My Freezer Was a Disaster—Here’s How I Organized It

Unlike my fridge—with its many drawers, shelves, and condiment racks for storage—my bottom-drawer freezer functions like a toy chest. It’s easy to toss something in, and even easier to lose it in a jumble of bagged vegetables and fruits, impulse buys f…

Unlike my fridge—with its many drawers, shelves, and condiment racks for storage—my bottom-drawer freezer functions like a toy chest. It’s easy to toss something in, and even easier to lose it in a jumble of bagged vegetables and fruits, impulse buys from Trader Joe’s, and various mystery containers.

I know I’m not the only one who treats their freezer like the land that time forgot. Recently, when a community member asked our Food52 Collective for tips on how to get her freezer in shape, it triggered a chorus of sympathetic complaints, and motivated me to bring order to my own frozen abyss.

Read More >>

Is There Really a Right Way to Store Spices?

Take a peek at your spice cabinet: If it’s anything like mine, you’ve got a mix of plastic and glass jars, and maybe a few pouches here and there, too. All of them are from different retailers, ranging from the nearby dollar store to Kalustyan’s, and t…

Take a peek at your spice cabinet: If it’s anything like mine, you’ve got a mix of plastic and glass jars, and maybe a few pouches here and there, too. All of them are from different retailers, ranging from the nearby dollar store to Kalustyan’s, and there’s at least one duplicate bottle, from the time you forgot you already had a certain spice at home—in my case, cardamom.

Though it’s not the prettiest or best-organized cabinet out there, it’s deeply functional, and that’s what matters most to me. However, I wondered if—given the variety of spices in my kitchen (and their containers)—there was anything I could or should be doing to extend their shelf lives. Though spices don’t typically go bad or mold like other ingredients, they can lose their potency in a matter of months. So, I reached out to Ethan Frisch, co-founder and co-CEO of Burlap & Barrel, a spice company that works directly with farmers to source its products, who had an unorthodox answer to my spice storage question.

Read More >>

4 Simple Tips to Make Decluttering Your Home a Breeze

This article originally appeared on Schoolhouse, a Portland-based company in the Food52 family of brands.

We know that living in a cluttered space can have negative affects on your mood, productivity, and overall well-being. A clutter-free home is n…

This article originally appeared on Schoolhouse, a Portland-based company in the Food52 family of brands.


We know that living in a cluttered space can have negative affects on your mood, productivity, and overall well-being. A clutter-free home is not only visually appealing, but also brings a sense of calm and order to your everyday routines. As the temperatures start to drop and we begin to embrace all things cozy, there's never been a better time to prepare your home for the season of hosting and gathering ahead. Below, we share some of our favorite tips to help you simplify your space and create a peaceful sanctuary that you and your guests will enjoy all season long.

Read More >>