Our site uses cookies to give you the best experience. Manage your cookies here or continue shopping if you're happy.

Accept & close
Skip to main content
Basket

    Christmas food storing habits are dividing UK households

    It turns out that where you store your food at Christmas is diving households, that’s why we went out to 2,000 Brits to uncover their challenges when it comes to festive food preparation and storage.  

    From organising fridge freezers for the big day to managing leftovers, we’ve compiled the data to reveal which regions waste their festive food the most.

    We’ve drafted in our experts to help make your Christmas stress-free and your food go further. With clever storage hacks, expert tips, and appliance know-how, we’re tackling festive food waste head-on.

    From prepping your appliances to keeping your ingredients fresher for longer, we’re sharing all the advice you need to enjoy an organised and efficient Christmas kitchen, leaving you more time to savour the celebrations!

    Brits to Waste Nearly £3 Million on Festive Leftovers

    Festive food waste hotspots across the UK have been ranked, and the results may surprise you. Our findings show the percentage of people in each city who admit to wasting food at Christmas.

    The Solution – How to manage festive food effectively to avoid waste

    To help you prepare for the influx of festive food, we spoke to Kate Hall, food waste expert from @TheFullFreezer, who shared her top tips for organising your fridge freezer and minimising waste.

    Fridge Organisation Tips:

    • Drawers: Fruit & veg
    • Top Shelf: Dairy
    • Middle Shelf: Pre-cooked meats & deli products
    • Bottom Shelf: Raw meat & fish
    • Fridge Door: Chutney, cranberry sauce, champagne

    40% of Brits struggle to organise their fridge freezer with the additional festive food. With Kate’s advice, you’ll maximise storage space and keep everything accessible.

    What to do with Christmas leftovers

    To help you prepare for the influx of festive food, we spoke to Kate Hall, food waste expert from @TheFullFreezer, who shared her top tips for organising your fridge freezer and minimising waste.

    On average UK families waste almost £300 million of festive food every year, with Brits citing that brussell sprouts, cauliflower and turkey are the items most commonly binned.

    To help combat wastage this year, Kate shared what to do with leftovers to minimise food waste and maximise the value of festive meals.

    Keeping Leftovers Safe

    Freezing Leftover Christmas Dinner Items

    Reheating Rules

    Avoid reheating leftovers more than once. For example, if you want to make a turkey curry, prepare the base sauce separately, cool it, and then add cold, cooked turkey before freezing. This way, the turkey will only be reheated once when you’re ready to eat.

    Freezing Veggies and Stuffing

    Chop stuffing into smaller pieces and open freeze them on a lined tray before transferring them to a freezer bag. Cooked vegetables like carrots and parsnips can also be open frozen.

    Sauces

    Portion out leftover sauces (as long as they haven’t been reheated already) and freeze them flat in bags or in ice cube trays. Be cautious with gravy made from granules, as it’s not ideal for freezing.

    Cheese

    Soft cheeses should be portioned, wrapped in baking parchment and foil, then stored in a freezer bag. Grate hard cheeses before freezing for easy use straight from the freezer in cooking or sandwiches.

    Repurposing Items That Can’t Be Frozen

    Some foods don’t freeze well but can still be put to good use:

    Veggie Soup Concentrate: Blend leftover vegetables into a puree to create a ""soup concentrate."" Freeze in ice cube trays or flat in bags for portioned use. When ready to enjoy, mix 180–200g of puree with 150–250ml hot water and a quarter of a stock cube (or 1/4 tsp stock paste). Heat until piping hot and add turkey chunks or crumbled stuffing for extra flavour.

    Get inspired

    Our tips on how to do your appliance MOT

    Staying organised is key to reducing festive food waste. But it’s not just about how you store and use your food – your kitchen appliances also play a critical role.

    A third of Brits worry about their appliances breaking down over Christmas, with 54% saying they couldn’t live without their oven and 49% relying heavily on their fridge. The extra demand during the festive season can strain appliances, so ensuring they’re in top working condition is essential.

    That’s why we’ve teamed up with AO’s expert engineer, Tom, to share simple tips for giving your appliances a quick MOT. These checks will help you catch any potential issues early, so you can focus on enjoying the festivities rather than worrying about last-minute breakdowns.

    How to Check Your Oven

    Check the seals

    It’s always worth paying special attention to the condition of the door seal on your oven. This will naturally degrade over time, and if damaged, heat will escape. The seal may require replacing every so often, so make sure to check it in advance before you pop your Christmas dinner in.

    Scrape off any rust

    When it comes to the oven racks, make sure you look thoroughly to see if you spot any rust. Rust will slowly kill your oven and can cause further damage to your dishes.

    To remove this, take some aluminium foil and warm water then scrub the rack until all rust has disappeared. Not only will you be left with shiny looking racks, but also a healthier oven interior.

    Listen to the fan

    Listen for any unusual knocking noises coming from the fan the next time your oven is on as this may indicate worn spindle bearings.

    If this has happened, you’ll need a qualified appliance engineer to come in before Christmas and fix your oven before the big day.

    Heating element

    If your electric oven’s light doesn’t come on and your heating element isn’t glowing, then your oven will not heat up this Christmas.

    Replacing a heating element is costly business and it may be far cheaper to get a new oven altogether.

    Give your oven a clean

    Make sure to look out for any build-up of dirt – this if left untreated will cause damage and deteriorate your oven.

    Before you pop your Christmas dinner in, scrub away any stubborn grime or grease using vinegar and a cloth to make sure everything is working efficiently.

    How to Check Your Fridge Freezer

    Investigate the gaskets

    Air escaping your fridge could lead to a Christmas disaster and spoiled food. To test this, place a piece of paper between the seals and door.

    If your seals are working, the paper shouldn’t budge when pulled. If the seals are broken the paper will fall away easily.

    Clean the condenser

    A little-known fault that creates an overheating fridge is a blocked condenser – the grill at the back of your fridge. This should be cleaned with a vacuum or brush to allow the fridge to retain cold air. If cleaned and your fridge still overheats, it might be time to do some fridge freezer shopping

    Set the right temperature

    The ideal temperature for any household fridge is between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius. To adjust the fridge temperature, simply locate and twist the dial inside the appliance, however, any change to the temperature will take up to 24 hours to settle.

    Check for frost build-up

    Frost accumulation in your freezer can reduce its efficiency and storage space. If you spot ice build-up, defrost your freezer by unplugging it and letting the ice melt naturally.

    Inspect the fridge light

    A faulty fridge light could mean more than just darkness; it may indicate an electrical issue. Replace the bulb and, if problems persist, consult an expert.

    Check for leaks

    Any pooling water or leaks inside your fridge could signal a clogged drain or faulty part. Unblock the drain with warm water or seek professional help if the issue persists.

    Shop Ovens