20 Things You Should Never Keep in Your Pantry
Discover the top 20 items that should never be kept in your pantry to ensure your food stays fresh and your kitchen organized.
- Chris Graciano
- 5 min read
Pantries offer a convenient place to keep all your food organized, but as we now know, not everything should be kept there. Improper storage of food can lead to a whole lot of drawbacks, like spoilage or even illness. So to avoid that, this article aims to provide insight on 20 common foods you most likely have in your pantry right now that you should really be stored elsewhere.
1. Bread
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Bread tends to get bad really fast when left in the pantry. Storing it in the fridge is also a no-go since it will make it go stale, which doesn’t taste right at all. However, keeping it in the freezer is the best option to extend your bread’s freshness.
2. Nuts
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If you have nuts in your pantry, you should transfer them to your fridge right now. They become rancid if kept in the pantry, especially when exposed to heat.
3. Chocolate
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Storing chocolate in your pantry is an excellent way to soften it over time and eventually cause it to melt. If you’re not trying to do that, keep them in your fridge so that chocolate remains firm and delicious because it’s only good when it melts in your hand.
4. Oils
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Now, this doesn’t apply to all kinds of oil. We’re talking about olive and walnut oil. If you have any of the two in your pantry, they can get rancid fast, especially when the temperature’s warm. Store them in a dark and cool spot, like inside a cabinet or the fridge.
5. Certain Fruits and Vegetables
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It’s essential to keep fruits such as apples and bananas and vegetables like potatoes and onions far away from other produce and from each other. They emit ethylene gas, which can cause other foods to spoil faster. Please place them in a well-ventilated spot outside of your pantry.
6. Tomato-based Products
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When stored in your pantry, products such as tomato sauce and paste can leave an off taste in your mouth once you open them. So, as soon as you close the lid or cap, go straight for the fridge.
7. Coffee Beans
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Do not expose your coffee beans to light and air; it will make them stale. Who wants to drink stale coffee? So, store them in an airtight jar and place them in an excellent, dark spot.
8. Honey
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While honey can be stored at room temperature, it should be kept away from heat sources to prevent crystallization. Also, please keep it in a container with a tight lid.
9. Mayonnaise and Ketchup
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Condiments like ketchup and mayonnaise can spoil quickly once you open them and keep them in your pantry. It’s much better to leave them in the fridge after use to prolong their shelf life.
10. Wine
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Before you, wine drinkers, get angry, we’re talking about an opened wine bottle. Leaving it at room temperature can reduce its quality significantly. So refrigerating it is the best way to maintain its taste. But also remember to put back the cork before putting it in the fridge. Also, it’s best to have a wine cooler as the temperature remains constant.
11. Maple Syrup
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Store them directly in the fridge after opening to prevent spoiling your maple syrup. Keeping it at room temperature can cause mold to develop.
12. Peanut Butter
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You can leave your regular store-bought peanut butter in your pantry. But if you have homemade peanut butter without preservatives, store them in the fridge. This prevents the oils from separating.
13. Fresh Herbs
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Fresh herbs can wilt and spoil when left in a dry pantry. To prevent this, wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in your refrigerator or freezer.
14. Potatoes
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When left in warm temperatures, potatoes can sprout and spoil faster than they can be used. Keeping them in a cool, dark, dry place with good ventilation is best.
15. Onions
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Onions can release moisture, which can cause mold to develop. It’s best to store them in a cool, well-ventilated area away from other produce.
16. Garlic
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Like onions, garlic needs good ventilation to avoid molding or sprouting. You can store it in a breathable container in a cool and dark spot.
17. Baking Soda and Baking Powder
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It’s best to avoid storing these leavening agents in a humid area, as doing so can cause them to lose their potency. Instead, put them in a sealed container and leave them inside a cabinet.
18. Whole Grains and Flours
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Whole grains and flour can spoil when left in warm conditions and attract pests. When you open your pantry, that won’t be a pleasant sight, so store them in your fridge or your freezer right away.
19. Vinegar-Based Hot Sauces
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They could lose their flavor if you leave vinegar-based hot sauces in your pantry. So after using them, remember to put them in the fridge so they remain hot and spicy.
20. Probiotics and Supplements
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We’re not talking about all probiotics and supplements, but some do spoil over time when left at room temperature. Always check the labels and store them in the fridge if needed.