Refrigerator expert at AO.com, Sarah Heaps debunks some of the trends that have gone viral in recent weeks on TikTok, the popular social media platform known for its short videos. But while some trends are harmless fun, others can actually pose health risks. Here, Sarah offers essential tips to ensure your fridge and food are well-maintained and safe.
Sarah highlights that whilst some TikTok has become a hub for viral trends, they can actually be damaging for your appliance and your health.
The ‘Tiramisu drawer’ trend
“The viral ‘Tiramisu drawer’ trend on TikTok has everyone eager to use their fridge to chill and serve desserts directly from a small drawer.
“If you haven’t seen it yet, users repurpose a small fridge drawer to store and serve desserts. However, this trend can backfire.
“Some fridge drawers are not designed to hold the weight of desserts and may break or fall when loaded, creating a mess inside your fridge.
“To safely enjoy this trend, consider using a sturdy, food-safe container that can support the weight of your dessert. Alternatively, place the container on a stable shelf in the fridge. This way, you can still indulge in chilled desserts without risking damage to your appliance.”
Pet food prep
“Pets are a big draw on TikTok leading to numerous trends involving pet care. For example, dog food prep videos are a hit and feature ingredients like duck feet, raw egg, ground beef, chicken hearts, beef kidney, broccoli, and orange slices.
“However, many pet owners admit to storing raw pet food loosely in the fridge – alongside ingredients for human consumption – which poses health risks for both you and your pet. Storing wet, open pet food in the fridge longer than recommended can lead to bacteria and illnesses like E. Coli, as well as cross contamination between pet food and human food.
“To keep you and your pet safe, store opened wet pet food in plastic containers in a separate space from your food, such as door shelves or the top shelf. Remember, if it’s been in the fridge for over three days, it’s time to throw it away.”
Over-organisation
“Organisation is key to maximising fridge space and reducing food waste. TikTok is full of ASMR and cleaning videos that go viral, like the creative ice cube videos with fruit inside and stocking your fridge back up after a grocery shop.
“Organising your fridge is so important as it helps you utilise space efficiently and keep track of food expiration dates, ultimately saving money and reducing food waste.
“However, over-organisation is a big trend on TikTok that, whilst it looks aesthetically pleasing, can do more harm than good for your appliance.
“Fridges work by circulating cool air to keep food fresh. So if food has been decanted into lots of different containers and jars to look visually attractive, then this means the fridge needs to work harder to keep food cool.
“There’s also TikTok trends that use different compartments in fridges for more creative recipes, such as mixing drinks in vegetable drawers. Whilst this is fun, it’s not what the appliance is designed for, and can impact performance.
“Fridge door shelves are best used for liquids and sauces and the bottom drawer for fruits and vegetables. You don’t need to spend a fortune separating the main food groups; affordable storage bins and tubs from local supermarkets like Aldi and Home Bargains can do the trick.
“Proper organisation not only saves money but also reduces bacteria like mould and lactic acid, which can cause illnesses. It’s crucial to keep your fridge clean and safe for everyone in your household.”
For more advice on how to make the most of your fridge appliance, visit the AO.com refrigeration hub.
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