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Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: tarasis on November 26, 2012, 05:22:22 pm

Title: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: tarasis on November 26, 2012, 05:22:22 pm
Hi guys a quick question if I may, if you happen to record / note what you have in your cupboards, pantry, fridge, freezer and so on, do you just list the items in total or do you tend to break it down by shelf?

For example you know you have some Cream of Tartar in your baking cupboard, on the second shelf. Do you simply write

Baking Cupboard:

Cream of Tartar
Sugar

Or

Baking Cupboard:

Shelf 1:

Cream of Tartar
Baking Soda

Shelf 2:

Flour

The reason I ask is I'm thinking about writing a pantry management app for the iPad/iPhone and I know people have different ways of doing things. Having shelves is useful though it requires you to put things back where you take them from (or rather others).
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: fundj&e on November 26, 2012, 08:11:32 pm
Only a few items make it back to the original spot, Pasta, Oil, Flour, Sugar, Salt, Drink, Herb and spices



 
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: mcmich on November 26, 2012, 08:35:32 pm
I don't actually write down what I have although it is organised shelf wise.
Top shelf of pantry is flours, rice, pasta, sugars, cocoa, coconut etc.
2nd shelf tins. I have narrow plastic covered wire storage on the door for spice jars.

It does require putting things back where you got it from though.
A while back a few of us where using up pantry items and there were some photos of the inside of our pantries.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: obbie on November 26, 2012, 08:39:48 pm
great idea a app.

I have a cupboard for baking stuff.
another for pasta,
another for snack stuff, lollies for the kids
another for milo, quick, for drinks
then my big pantry, where its all organized, and I have loads of tupperware modular mates.

so everything goes back to where it should be.

I keep double of everything, so when i run out, I write it on the shopping list.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: chrissa on November 26, 2012, 09:44:19 pm
That's a great idea for an app.  There is one already called prep and pantry. I had the lite version but it was very time consuming to use and I lost interest

I store things like Obbie but often can't find stuff like my box of sea salt flakes,and I know I bought last month and can't find ( so I went out a bought another box ). It will turn up somewhere I guess, one day !
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Halex on November 26, 2012, 09:52:09 pm
I have mine aranged in shelves, baking one shelf, tins another etc.
The problem is my boys just tend to put things back wherever they see a space.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Yvette on November 26, 2012, 10:14:53 pm
I have a drawer for baking stuff and everything else is arranged how I like it in the pantry
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Halex on November 26, 2012, 10:23:36 pm
Doesnt anyone else have people that just put things where theres a sace :)
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Amy :-) on November 26, 2012, 10:34:28 pm
Doesnt anyone else have people that just put things where theres a sace :)

My brother and SD do Hally :-))
But our "pantry" is very disorganised at the moment anyway. Because of our renovations, we've just crammed all the jars, tins, packets, containers, etc into the laundry cupboard. I try to keep it in order, but most of the time things just have to go where they will fit :-))
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: droverjess on November 26, 2012, 10:39:01 pm
Crikey, who has time for writing down what's in the cupboards. ROFL.
Apologies if you do do this, am just convulsed at the idea.... As no longer than it'd be written down than eaten in this house......
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Emme on November 26, 2012, 10:43:16 pm
Sorry, I have to own up, I am not that organised.
Doesnt anyone else have people that just put things where theres a sace :)
Yes, I do
Marie
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: snappy on November 26, 2012, 10:49:30 pm
And if there is not enough space I just shove it in on top of something else.

My fridge is even worse - when you open the door it's not unusal to have things fall out at you.  In my defense I have a tiny kitchen (house) and boys who eat a lot of food!
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: goldfish on November 26, 2012, 10:55:39 pm
Doesnt anyone else have people that just put things where theres a sace :)

Ummmm, yes . . . . but we're trying!!! ;D
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Wonder on November 26, 2012, 10:58:02 pm
I'm another just put it in where it fits but find that about 75% of stuff ends up back in the same place. I would never even think of keeping a list of what's in there and it's location, I find it amazing that some people even do that! :) I normally have a rough idea of what I've got and as we use something up it goes on the shopping list. A bit disorganised and we do run to the shops a bit (lucky we are close) but there is no way I could stick to something like this.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Halex on November 26, 2012, 10:58:07 pm
Snappy my fridge is bad too
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: goldfish on November 26, 2012, 11:00:27 pm
 . . . fridge not too bad lately . . but the freezer!!!  Open door - keep toes out of way!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D  Would love to have an upright freezer . . some day!
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: CreamPuff63 on November 27, 2012, 12:11:28 am
No, nothing written down. Just sorted it when we moved in, and put things back where I found them. DD2 moving out this week so I will be able to have it just the way I like it very soon. Looking forward to being able to go over to her house and chuck something in the cupboard where it doesn't belong  ;D
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Amy :-) on November 27, 2012, 01:02:24 am
LOL CP ;D
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: judydawn on November 27, 2012, 02:00:45 am
The picture is one I have recently done of an inventory for the freezer at the bottom of my fridge which has 2 baskets.  I only keep bits and pieces in here so each drawer has ingredients on the LHS, middle & RHS of each basket.  A pain to find without having my list to refer to. As you can see since I did it, I have only removed 1 item  :-))

The upright freezer's inventory is very messy at the moment but that is similar to this except without the LHS, middle & RHS.  Whatever is in the basket is just listed as being in drawer 1, 2 and so on.

The small freezer has a shelf for bread products, one for cakes, one for ice-cream and usually more bread, one for odds and ends which don't fit into either of these categories and I have a box in the bottom which has bits and pieces of meals ready to go.  I do keep a list of what's in there but that also needs redoing at the moment.

The pantry is too hard to do an inventory so I have to trust that I remember what I have or haven't got.  I do replace each item before it is all gone though so often have everything on hand except for new recipes using different ingredients. I try and put things back where they came from as that's the only way I will ever find them again, move something in this house and it sometimes gets lost for a long time  :-))  My spice draw is separate from the pantry which makes it easier to know where to head for those items.  Mind you I do tend to shove new things in there wherever they will fit and really do need to do an inventory of that as well. A job for over the quiet after Christmas period I think.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Wonder on November 27, 2012, 02:07:34 am
Wow Judy I'm in awe or your organisation. I try and at least put labels on everything going in but we still end up with a few mystery items. We don't freeze that much stuff so it's not too bad.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Mama Fergie on November 27, 2012, 02:23:05 am
I wish I could be that organized but its just not me unfortunately.  :(
I tidy my pantry regularly and roughly know where things should be but somehow things end up in the wrong places.
I always know what it have used up but sometimes can't find things that I need without rummaging  :o is that a word?
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Emme on November 27, 2012, 02:29:14 am
Yep definitely a word, MF and I actually do that exercise on a regular basis :D :D
 Marie
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Mama Fergie on November 27, 2012, 02:33:48 am
 ;D  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Jamberie on November 27, 2012, 02:47:29 am
My pantry is the only organised space in our whole house!
If the pantry is not organised, my life is a mess!
-but in saying that I hate the pantry, it has a narrow door and wide shelves so accessing all of it is tricky.
I've bought cheap containers and trays so that everything has a 'spot' somewhere in a tray or a basket. I'd love Tupperware modular mates but I'd need about 100 so I've used the Sistema brand which I love...I also love that they all match and interlock.
I keep extra ingredients that I've bought in bulk or on sale in a basket I use like a 'drawer' at the bottom of the pantry behind the flour so I can just pull it out easily to get what I need. I also have a different cupboard where I keep my Costco super bulk items.

When we run out of something, I check the basket and then if it's not there I write the ingredient on the list that stays on my fridge. This list is also usually organised into columns:   Coles | Aldi | Costco | Bunnings | Other  so when I go to those shops I know what I need.
It works for us.
And just because I have other things to do today (so I'm procrastinating from work) I took a photo and labelled it so you can see what I mean...because of the shape of the pantry, you can't see quite a bit of it....but you'll get the idea.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: EmeraldSue on November 27, 2012, 03:07:42 am
I would never contemplate keeping an inventory of what food I have and where I store it, as it would be a nightmare to keep it up to date. I am not a list keeping type!
I tend to keep things in the same place (eg all the pasta is together, all the spices are together etc) and add them to the shopping list as i use them up. In my upright freezer, I tend to group things together and label things with a date and description as I put them in.eg one drawer has baked items like cakes and bread, another has frozen fruit, a couple of drawers have meat
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: CreamPuff63 on November 27, 2012, 03:16:27 am
I'm impressed jamberie  :D

A) your pantry is so tidy you can go to it and just take a photo without having to make it presentable
B) the way you have labelled the photo - very clever
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: obbie on November 27, 2012, 03:25:49 am
Jamberie totally impressed with your pantry. looks great. :)
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Amy :-) on November 27, 2012, 03:37:24 am
Wow, I'm impressed with both Judy and Jamberie :o :D
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Yvette on November 27, 2012, 03:43:09 am
Well done Judy and Jamberie
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Jamberie on November 27, 2012, 03:43:53 am
Haha! thanks Robyn, Amy, Yvette & Cream Puff!
As I said though, it's the only cupboard that is organised in my house! -I didn't show you any pictures of my fridges or freezers for a reason! -OMG our wardrobe is horrendous!
It used to be chaos as I could never find all the little things because of the orientation of the pantry/door...the little baskets with handles on the second shelf from the top on the right hand side have made a massive difference. And having spices in alphabetical order means they are easy to find and I don't have 4 bottles of ginger (anymore!)
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Wonder on November 27, 2012, 04:55:19 am
That looks great Jamberie
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Mama Fergie on November 27, 2012, 05:01:35 am
Judy and Jamberie you put me to shame.
I wish I was super organized like that.
Mine stays like that for about 1 week and then chaos finds its way back in :o
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: cookie1 on November 27, 2012, 05:07:56 am
I know where everything is in my pantry, but it is a mess. My freezer is utter chaos. I kind of know what is in there, but when I sort it I will always find a few things I had forgotten about.  I wouldn't use an app for the pantry but I would for the freezer.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: gertbysea on November 27, 2012, 05:10:56 am
Crikey, who has time for writing down what's in the cupboards. ROFL.
Apologies if you do do this, am just convulsed at the idea.... As no longer than it'd be written down than eaten in this house......


I am with you DJ  and as I am the only one who ever opens the pantry door I have no need to mark anything.

Gert
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Mama Fergie on November 27, 2012, 05:13:45 am
Same as me with my freezer. I always find containers with leftovers that I have forgotten about.
I need a new freezer and hope to get one as soon as I get home. Will make my life easier.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: VieveMS on November 27, 2012, 05:18:26 am
I have some sticky whiteboard sheets on my fridge that I use to keep track of the contents of my freezer.  Pre-TMX I hardly ever used my freezer as I knew that once I put something in there it would never come out again (including meat).  Funny though, I always managed to use up the ice-cream!
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Mama Fergie on November 27, 2012, 06:17:58 am
 ;D
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: goldfish on November 27, 2012, 06:35:43 am
Funny though, I always managed to use up the ice-cream!


Know the feeling well . .!!!!! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: tarasis on November 27, 2012, 07:31:06 am
Same as me with my freezer. I always find containers with leftovers that I have forgotten about.

Yeah I just tossed out Brocoli soup from October 2010, and a bunch of other things (including meat dishes) from 2011. Not helped that the stickers I had stuck on came off.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: judydawn on November 27, 2012, 07:39:39 am
Jamberie, your pantry is a credit to you - don't know how you labelled that picture but it is very clever.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Kimmyh on November 27, 2012, 07:42:43 am
Fantastic pantry jamberrie. Thought mine was organised but yours us perfect :)
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Halex on November 27, 2012, 08:07:00 am
Jamberie, want o come & sort mine out ;D
Title: Re: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Jamberie on November 27, 2012, 08:11:24 am
I really have to laugh...I should post a picture of my wardrobe...but I won't because it's terrible!
Hally- I'd love to, going shopping for the containers is my favourite part :)
Judy- I opened the photo using simple "paint" and then put a text box over the image and typed into it. Then used the "pen" to draw the lines with my mouse......it's quick and easy....not high quality, I just wanted to get the point across quickly.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: judydawn on November 27, 2012, 12:12:10 pm
It sounds simple Jamberie and very effective too.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Halex on November 27, 2012, 10:21:49 pm
Same as me with my freezer. I always find containers with leftovers that I have forgotten about.

Yeah I just tossed out Brocoli soup from October 2010, and a bunch of other things (including meat dishes) from 2011. Not helped that the stickers I had stuck on came off.

I have the problem with stickers coming off too.

Plus I throw things in & think I will remeber what it s.

This week I defristed curry thinking it was bolognaise ???  So dh had curryfor lunch fr a couple of days & then I found another container for cp lunch with bol in.  Everytime I say I will label. I now keep labels on top of my fridge, but then I cant find a pen.


Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: EmeraldSue on November 29, 2012, 10:21:40 am
I don't think you are alone there H. I've given up labelling the single serve leftovers as I enjoy playing freezer roulette. I just grab a random tub of leftovers to take to work. When I pop it in the microwave at work, I always get a surprise :)
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: obbie on November 30, 2012, 05:55:51 am
great idea, secret lunches.... :D
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: droverjess on December 01, 2012, 08:55:02 am
Larder and kitchen cupboards

(http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh621/Droverjess/89cc9995f38d47cdf9f00e4109f8504f.jpg)

Nuts, baking stuff eg BP, vanilla etc and choc and fruit.

(http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh621/Droverjess/7285f4e4e4b7a258342cca60e40de223.jpg)

Spices and herbs

(http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh621/Droverjess/6127f903f9eee78759c839a7511709e0.jpg)

Flour

(http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh621/Droverjess/8f6d57315516f2bf597cf09e44dfc59e.jpg)

Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Frozzie on December 01, 2012, 01:17:24 pm
Oh my jamberie thats organised.. No lists but no pantry yet either more cupboards.. My general rule is put it back where i got it from.. Have things accessible and when something runs out write it on shopping list.. When i cook something i checki have all ingredients and buy anything i need.. My problem is the freezer... Same as tarasis end up finding things in there from long ago lol!!.. My next freezer will be organised lol
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Aussie Brenda on December 01, 2012, 09:15:35 pm
DJ when did you sneak into my house to get those photo's.??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: droverjess on December 01, 2012, 09:38:24 pm
LOL AB  ;D
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: himeliann on December 01, 2012, 09:50:53 pm
my husband is the one in charge of organising the fridge and the pantry  ;D
When i am doing it i know where things are but i am the only one  :o :o

i don't really see how an app could be practical, but it would be nice to know when doing the shopping if you already have 10 tins of that product in stock.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: obbie on December 01, 2012, 10:16:36 pm
I think it would be great..
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Frozzie on December 02, 2012, 07:04:40 am
Think the app is any easy way to keep track of items as long ss you remembered to check things off the list lol!!
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: Frozzie on December 02, 2012, 07:05:48 am
How long would it take tarasis to do that.. ???
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: tarasis on December 03, 2012, 10:24:27 pm
That Frozzie is a very good question. I'm not sure, it depends on a bunch of things (mainly free time) but the basic form wouldn't take that long. Its just making it properly useful and easy to use. This thread has been interesting from the point of view of what peoples needs are.
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: gertbysea on December 04, 2012, 01:03:16 am
I need to go over  to DJ's house I think.  I like to be able to put my hands on something blindfolded. Or so organised that I can direct someone's else to the right spot. I could be anal. Comes from working in an operating theatre.

Gert
Title: Re: Soliciting thoughts on Pantry/cupboard/freezer/fridge management
Post by: obbie on December 04, 2012, 01:17:09 am
Gert you are so funny.

Tarasis, its  a great idea.