Home Organizing Kitchen Organizing 10 Things You Really Shouldn't Refrigerate Some things are simply better left at room temperature. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 8, 2023 Medically reviewed by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN Medically reviewed by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN Instagram Website Kristy Del Coro is a registered dietitian nutritionist, RDN, and professionally trained chef with more than 10 years of experience in the field of culinary nutrition. Her strong background in nutrition science, sustainable food systems, and culinary education makes her exceptionally qualified to write about food that is good for us and the planet—while not sacrificing flavor. Learn More Fact checked by Isaac Winter Fact checked by Isaac Winter Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images The refrigerator may seem like an all-purpose spot for storing different kinds of food, but that's not really the case—certain foods have no business hanging out in the fridge. While this space is typically reserved for vegetable and fruit storage, (meats and dairy belong in the refrigerator, naturally), these rules aren't always true. Certain veggies and condiments thrive best at temperatures above that of a chilly refrigerator, and storing them in the fridge can actually shorten their shelf lives—and even worsen the quality of the food. Follow our guideline and earn where to keep your food so it lasts longer—what could be better than saving money while cutting down on food waste? With any luck, you'll never reach for a loaf of bread only to find it past its prime again. How to Store Pumpkin Pie 01 of 10 Hot Sauce Foodcollection/Getty Images Hot sauce can live happily in the pantry for up to three years, so there is no need to stick it in the fridge. 02 of 10 Potatoes Brian Hagiwara/Getty Images Refrigeration adversely affects the flavor of potatoes, so store them in the pantry in paper bags—plastic bags trap moisture and speed up decay. Most varieties should last three weeks. 03 of 10 Bread Robin MacDougall/Getty Images The refrigerator dries bread out fast. Instead, keep what you'll eat within four days at room temperature and freeze the rest. 04 of 10 Onions Mike Kemp/Getty Images Onions like their original mesh bag (or any bag that allows for air circulation) in the pantry. Just keep onions away from potatoes, which emit moisture and gases that can cause onions to rot. 05 of 10 Batteries Michele Gastl Stash batteries in a drawer at room temperature. Extreme cold (or heat) can diminish performance. 06 of 10 Garlic Davies & Starr Garlic will do well for two months in the pantry. Store it loose, so air can move around it. 07 of 10 Tomatoes Keate Tomatoes can get mealy in the fridge, so leave them on a counter, out of plastic bags. To speed ripening, store them in a paper bag. Once ripe, they'll last for about three days. 08 of 10 Coffee Yagi Studio/Getty Images The fridge (and the freezer) create condensation, which can affect the flavor of both ground coffee and coffee beans. Coffee fares best in an airtight container in the pantry, instead. 09 of 10 Nail Polish Brand X Pictures/Getty Images Keeping nail polish in the fridge can cause it to thicken. Store nail polish at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, for best results. 10 of 10 Winter Squashes Pamela Moore/Getty Images You've surely picked one up at the farmers market and thought: "Does squash need to be refrigerated?" Varieties of squash such as acorn, butternut, delicata, and spaghetti will last for about a month or more in the pantry. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit