Throw away food before or after vacation?

[365247]

Throw out before.

Supposedly though, an empty refrigerator takes more energy to maintain cold temperatures than one that isn't.

[TheShadow]

We eat it up, or if it's getting a little old anyway I throw it out. I keep my fridge pretty well cleaned up all the time with just yesterday's leftovers, or fresh food that will be cooked up in the next 3 or 4 days. Except condiments like ketchup or salad dressing in bottles, those stick around for weeks.

OP, you need to buy milk in quart or half gallon containers. That's what they're made for. Or buy Ultra-pasteurized milk which stays fresh much longer than regular pasteurized. Some day you are going to get very sick if you keeping eating spoiled food.

[jlawrence01]

Since my trips are generally 3-5 weeks in duration, I clean out the refrigerator and freezer prior to a trip. I will admit that some of the meals the week before look like something you would find in a Chopped competition.

In addition to using up all of the perishables, we go through the refrigerator door and clean out the condiments that have become crusty and the like.

As for milk, we always buy by the gallon ($1.99 gallon, $1.79 half gallon) and freeze three one-quart containers. That way, milk never spoils.

[Kaphawoman]

Throw out before. If I'm coming home from a long drive or a hectic flight, I want to just relax and not have to clean.