Dorm Room 101: How to Stock a Mini-Fridge

While living in the dorms is a lot of fun, one has to be careful about how they use their space.

For almost everyone, a full refrigerator is completely out of the question. There may be a fridge in the dorm hall, but that poses its own problems. Namely, food is exposed and vulnerable to hungry dormmates raiding the fridge. So then, what is one to do? Many opt to use a mini fridge. It fits well in the dorm room, and stores plenty of food you can eat between meals. It is small though.

So, a few useful tips to optimize space is in order.

Be Mindful of Food Packaging

A lot of items from the grocery store come in excessive packaging. If you store your goods in ziploc bags, you’ll save precious space in the mini fridge.

Forget Condiments

Ketchup, mayonnaise, soy sauce, hot sauce, hotter hot sauce, mustard, dijon mustard, spicy dijon mustard – condiments start to add up quick, and they take up a ton of space. Try to limit yourself to only a few, the ones you use all the time.

Otherwise, you won’t have room for actual food

Don’t Buy Easily Perishable Items

This is important for two reasons. First, if something spoils, it’s liable to contaminate the entire mini fridge, not to mention funk up the entire dorm room. Second, mini fridges are less stable in their constant temperature than full fridges. Meaning, they’re liable to vary in their coolness from time to time. There’s always the danger that vulnerable foods like meat are going to go bad.

Clean It Out

Clear out your mini fridge every two weeks or so. If something has been there that long, it’s likely nobody is going to eat it. When that happens, it’s just taking up that sweet, sweet space. Cleaning out your mini fridge ensures you’re getting the most out of it.

Take Out the Shelf

Need space for bigger items? Consider taking out the shelf. This way, you’ll make more room for groceries.

There are also a few food items we would recommend you consider putting in your mini fridge to maximize your dorm room experience.

Orange Juice

This is the perfect beverage to have on hand. Wake up late for class, and it works as liquid breakfast. Flu spreading through the dorm? Bulk up your vitamin C intake and dodge getting sick. Plus, it’s great for mixing or chasing other beverages.

Cheese Sticks

Not only do they taste great, but they come individually wrapped. It really doesn’t get more convenient than that.

Otter Pops

These frozen treats are perfect for the dorm. First off, they’re incredibly cheap. Next, they’re individually sealed, keeping it easy. More importantly, they’re fun. They’re perfect for offering guests or for having a cool snack on a warm afternoon. You can even put them in a drink as a makeshift ice cube.

With all this in mind, you’re sure to get the most of your mini fridge, and live in the dorm in style.