Curbstone a box for storage of vegetables of the USSR. Storing vegetables in the kitchen: the right conditions and containers

Bringing vegetables from the market or your site, you really want to keep them fresh and healthy for as long as possible. But few people know how to properly store such food so that when it is on the table it gives us all the benefits. Modern designs make it possible to solve such a complex problem very successfully and effectively, without violating the overall design of the kitchen.

Features and difficulties of storing vegetables and fruits in the kitchen

Most often, people, bringing fresh vegetables, lay them out in different places in the refrigerator, believing that this is enough for their safety. But such an approach is wrong. Not all vegetable products should be stored in a refrigerator, since low temperatures not only destroy many useful substances in them, but also quickly lead the product to rotting processes. In addition, many types of food should not coexist. Therefore, for optimal safety, it is recommended to purchase or make your own cabinet for vegetables in the kitchen or loggia.

Under the wrong conditions, active processes of ripening, seed germination, rotting of overripe pulp begin in fruits and root crops, which quickly makes them unusable, forcing a person to buy new products. For their safety, it is necessary to ensure the correct temperature, ventilation or tightness, and the correct location.

Note - Apples should always be stored separately from other vegetables and fruits, not only at room temperature, but also in the refrigerator. The close location of these fruits significantly accelerates the maturation of the rest of plant foods, which reduces their shelf life.

Types of vegetable storage systems in the kitchen

Considering that most plant foods are best preserved at room temperature, the question arises - where and how to place them? Today, it is possible to solve it with special storage systems for vegetables in the kitchen, which not only fit perfectly into the interior, but can also become its decoration without taking up extra space.

Kitchen drawers for fruits and vegetables

Built-in drawers mounted on rails are an essential part of almost any vegetable storage system in the kitchen. They are comfortable, roomy and functional. Thanks to roller guides, such drawers slide out almost silently, without requiring much effort, and provide quick access to the products necessary for cooking.

The internal equipment of such structures may be different. A box for vegetables in the kitchen can have a retractable or folding design, be made of wood, durable wire, wicker materials, metal mesh. In such devices, an optimal ventilation system is always created, which is necessary for a longer preservation of vegetables. However, experts do not recommend using wooden boxes (chipboard) for storing plant food, because even if there are holes in them, optimal conditions and the correct temperature are not created, which quickly leads to withering and rotting of products. In such places it is better to store dishes and cutlery.

Built-in drawers are suitable for storing almost all types of vegetables that require placement in the dark with mandatory air access. A special design are vertical drawers with a roller mechanism. Inside such a system there are several narrow shelves with sides, which allows you to place items one at a time, in rows, avoiding their clusters. It is very convenient to store fruits here.

Wicker pull-out baskets

The ideal place to store most plant foods is in well-ventilated but light-sheltered crates. It is this combination of important parameters that provides the fruits with a built-in box for storing vegetables in the form of a basket, which is often an element of kitchen systems.

Pull-out baskets can be hidden behind cabinet doors or placed separately, making up a special piece of furniture. Often, pull-out baskets of various sizes are installed inside tables or cabinets, including corner ones. In such designs, thanks to the many holes, optimal conditions are provided for many vegetables and fruits for long-term preservation. But it is important to have several such devices in order to separate the fruits and root crops by type.

Metal nets for vegetables and fruits

Metal mesh boxes are another convenient and functional place to store food. Wire drawer baskets can be of different designs, simply installed in the grooves in the walls of the cabinet behind a common door or move out one drawer on a roller mechanism. Single tanks, as a rule, have a front wooden panel. Such designs are durable and very practical, they are easy to wash. But it is better to store fruits of large sizes here.

Metal nets have the same principle as wicker baskets, providing the necessary air circulation and not allowing moisture to linger. The conditions for the preservation of many fruits in them are optimal, but they must be properly placed. For fruits, small hanging nets are suitable, which can be hung in the kitchen or hidden inside cabinets. Nets with vegetables should be placed in a cool and dark place.

plastic containers

There are built-in containers in almost every kitchen storage system. They are located inside built-in boxes and, as a rule, each of them contains several containers of different sizes at once, both with and without lids. You can store small fruits in such containers, subject to regular sorting and removal of spoiled fruits. But it is best to place nuts, dried fruits, cereals here.

Fresh vegetable products should be stored in built-in containers only if the box is part of a special kitchen system that has cooling and ventilation.

Access methods and installation options for storing vegetables and fruits in kitchen cabinets

Options for installing a vegetable storage system in the kitchen today can be different. The way and convenience of access to hosted products depends on this parameter.

Drawer systems

Built-in drawers and baskets can have different pull-out mechanisms, which greatly affects the cost of kitchen sets. Most often, roller guides are used, which are one of the simplest and most budgetary mechanisms. They do not have closers, have partial extension, but are able to withstand a load of up to 25 kg. The guides are attached using ordinary self-tapping screws.

A more modern type of mechanism can be called Metabox guide systems on rails, the cost of which is much higher compared to conventional roller ones. Such a device can also withstand a load of up to 25 kg and has a partial extension, but closers can be additionally installed here, which significantly increases operational safety.

For wooden drawers, it is best to use the Tandem pull-out system, which provides the construction with silent, high-quality and smooth movement. Wear-resistant cylindrical rollers made of durable plastic are installed inside the guide system. Such a device (depending on the type) can withstand loads up to 30 or 50 kg. The extension of the drawers can be either partial or full, with or without a closer. They can be opened by pressing the front panel when installing a special Tip-On device, but in this case it is impossible to use closers.

Folding drawers

Fold-out drawers hidden in kitchen cabinets can be a great solution for storing plant-based food in a small kitchen space, compared to pull-out designs, they do not require much space when opened. As a rule, folding models of boxes have a telescopic extension mechanism. On the inside of the door of such a device, one large or several small metal (wicker) baskets of various sizes and depths are attached to accommodate fruits and root crops, providing quick, convenient access to them.

Folding drawers can be located in the lower cabinets of a common set and separately, making up a special piece of furniture, in the form of a pencil case or cabinet, making the common space functional and comfortable.

For a large kitchen, special drawers with a common hinged door are suitable, combining a roller and telescopic mechanism. In this case, when the door is opened, all the hidden drawers are smoothly pulled out horizontally like a "ladder", opening up general access to the stored products.

Rules for preparing vegetables and fruits for storage in kitchen cabinets

In order for fruits and root crops to retain their freshness and benefits for a long time, it is important to follow certain rules, in particular:

Only undamaged specimens should be taken for storage.
The leaves on the fruits must be removed before storage, leaving only 1 - 2 cm, preventing premature drying.
Some vegetables should be stored in a perforated paper or plastic bag, while others should be stored in airtight containers.
Apricots, pears, mangoes, melons, avocados, tomatoes, apples and peaches are stored in the refrigerator when they are already ripe, but they must be wrapped in paper towels. If the fruits are unripe, it is better to leave them in baskets at room conditions for ripening, but separately from each other.
When stored in the refrigerator, food should be distributed freely without touching, otherwise it will quickly start to rot.
Wash any herbal products before use. The exception is green lettuce leaves, and fresh herbs, they must be thoroughly washed, dried, put in an airtight container, in the refrigerator.
Grapes, cherries, bananas, eggplants, cherries, a variety of berries, sweet peppers and citrus fruits should be placed in the refrigerator, sealed.
Garlic, potatoes, onions require storage in special boxes outdoors, but in a dark and cool place. When placed in the refrigerator, they not only change their taste, but also quickly begin to rot.

Photo of kitchen cabinets for storing vegetables and fruits

Modern storage systems for vegetables in the kitchen allow not only to effectively organize the common space and make it as functional as possible, but also provide the products with full conditions for the preservation of all useful properties. Storage options can be varied, very convenient, practical, beautiful, it is only important to choose the right items to your liking.

If you have any questions or suggestions, you can contact us by e-mail: [email protected] website
P.S. We do not sell furniture, we only help you get acquainted with what happens and navigate in the choice.

It is convenient to store vegetables and fruits in modern kitchen drawers. They will always have a certain place, and the interior will look neat. But there are a few important points that you should definitely consider when ordering your future kitchen. How to organize a convenient and beautiful place for storing vegetables and fruits in the kitchen - designer tips and 25 photos for inspiration.

Storage options for vegetables in the kitchen

There are three main ways:

- regular drawer:

- wicker baskets, which are located in an open niche between floor cabinets:

- retractable wire baskets, also located in a niche or hidden behind the hinged doors of floor cabinets:

Some manufacturers of household appliances make refrigerators with special drawers - they maintain the optimum temperature so that vegetables and fruits remain healthy and fresh for as long as possible. But such technology is not cheap.

A deep drawer with high sides is best suited for storing vegetables and fruits. It can be made to order or "increase" the height of a standard drawer with the help of special fittings - roof rails and sidewalls. Thanks to this, its capacity will increase significantly.
The box for vegetables can be quite narrow and at the same time high. For example, it is convenient to build it into a narrow floor kitchen module near a stove or sink - they often have a width of 300-400 mm.
Take care of good ventilation. Facades-lattices or mesh inserts in a frame made of MDF or solid wood do an excellent job with this task.
An obligatory element of such a box is separators. In custom-made solid wood sets, if desired, you can immediately order a vegetable box with wooden sides and partitions. In modern kitchens, it is much more convenient to use plastic or metal organizer dividers, which are offered by all major hardware manufacturers. You can find them in different price ranges.
It's practical. If desired, you can change the internal configuration of the drawer in one motion. For example, add an extra compartment for potatoes, onions or carrots by simply rearranging the divider.
For storing vegetables and fruits in the kitchen, wicker baskets made of vines with wooden or plastic sides are very good. They slide along the rails and are as convenient to use as a drawer.
In a basket made of natural material, products feel much better. But wicker accessories are an addition, first of all, for kitchens in the style of modern classics, country or Provence. However, baskets with a laconic rectangular design will fit well into the interior of a modern-style kitchen.

An idea to note: it is convenient to use a removable fabric cover in baskets and wash it when necessary.

Photo of boxes for vegetables and fruits in the interior

Proper storage of vegetables and fruits allows you to extend their freshness and save money on your next grocery purchase. But returning from the market or supermarket, we simply load all the goods from the bags into the refrigerator, not suspecting that this approach has many drawbacks. First, not all gifts of nature should be stored in the refrigerator. For the preservation of some of them, such as tomatoes and potatoes, low temperatures are generally undesirable. Secondly, many fruits and vegetables are not recommended to be kept together. Products with a short shelf life quickly overripe and begin to infect others. Finally, storing vegetables in the refrigerator drawer often leads to the fact that we simply forget about individual fruits buried under bunches of greens or heads of cabbage.

Today you will learn how to properly organize the storage of vegetables in the kitchen. Read on for the perfect savings terms and conditions, as well as handy and beautiful fruit and vegetable containers to decorate your kitchen or pantry!

Proper storage conditions for fruits and vegetables

Below you will find a table that lists the ideal storage times and storage conditions for popular vegetables and fruits in alphabetical order. But before we get into it, here are some general principles:

Before storing any vegetables, it is recommended to remove the leaves, leaving only a couple of centimeters, which will restrain premature drying.
Make sure the bag of vegetables has several holes for ventilation (see the table below - there are exceptions to this rule).
Divide the vegetables freely around the refrigerator. The closer they are to each other, the faster they will begin to rot.
Wash vegetables and fruits just before eating.
Stone fruits (except cherries and sweet cherries), tomatoes, melons, mangoes, avocados, apples and pears can be stored indoors where they will continue to ripen.
Sweet peppers, grapes, bananas, all citrus fruits and berries should only be stored in the refrigerator.
Potatoes, onions, garlic and ginger root do not react well to high humidity in refrigerators, which causes them to rot and change their taste. They are best stored in wire and wicker baskets, wooden crates, and other ventilated containers at room temperature.
Carrots and beets are recommended to be stored unwashed in a cool place. If this is a refrigerator, then the container for them must be airtight to protect against moisture, which these root crops are afraid of.

Here are the best ways to store fruits and vegetables at home:

Since many fruits and vegetables can be stored at room temperature, the question arises: what is the best way to store them? Ideally, vegetable containers should have ventilated walls and should not take up much space. Special wicker baskets or wooden crates are a great option that will add character and coziness to your kitchen. Some containers can also be part of a kitchen cabinet. Below we will give 5 best options with a photo in kitchen design.

1. Hanging containers

Hanging shelves, baskets, and other vegetable containers are one of the best ways to save space and give your kitchen a rustic feel. They can be hung above or next to the worktop, which will make the cooking process much more convenient.

2. Wicker and wire baskets for vegetables

Vegetable baskets can also be hung on walls or built into kitchen cabinets. Wicker baskets made of natural material are considered ideal because they “breathe” and do not have large holes (like wire ones), which helps to keep the kitchen clean.

3. Kitchen boxes for vegetables

Drawers for vegetables are good because they can be conveniently built into the kitchen cabinet. Please note that despite the beautiful appearance, the wooden crates do not provide sufficient air circulation. Perforated and wire metal crates can keep your vegetables from spoiling longer.

Also read:

4. Shelves for storing vegetables in the kitchen

Tiered drawers and trays are another good option for a small kitchen. A bookcase on wheels can be the perfect solution.

5. Storage of vegetables in a special cabinet

Finally, the storage of vegetables and fruits can be organized in any old cabinet, prudently making “windows” with wire mesh in it. These windows allow air to circulate and allow you to see what's hidden inside each compartment. Look at the photo, how you can make such a stand for vegetables with your own hands:

Storing vegetables in the kitchen: the right conditions and containers updated: January 17, 2017 by: Margarita Glushko

Vegetables form the basis of the traditional diet all year round, so ensuring the correct storage regimen is not only a matter of rationality, but also common sense.

Not everyone knows that vegetables can be stored not only in special warehouses, but also at home, in the basement, on the balcony or just in the kitchen. Enough to get special boxes.

Ideas for a vegetable storage system: boxes, baskets, containers

Even in an ordinary apartment in a multi-storey residential building, you can organize the right products, you just need to know how to do it. It is quite realistic to limit the temperature and humidity at home, especially since it is still much easier to organize the “wintering” of vegetables than storing more juicy fruits or berries. as a rule, they choose balconies for storing root crops, where it is very convenient to organize their storage system on pedestals and corner tables.

Cabbage

Fresh cabbage is not the easiest vegetable when it comes to organizing storage, sauerkraut is best preserved, especially since almost all vitamins remain in it. Fresh white cabbage requires a low storage temperature of -1 to +1°C and a high relative humidity of 90–98%. Otherwise, the head of cabbage will dry out very quickly and will not be suitable for eating.

It is also impossible to store cabbage in the refrigerator - it “suffocates” indoors, and begins to rot in polyethylene. It is best to use the basement for storing cabbage: the heads of cabbage must first be dried a little, and then hung two by two under the ceiling. If the balcony in the apartment is unheated, then it is quite possible to organize such storage at home.

Onion and garlic

Garlic is more picky about storage conditions than onions, however, these products also have something in common: the heads of both garlic and onions must be thoroughly dried before storage. After that, there are 3 storage options for onion heads:

weave "braids" and hang;
fold into a stocking and leave in a ventilated place;
put in boxes in 2 layers, you can in.

At the same time, onions can be stored directly in the kitchen - dry air will prevent germination. It is a little more difficult with garlic: dried heads can simply dry out, so it is recommended to “clog” them with paraffin or wax. After that, garlic can be stored in the same way as onions, in a place with limited sunlight.

Potato

Potatoes are on the table both on weekdays and on holidays. It is consumed the most, and few people have at least a couple of kilograms of these root crops at home.

Potato fruits ripen in the dark, and it is also better to store them in a place with a minimum amount of light, otherwise they will turn green, and it is unsafe to eat such potatoes.

First of all, the potatoes must be thoroughly dried, only after that they can be placed in boxes for storage. If we are talking about an apartment, then an unheated balcony is best for storing this root crop - you can place boxes of potatoes there and not be afraid for its safety.

It is important that the storage room is not too wet and not too dry, otherwise the vegetable may deteriorate - rot, begin to sprout. The optimal humidity for storing potatoes is 85-90%, temperature 2-3°C.

Carrots and beets

Beets and carrots are stored according to a similar principle.

Carrots with a thin skin can easily deteriorate if the temperature regime is violated - a frozen root crop will no longer be suitable for food. The optimum storage temperature is 1°C and the relative humidity is 90-95%. Carrots also need constant ventilation and air access. You can store carrots in different ways:

in open polyethylene bags;
in the sand, so that the fruits do not touch each other, and the sand itself is regularly moistened;
in an open bottle - if there are few carrots, you can store it in this way both in the kitchen and in the refrigerator, or on the balcony, but with the onset of frost, the jar must be closed;
coated with clay - a rather easily soiled method, but very effective;
in sawdust needles - the method is similar to storage in sand;
in boxes for storing vegetables - the easiest way, besides, carrots can be stored this way in the apartment.

Legumes

Legumes are best stored in closed containers to keep midges out.

Beans, beans, soybeans, lentils and other legumes require approximately the same storage conditions. The main condition for storage is that the fruits must be well dried, and in order not to be threatened by insects, they must be stored together with cloves of garlic or onions. It is best to do this in hermetically sealed jars.

Unlike other fruits, legumes are not afraid of frost, they can be safely left on the balcony. However, if there is space in the kitchen, and the humidity of the room is not too high, storage can be arranged there as well.

Legumes will definitely “live” in the apartment all winter and even longer, but it is worth remembering that after a frost they will be unsuitable for planting, they can only be eaten.

Vegetables in the apartment

You can store vegetables in the kitchen, the main thing is to follow the correct mode.

Summarizing, we can say that vegetables such as onions and garlic, carrots, and legumes are best suited for storage in an apartment. Beets need a cool place, and cabbage is very picky about storage conditions and quickly deteriorates - it is easier to ferment it for the winter and buy fresh.

Potatoes are also suitable for storage in an apartment and can successfully “overwinter” if the storage conditions are met. It is best to store potatoes in small batches and make sure that they are not exposed to sunlight and do not germinate.

The best option for storing potatoes would be to organize a special place allotted in the kitchen or on the balcony, which acts as a mini vegetable store. Such a place can be made both by yourself and bought.

boxes

It is best to store vegetables in plastic boxes

As is already clear from the text above, the easiest way is to organize the storage of vegetables in boxes that can be placed in the kitchen or on the balcony. When choosing containers for long-term storage of vegetables outside a special room, the following factors should be considered:

the material from which the box is made;
container volume;
the presence and number of ventilation holes;
ease of placement and use.

In such boxes you can store onions, potatoes, carrots, beets. Ventilation holes must be mandatory, otherwise the vegetables may “suffocate” and deteriorate. Air should circulate freely, the room should be ventilated from time to time.

For "home" storage of vegetables in the kitchen or balcony, you do not need to take too large boxes, a volume of 20 liters will be more than enough.

Plastic

Plastic boxes are easy to care for, inexpensive and durable.

The best characteristics for the given parameters are plastic boxes-containers for storing vegetables:

plastic containers are available in different volumes;
such trays and boxes are perforated at the bottom and sides, are available with or without lids;
often plastic boxes are equipped with handles so that it is convenient to load them and get vegetables out of them;
the design designed for stacking allows you to put boxes on top of each other, and metal inserts will protect vegetables from being squeezed by the upper tiers;
plastic withstands a wide range of temperatures, they are not afraid of frost and summer heat;
this type of container is reusable, it can be used for many seasons in a row.

Wooden

Wooden boxes are strong, but they are more convenient for transporting vegetables, rather than storing them.

Boxes made of natural wood are not as durable as plastic ones, they are used for more careful transportation and storage of vegetables:

the design of the boxes is reinforced with metal inserts;
ventilation occurs due to the gaps between the boards;
wooden boxes are heavier, do not have handles, they are not so convenient to stack on top of each other, and besides, they are quite easy to damage;
you should not consider wood boxes for reuse for more than 1 season, but as a temporary measure they are quite suitable.

Cardboard

Cardboard boxes are fragile, but wicker baskets will look interesting in the kitchen

Although such boxes are made of several layers of thick cardboard, it is clear that they are not suitable for reusable use:

cardboard is very critical to air humidity, it can bend or sag;
even with careful handling, such boxes will not last more than one season;
they are usually small in size, have small ventilation holes.

How to store vegetables, see the video:

Organizing a vegetable store with your own hands

Not all vegetables can be normally stored in ordinary boxes, so you can take care of a vegetable store - a place where a certain temperature regime will be observed.

It is not difficult to make such a storage, but as a result, it will always be possible to have a small supply of vegetables at home - potatoes, beets, carrots.

Size, material, temperature

Things to think about ahead of time:

the size of the box directly depends not only on the area that can be allocated to it, but also on the number of people living in the apartment;
if it is supposed to use such a cellar as the main storage of vegetables, it must be insulated, otherwise the vegetables will freeze slightly in frosts;
you can even make such a box with improvised materials - both natural wood and chipboard boards, plywood are suitable for this, you can even use old unnecessary furniture.

Before proceeding with the calculations, you need to decide which form factor of the vegetable store is the most convenient - it can be a kind of chest of drawers with drawers (like), a top-loading box or a cabinet with doors. The last option is the most convenient to use, it is easy to organize access to it. And you can create a model of the future premises using.

Video: metal and plastic containers for storing vegetables - an overview of the best options

How to store vegetables in the house, and how to make convenient boxes for storing potatoes, carrots and other vegetables at home, see our video:

The plan of a chest of drawers with drawers is the most difficult to implement, especially when it comes to organizing insulation, while a top-loading drawer, on the contrary, is easy to make, but it is not very convenient to use it.

Frost and rot protection

In an insulated box you can store vegetables on a cold balcony

On the balcony, the storage will be constantly exposed to temperature changes even during one season. This can cause rotting of the boards from which the storage is made, and its damage. To prevent rotting due to excessive moisture, you need to take care of the wood impregnation, which will protect the walls of the box from changes in humidity and temperature. And you can find out about cheap kitchen corners by.

You should also think about insulating the floor of the balcony, if it is not already insulated. Although the storage box itself will insulate on its own, a cold floor can cause the vegetables in the storage to spoil.

If the vegetables are stored on an unheated balcony or loggia, then you need to ensure that the temperature does not fall below 0 ° C.

Stages of creation

But having equipped such a “storage” in the kitchen, you can store all the supplies

On the storage plan, all dimensional characteristics of the future storage should be taken into account, taking into account the thickness of the walls with insulation. Do not choose too complex a design if you have not had to do anything like this before. And you can read about serving a festive table at home.

Frame construction

The framework is made of a wooden bar. First, the bottom is formed, then the side vertical racks, the last is the top of the box. For the bottom and top, it is best to use a pre-made rectangular frame according to the size of the box.

Sheathing and insulation of the frame

From the inside, the finished karsas is sheathed with boards or plywood, chipboard - what is available, and outside - with insulation. The lid of the box is made according to the same principles, it is attached to the storage on metal hinges.

For ease of use, you can take care of the internal lighting of the box, in addition, this is another way to increase the temperature. You can use a manual or automatic switch, which, of course, is more difficult to build, but it is much more convenient to use.

Also, more “improvised” means can be used as storage - for example, it can be an old refrigerator that is not used for its intended purpose. True, this is quite cumbersome, so if the question is about the optimal use of space, you can use other ideas. How to choose a kitchen scale can be found.

Bench boxes

This bench will also serve as good furniture

This refers to the creation of storage with drop-down or sliding (more convenient) doors, the upper part of which also serves as a bench. Such a box is much more convenient than conventional storage, since you can put it anywhere:

on the balcony, arranging a comfortable seating place there;
in the kitchen, using such a bench instead of a couple;
in the corridor, if there is a place and just not enough where to sit.

The principle of manufacturing such a box is similar to the above, with the only difference that the seat must be arranged from above, and the frame itself must be strong enough to withstand human weight. It is also worth taking care of strengthening the bottom and top of the box separately, otherwise it is an ordinary storage, only more convenient.

Caring for a vegetable storage box is not particularly difficult - it must be kept clean and monitored so that insects that can spoil the fruits do not start. And you can find out about plastic for kitchen facades.

Also, the box should not be allowed to get wet; excessive moisture will spoil both it and the contents. You can use such a box at any time of the year - in the summer it is useful for storing seasonal vegetables if they are purchased in batches.

In such boxes it is convenient to store a small amount of vegetables that are needed daily.

Wicker baskets are a great alternative for boxes

As you can see, arranging a home storage for vegetables is not at all difficult, even if you do the entire front of the work yourself. Meanwhile, this enables people who do not have a cellar or basement to store vegetables for as long as possible, preserving nutrients and vitamins. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with high chairs for the kitchen.

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