# Things you put in the refrigerator/freezer that don't need refrigeration **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 1, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860 "2013-11-01T17:47:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/1 "2013-11-01T17:47:41Z")
I keep cans of tuna in there because when I make tuna salad I want it to be cold _already_. Took me a few years to figure out this strategy. :smack: Also, canned sliced peaches. One of the most refreshing things you can eat on a hot hot day is a can of ice cold peaches. I had in mind food, but i’m interested in other uses of refrigeration. Some people put lotion in the fridge or facial toner because it feels good on the skin. I’ve been known to keep vodka in the freezer where it never quite freezes. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/2 "2013-11-01T18:23:50Z")
Vodka and white rum. Coffee Crisp candy bars and leftover Halloween candy. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/3 "2013-11-01T18:33:04Z")
At our house, we always keep the ketchup and mustard in the refrigerator for some reason. And mayonnaise. None of those things are refrigerated at the store ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/4 "2013-11-01T18:33:12Z")
Peanut butter winds up in ours which is worse than useless. Not only does it not require refrigeration, but being cold makes it harder to spread when making a sandwich. Still keeps appearing in there, though. We have a habit of putting things in sealed containers in the fridge when they only need refrigerating after opening (jugs of fruit juice, for instance). I suppose it’s better than people forgetting the distinction and putting the open juice in the pantry but it does make for a cluttered fridge at times. ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/5 "2013-11-01T18:41:40Z")
When I was growing up, when my father’s mother (my paternal grandmother) would come over she would take the peanut butter out of the pantry and put it in the refrig. My father and mother had settled where it should go (pantry) before I was born but no matter what, when grandma came over she would open the pantry, find the peanut bu††er and put it in the refrig. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/6 "2013-11-01T19:04:17Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > At our house, we always keep the ketchup and mustard in the refrigerator for some reason. And mayonnaise. None of those things are refrigerated at the store Before they’re opened? Because after they’re opened that’s where they’re supposed to go I thought. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/7 "2013-11-01T19:04:47Z")
Things taking up space in the colderator that don’t _need_ to, strictly speaking: Freezer: vodka and beer mugs Fridge: [mustard](http://www.frenchs.com/info/faqs/yellow-mustard) and [eggs](http://www.medicaldaily.com/do-eggs-need-be-refrigerated-or-can-you-store-them-room-temperature-256872) Heinz [recommends](http://www.heinzketchup.com/faq.aspx) refrigerating ketchup after opening. [One survey of other items](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/31/which-foods-need-to-be-re_n_1557051.html). ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/8 "2013-11-01T19:06:00Z")
I put candy (when I have it, which is not often) in the freezer. It’s harder to scarf it down-- stuff like tiny candy bars-- when it’s frozen. Does anyone here remember when you sprinkled clothes with water then put them in the fridge or freezer before ironing? (I do not iron anymore, but did this many years ago.) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/9 "2013-11-01T19:07:38Z")
I keep flour and sugar in the fridge, or even the freezer if they’re unopened, because it prevents bug infestations. I just don’t use a package fast enough for this not to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/10 "2013-11-01T19:08:56Z")
butter Sometimes things like apples and oranges bottles of water ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/11 "2013-11-01T19:12:20Z")
> [@Reepicheep](#): > > When I was growing up, when my father’s mother (my paternal grandmother) would come over she would take the peanut butter out of the pantry and put it in the refrig. My father and mother had settled where it should go (pantry) before I was born but no matter what, when grandma came over she would open the pantry, find the peanut bu††er and put it in the refrig. Am I the only one who is seeing gothic butter in the peanut butter? I keep Sculpy in the fridge if I’m working on something delicate or if I wanna slice it very thin. I hate when my husband puts flour in the fridge. He says it’s to keep bugs out but it gets damp in there. There is much more waste when it gets damp than any bugs we’ve ever had. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/12 "2013-11-01T19:14:47Z")
For the life of me I can’t figure out why but my wife keeps graham crackers (once she’s opened the sleeve) in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/13 "2013-11-01T19:18:21Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I keep flour and sugar in the fridge, or even the freezer if they’re unopened, because it prevents bug infestations. I just don’t use a package fast enough for this not to happen. I keep whole wheat flour, cornmeal, pasta, and rice in the freezer after suffering through a couple of meal moth and beetle infestations. Interestingly, when our cabinets were invaded, bugs got into all sorts of things, but left the white flour and sugar completely alone. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/14 "2013-11-01T19:27:42Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > bottles of water I don’t buy bottles any more, but I could add my Brita pitcher to the above list. Even though I told myself when I came back from Cairo that I’d broken myself of the need to drink water cold, it didn’t last. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/15 "2013-11-01T19:34:41Z")
My wife puts soy sauce and mustard packets from our chinese restaurant in the refrigerator. Same for jelly packets from restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/16 "2013-11-01T19:47:35Z")
We keep aloe lotion in the fridge for sunburns. ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/17 "2013-11-01T19:50:46Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > Before they’re opened? Because after they’re opened that’s where they’re supposed to go I thought. I’d like the straight dope on this. I always see it on the (non-refrigerated) shelf at the grocery store, but my family has always put it in the fridge once opened. Is this a requirement or a habit? ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/18 "2013-11-01T19:52:37Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Does anyone here remember when you sprinkled clothes with water then put them in the fridge or freezer before ironing? (I do not iron anymore, but did this many years ago.) I remember that! Then again, that was last Tuesday… ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/19 "2013-11-01T20:07:53Z")
> [@Reepicheep](#): > > When I was growing up, when my father’s mother (my paternal grandmother) would come over she would take the peanut butter out of the pantry and put it in the refrig. My father and mother had settled where it should go (pantry) before I was born but no matter what, when grandma came over she would open the pantry, find the peanut bu††er and put it in the refrig. When I was a small kid, growing up in Texas without air conditioning, leaving peanut butter out in warm weather was a sure way to end up with a jar of rancid peanut butter. I don’t know if the preservatives in peanut butter are better now, or it’s just because air conditioning is universal, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem anymore. Of course, I still keep peanut butter in the refrigerator because, you know, when I was growing up peanut butter went rancid if you didn’t keep it in the refrigerator. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/20 "2013-11-01T20:12:05Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > bottles of water > [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I don’t buy bottles any more, but I could add my Brita pitcher to the above list. Even though I told myself when I came back from Cairo that I’d broken myself of the need to drink water cold, it didn’t last. Actually your body absorbs it faster when it’s [cold](http://www.healthshare.com.au/questions/46295-do-our-bodies-absorb-warm-water-quicker-than-cold-water). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860.md?page=2)