the-young-folks-to-providing-bedfellows/) [George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mason/) > [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/) [Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/) > [You start playing when it's cold and you want to be playing when it's cold again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimy-williams/you-start-playing-when-it-s-cold-and-you-want-to-be-playing-when-it-s/) Jimy Williams > [It would be a piece of ingenuousness to accuse the man of today of his lack of moral code. The accusation would leave him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ortega-y-gasset/it-would-be-a-piece-of-ingenuousness-to-accuse-the-man-of-today-of/) [Jose Ortega y Gasset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ortega-y-gasset/) > [I would have touched it like a child But knew my finger could but have touched Cold stone and water. I grew wild, Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/i-would-have-touched-it-like-a-child-but-knew-my-finger-could-but/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [What's to become of the morally sound? Left out in the cold, I suppose. We must heal the sick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henrik-ibsen/what-s-to-become-of-the-morally-sound-left-out-in-the-cold-i-suppose/) [Henrik Ibsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henrik-ibsen/) > [When I first started, all the reviews of Cold Chisel would say, 'This singer won't have a voice in six months.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-barnes/when-i-first-started-all-the-reviews-of-cold-chisel-would-say-this/) [Jimmy Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-barnes/) > [One of the problems trying to play an instrument outside in the cold is your fingers give up on you and you can't wear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-macdonald/one-of-the-problems-trying-to-play-an-instrument-outside-in-the-cold/) [Amy Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-macdonald/) > [God tempers the cold to the shorn sheep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-etienne-sainte-claire-deville/god-tempers-the-cold-to-the-shorn-sheep/) Henri Etienne Sainte-Claire Deville > [Those nights lying alone are not discontinuous with this cold hectic dawn. It is who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-carson/those-nights-lying-alone-are-not-discontinuous-with-this-cold-hectic/) [Anne Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-carson/) [Browse all 5,381 Cold quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A fridge is basically just a big, cold box with a few shelves in it, right? Well, that's true, but where you store food in the fridge can have quite an impact on its shelf life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J. 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