# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/61 "2013-11-02T16:34:18Z")
Revenge ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/62 "2013-11-02T16:39:29Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Why, of course! This is just a launching pad…fiddle with it to your heart’s content; you really can’t mess it up, it seems. > > 1 cup buttermilk powder > 2 tablespoon dried parsley > 1 tablespoon dried dill weed > 2 teaspoons onion powder > 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes > 1 teaspoon salt > 1 teaspoon seasoned salt > 1 teaspoon garlic powder > 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper > > Just mix it all up. If you’re in a humid environment, your [buttermilk powder](https://www.mysupermarket.com/landingpages/product.aspx?productid=4785&skipregister=true&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Search_US&utm_campaign=Google&utm_content=CPC48303&banner=248303)(it’s in the baking aisle, usually on the high shelf you don’t look at) may already be a bit clumpy. If so, just toss everything into a food processor or blender and give it a quick whirl. Store in an airtight container and use as needed. > > To make the dressing or a dip, I like to use > 1 cup plain greek yogurt > 1/2 cup mayonnaise > 1/2 cup Hellmann’s lowfat mayonnaise (yes, it has to be Hellmann’s in my house - it’s the only one that tastes right!) > A couple of spoonfuls of the ranch mix - sorry, I don’t measure. > Enough milk to make it as thin or thick as you like. > > As a variation, sometimes I add some lemon juice and honey and thin it out fairly thin with milk - it’s almost, but not quite, Sweet Tomatoes’ ranch dressing. I’m still missing something I can’t put my finger on. Tarragon, perhaps? Still experimenting. 😃 Thanks. I’ll try this. ---
**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 2, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/63 "2013-11-02T17:17:23Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Revenge We have a winner. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/64 "2013-11-02T17:54:38Z")
> [@Strangeland64](#): > > My mom keeps her bread in the fridge, she says it stays fresh longer. I don’t have room. Refrigeration actually [hastens staling, but does retard molding.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staling) So I guess it depends on what you consider “fresh.” There doesn’t seem to be much rationality behind my decisions to refrigerate or not refrigerate condiments and other foods used in small amounts for flavor. In the refrigerator: Ketchup, mustard, mayo, hoisin sauce, barbecue sauce, chili paste (cock sauce), pancake syrup (both pure maple for myself and fake for guests who prefer it), black bean sauce, pickles, sauerkraut In the cupboard: herbs, spices, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Teriyaki sauce, hot oil, hot sauce, sesame oil, tahini, molasses, corn syrup Can go either way: ground coffee, oyster sauce (I buy tall bottles and where it goes depends on where it fits), hard cheese (blocks of Pecorino Romano go in the refrigerator; cans of pre-grated Parmesan go in the cupboard on the rare occasions I buy any) ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/65 "2013-11-02T18:06:03Z")
People are actually arguing about whether or not you need to refrigerate mayonnaise? LOL. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/66 "2013-11-02T18:10:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Ok, based on some place with a name like the American Mayonaisse Association or something like that, and my food safety classes, mayonaisse will not go bad. That’s some real ignorance fighting, right there. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/67 "2013-11-02T23:33:40Z")
Peppermint foot lotion, it feels better going on when it’s cold. Fruit cups, they taste better when they’re cold. I keep bread in the fridge too, I’d rather it be a little stale than moldy. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/68 "2013-11-03T00:30:20Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > I don’t believe sugar particularly needs to be refrigerated… Dry sugar, nope. Wet sugar? Ever heard of fermentation or botulism? Now, if you bought ketchup that didn’t have sugar in it, maybe you could leave it out, but it’d probably cost you $5 a bottle. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/69 "2013-11-03T02:19:56Z")
Coffee. Currently in use open container goes in the fridge, yet-to-be opened container in the freezer. Cooking oil, including EVOO, despite the fact that it gels and is enormously inconvenient to use when cold. Rather inconvenient than rancid, and I just go through it very slowly. Mascara. I buy it on sale and then keep it in the freezer until I’m ready to open it. Bread. Yes, it gets stale, but it doesn’t get moldy, and I generally toast it anyway. I thought I was the only one who did that with the canned tuna. I’ll bookmark this for the next time my brother starts in about how weird it is. 😉 Just make sure it’s packed in water. If it’s packed in oil you’ll never get it drained! ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/70 "2013-11-03T02:57:08Z")
Liquid, flavored coffee creamer. I noticed in the ingredients there is nothing dairy; it’s pretty much just corn syrup and hydrogenated something or other. And nothing on any of the creamers that I buy say ‘refrigerate after opening’, so I take it to work and leave it in my desk so it doesn’t get used up by someone else at the office, hehe. The site for the creamer I get gets lots of questions about how to store it, and they do say ‘refrigeration is preferable’, but it doesn’t last long enough to go bad; lasts at least a week, which is how long it takes me to go through it. Also, warm creamer doesn’t cool my coffee off as much. However, MrTao figures if it’s sold cold it’s supposed to be cold but meh. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/71 "2013-11-03T02:58:45Z")
Butter, most of the time. I use it so slowly that if I leave it out on the counter, it goes rancid. Bailey’s Irish Creme. My dark chocolate. For some reason I like it better that way. Warms and melts in my mouth. you say ‘not in your hands’ and I’ll kill you. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/72 "2013-11-03T10:25:26Z")
I keep my onions in the fridge because, as someone upthread said, you don’t cry when you cut them. If the fridge is crammed full for some reason, then I just put two or three onions in at a time. The onions certainly don’t need the refrigeration…but I vastly prefer being able to cut them up without leaking tears. ---
**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 3, 2013, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/73 "2013-11-03T12:44:51Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > I thought I was the only one who did that with the canned tuna. I’ll bookmark this for the next time my brother starts in about how weird it is. 😉 Just make sure it’s packed in water. If it’s packed in oil you’ll never get it drained! I buy the tuna packed in olive oil and don’t worry about draining it, as it tastes better than water packed and the olive oil is good for you. > [@Taomist](#): > > Liquid, flavored coffee creamer. …snip… What’s your favorite brand and flavor? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/74 "2013-11-03T13:14:59Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Now, if you bought ketchup that didn’t have sugar in it, maybe you could leave it out, but it’d probably cost you $5 a bottle. > [@Heinz Ketchup FAQ](#): > > Q: Do I need to refrigerate Ketchup? > A: Because of its natural acidity, Heinz® Ketchup is shelf-stable. However, its stability after opening can be affected by storage conditions. We recommend that this product, like any processed food, be refrigerated after opening. Refrigeration will maintain the best product quality after opening. > > [Heinz Official Site - Heinz Australia | Heinz | Heinz](http://www.heinzketchup.com/faq.aspx) Practically every restaurant in America (ok, not the fancy ones) leave ketchup sitting on tables, all day, without refrigeration. They do refrigerate it at night. Of course restaurants tend to turn through ketchup a lot more quickly than homes, but the vinegar and salt components of ketchup make it pretty safe at room temperature. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/75 "2013-11-03T14:43:14Z")
> [@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. Yep. I do this too. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/76 "2013-11-03T14:57:55Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > [buttermilk powder](https://www.mysupermarket.com/landingpages/product.aspx?productid=4785&skipregister=true&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Search_US&utm_campaign=Google&utm_content=CPC48303&banner=248303) Holy shit that’s expensive!! Our little store here in BFE sells it for around $5. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/77 "2013-11-03T16:15:39Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Holy shit that’s expensive!! Our little store here in BFE sells it for around $5. It was $3.95 at Walmart yesterday at that link. I have no idea what their algorithms are for which store/price they link to. Yes, I generally pay about $5 at the grocery store by me. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/78 "2013-11-03T18:46:52Z")
Shows 3.54 for me today. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/79 "2013-11-03T22:14:09Z")
Eggs, a custom I got after one of my brothers, then a toddler, upturned the egg basket. The person who opens the unopened carton of milk or juice must put another one in, so cold milk or juice is available at all times for those who like it so. The penalty for those who forget to replace the unopened carton still is being the next person to do the heavy shopping (seriously: Middlebro forgot several months ago while at Mom’s and we informed him that he had to get her water and milk within the next week or else. The “or else” was threatening enough that he did it and hasn’t forgotten again). ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860/80 "2013-11-03T23:50:29Z")
Whether mayo goes bad unrefrigerated or not, it’s certainly gross to use warm, so it must be refrigerated no matter what. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-put-in-the-refrigerator-freezer-that-dont-need-refrigeration/672860.md?page=5)