How do you ever remember what’s in the refrigerator? Boat refrigerators are small, with lots of food packed in. Whether it’s a top loading or front loading, it can be hard to remember what there is, where it is, and what needs to be eaten pretty soon.
A couple days ago, I saw a Facebook post by Brittany of Windtraveler (FB page; blog) with a great idea that she’d gotten from Jody of Where the Coconuts Grow (FB page; blog). She graciously allowed me to share the idea and her photos here. I love how cruisers all share information!
Said Brittany:
Write what you have in there on a dry-erase board! Still perfecting my system – but now I can meal plan a bit better, save some energy not having to open the fridge and rifle through to see what we have, and will always be reminded of what we need to use soon, saving on food waste!
You could also use a chalk board — or paint an area with chalk paint. Jody says they write on a mirror that’s above their refrigerator (use window markers). See more about this here.
I’ve just added a white board to my Amazon list of things to order as soon as we’re back aboard. I always forget about something that’s in back and end up with something that spoils. I think this is one idea that will pay for itself very, very quickly. And it’d be every bit as good when living on land!
As a student and then in my first jobs, I used white boards a lot. When I saw Jody & Brittany’s idea, all I could do is wonder why I’d never thought of something so simple!
You can often find white boards at the dollar store, but be careful of the quality — I’ve had boards where you can never really erase the writing and after a short while nothing is legible.
It’s helpful if the board has a clip for the special marker (and be sure to get a couple of extra markers, as it’s totally unusable if you lose a marker or it dries out).
Use Command Strips to hang the board without harming the underlying surface. You really don’t need a special eraser — a bit of paper towel or clean rag works just as well to update the list.
You can find white boards in most office supply and big box stores. In addition, Amazon has a good selection of boards and accessories. I’ll admit, I often use Amazon when we’re on the boat instead of trying to find something in a local store in an unfamiliar town. My Prime membership really pays for itself.
- 11″ x 14″ white board, marker and eraser (board is magnetic, which is a bonus)
- 8-1/2″ by 11″ white board with marker
- 2-pack black markers with ultra-fine tip
I’m thinking that a second dry erase board would also be good for posting a meal plan!
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Candy Ann Williams says
Great idea! I hate to riffle through and let all the cold air out…plus this way maybe I won’t waste any produce!! Thanks again for another helpful hint!!
Jane Gammons says
This is a helpful Idea I use by my chest freezer. I should use it for the side by side also. You can also put dates telling you how long some item has been there. Like the turkey I bought on sale last Thanksgiving……
BJ says
Also a bit of WD-40 will rid your white board of lingering marker residue…
Jim Shell says
On Phantom we use a ball bearing memo clip, Metalla “Stainless Steel Magnetic Memo Clips”, for this same function, attached with hot glue. It hangs at eye level and doubles as a recipe holder as well as a place to hang other reminders. We have a second wooden ball bearing towel holder that uses a marble as the ball bearing that holds our dish towels. A similar wooden holder was available at Michael’s craft store as a quilt holder. We purchased ours in Port Townsend, Washington at a curio/gift shop.
Around 'n Circles says
Thank you for sharing!!
Terri Zorn says
Wow, that’s sure a good idea ! 🙂
Jim Shell says
The towel holder mentioned earlier is a fancy version of the Dritz Quilting Quilt Hangers available at JoAnne Fabric and Craft Store for about $14,00 for a pair. They are raw wood and can be reshaped and finished to your wish. Hot glue, Command Strips or double sided tape to attach to the surface. This has been a great towel holder!
Brittany Meyers says
Thanks for sharing! (And especially tanks to Jody from Where The Coconuts Grow! For making our galley life easier!) ha!
Lisa Kim Hublitz says
so simple and so smart! thanks!
Nancy L. Beukema says
I’ve put food inplastic storage containers and labeled them with masking tape. I like the dry eraase board idea.
Frances Liz Fernandez says
This is so timely!!! Works for land based refrigerators as well. Freezer was jam packed full but I didn’t really have any meat in there… turns out I found about a dozen frozen bananas (or more) I thought I’d save to make a cake or muffins “one of these days”. Mystery meat packages…so I thought I’d keep track making an inventory list. The dry erase would.be perfect
Where The Coconuts Grow says
Thanks Carolyn! Glad you found it helpful too 🙂
The Boat Galley says
It’s great! As soon as we get to the boat, I’m getting a dry erase!
Russ fink says
We use a free app on our iPhones called Wonderlist. That saves the space of a whiteboard, and the lists automatically share with those designated. It also works even better for provisioning lists.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I use list apps for many things but I think for me having the visual reference right by the fridge would work better. Great idea if it works for you!
Carolyn Brown Fuller says
I have a dry erase/magnetic board for misc notes. Now it can serve another use! Fyi, use rubbing alcohol to clean one.
Marie Raney says
I’m thinking of painting the bulkhead next to my top-loading fridge with chalkboard paint (comes in lots of colors or clear). Rather than having another thing to bang around!
Agua Salada says
Beer
Deviant Dream says
You can also pick up some WET erase markers. I love these as they don’t wipe off when they are touched inadvertently. Just a damp towel and they clean right up.
Carolyn Shearlock says
That’s what we eventually did.
Barbara Neumeyer says
We’re not “live aboards” yet, that’s to come in the next 3 years after selling the “Farm”, literally. Having raised 7 kids and having 2 full Freezers and 2 refrigerators, I’ve learned that not only writing down what’s in each appliance but “mapping” items is very helpful. I’m thinking that with the downsizing , that this will be required more than helpful in knowing what’s what and what’s where.
Marie says
For boats without spare bulkhead space in the right shape for a board, I recommend writeyboard or other flexible stick-on white boards that can be cut to size.
Tracy on Contessa says
I’ve been using whiteboard and chalkboard all over my house and boat for checklists shopping lists etc. I love that I can move them and don’t need mounting hardware.
There are many shapes sizes available, sheets, rolls, blank calendars, etc.
Ilook for removable whiteboard or chalkboard decals on Amazon for examples.
Diane Zbasnik says
If a whiteboard doesn’t work or no space, consider a Rocketbook. It’s a spiral notebook that uses erasable pens. You can take photos, send it to an email or dive and it will transcribe.