26
Use & Care Guide
Food Storage Chart
Storage times are approximate and may vary depending on type of packaging, storage temperature,
and the quality of the food when purchased.
Foods
Refrigerator
Freezer
Storage Tips
Dairy Products
Butter
1 month
6 to 9 months
Wrap tightly or cover
Milk and cream
1 week
Not recommended
Check carton date. Close tightly. Don’t
return unused portions to original contain-
er. Don’t freeze cream unless whipped.
Cream cheese, cheese spread
and cheese food
1 to 2 weeks
Not recommended
Wrap tightly
Cottage cheese
3 to 5 days
Not recommended
Store in original carton. Check carton
date.
Sour cream
10 days
Not recommended
Store in original carton. Check carton
date
Hard cheese
(Swiss, cheddar and parme-
san
1 to 2 months
4 to 6 months. May
become crumbly.
Wrap tightly. Cut off any mold.
Eggs
Eggs in the shell
3 weeks
Not recommended
Refrigerate small ends down.
Leftover yolks or whites
2 to 4 days
9 to 12 months
For each cup of yolks to be frozen, add 1
tsp. suger for use in sweet, or 1 tsp. salt
for non-sweet dishes.
Fruits
Apples
1 month
8 months (cooked)
May also store unripe or hard apples at
60° to 70°F (16° to 21°C).
Bananas
2 to 4 days
6 months (whole/
peeled)
Ripen at room temperature before refrig-
erating. Bananas darken when refriger-
ated.
Pears, plums, avocados
3 to 4 days
Not recommended
Ripen at room temperature before refrig-
erating. Avacados darken when refriger-
ated.
Berries, cherries, apricots
2 to 3 days
6 months
Ripen at room temperature before refrig-
erating.
Grapes
3 to 5 days
1 month (whole)
Ripen at room temperature before refrig-
erating.
Citrus fruits
1 to 2 weeks
Not recommended
May also store at 60° to 70°F (16° to
21°C). If refrigerated, store uncovered.
Pineapples, cut
2 to 3 days
6 to 12 months
Will not ripen after purchase. Use
quickly.
Vegetables
Asparagus
1 to 2 days
8 to 10 months
Do not wash before refrigerating. Store in
crisper
Brussels sprouts, broccoli,
cauliflower, green peas, lima
beans, onions, peppers
3 to 5 days
8 to 10 months
Wrap odorous foods. Leave peas in pods.
