Refrigerators are incredible mechanisms that have been designed to provide secure places to store foods in order to prevent the growth of bacteria and keep foods safe for consumption. Ideally, refrigerators should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Storing certain foods within a refrigerator can extend their life. However, there are certain foods that should never be placed inside of a refrigerator to ensure they do not spoil and become ruined:

1. Coffee
If coffee is already brewed it may be stored in the refrigerator. However, if it is not in an airtight sealed container it can quickly spoil. It should also be noted that it will most likely lose its quality of flavor more quickly. As for coffee beans, these should never be stored inside of the refrigerator. Beans should be kept in a cooler storage spot but the fridge and freezer can create an excess of moisture. This moisture in turn can make the beans spoil as well as ruin the flavor of the bean.

2. Hot sauces
Most hot sauces state they need to be refrigerated after opening. However, contrary to popular belief, these products actually do not need to be refrigerated after opening. Most hot sauces are inhospitable to food borne illnesses making them completely safe to store them in a cabinet or pantry at room temperatures for an extended time.

3. Ripe tomatoes
Tomatoes should not be placed inside of the fridge if they are already at their ripe stage. When they are placed in the fridge the cold temperatures are known to kill the enzymes that produce the flavors. Additionally if a tomato is ripe the refrigerator can cause cells to rupture and overall ruin the textures of the food.

4. Bananas
This fruit can be tricky to keep fresh. It is not recommended to store them inside of the fridge because if they are ripe they will stay for a few days. However, if the banana is not ripe they will stay at their current stage and the peal will begin to turn black. This can create a very unappealing appearance. Instead, it is recommended to store bananas on the counter or pantry where they can be at room temperature until eaten.

5. Honey
This is one kitchen staple that will thrive within pantry storage. Honey is by far one of the easiest items to store in a pantry because the product thrives in a darker cooler space. When this food is placed inside of the refrigerator, it has a tendency to solidify and even potentially become crystalized.

6. Fresh herbs
There are certain herbs that can be refrigerated. However, the majority of fresh herbs can quickly turn slimy and break down when they have too much moisture. Additionally, if the fridge is too dry they can also end up expiring. By providing the herbs with water and the proper amount of light; the plants are sure to thrive at room temperature.

At the end of the day, freshness could come first. In order to have the highest quality of products around, these guidelines should be followed. If these foods are no longer taking up space inside of the refrigerator, there will be more room for other foods and flavors.