For many families and individuals in the UK, food waste is a massive – and expensive – issue.
There’s nothing more annoying than clearing out the fridge at the end of the week and having to throw away fresh produce that you didn’t get a chance to eat or make into a meal.
And, with the cost of living still rising, finding clever ways to make the most of every item in your cupboard has never been more important.
When it comes to tinned food, most people don’t give much thought to how they’re stored.
But according to storage expert Scott Evans from the self-storage company Pink Storage, one simple trick could make a big difference.
When tins sit upright in your cupboard, gravity naturally pulls the food to the bottom over time.
This is especially true for thicker foods like baked beans, soups, or tinned fruit in syrup. The contents settle, and when you finally open the tin, a stubborn layer can stick to the bottom, making it hard to scrape everything out.
While you could use a spoon like most people do to scoop the rest out, most of the time we are all guilty of throwing whatever is left in the tin in the bin.
Scott explained: “When you store tins upside down, the food inside shifts and settles closer to the lid. This simple flip means that when you open the tin, the contents are more evenly distributed, making it easier to pour or scoop everything out without leaving anything stuck behind.”
Over time, food in tins with higher sugar or starch content can thicken and cling to the base. This happens naturally, especially in cooler storage spaces.
When you store tins upside down, the contents don’t get a chance to settle in one spot for too long, which reduces how much food sticks when you eventually open it.
“It’s such an easy trick, but it works,” said Scott. “You’ll notice it most with foods like condensed soup or tinned fruit, where the syrup or sauce often pools at the bottom. Flipping the tin redistributes everything evenly.”
Aside from making tins easier to empty, this hack helps reduce food waste. If you’ve ever struggled to scrape out the last spoonful of tomato soup or custard from a tin, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to leave food behind.
“It’s not just about convenience, it’s about value,” Scott added. “Every bit of food left stuck in a tin is food you’ve paid for. By flipping your tins, you’re making sure you get every last drop.”
For thicker contents like baked beans or tinned pasta, Scott recommends giving the tin a quick shake before placing it upside down in your cupboard.
Scott said: “A gentle shake helps redistribute the food even more, ensuring it doesn’t all settle in one spot. It’s a tiny extra step, but it makes a big difference when it’s time to open the tin.”
