What tools help track pantry items and expiry dates?

Question

What tools can help you track your pantry items and expiry dates? Discover apps and simple checklist methods to reduce food waste.

Answer 1

Several apps and tools can help track pantry items and expiry dates, including dedicated pantry management apps like PantryCheck and Sortly, as well as general note-taking apps with reminder features like Google Keep or Evernote.

Detailed Explanation:

Keeping track of your pantry inventory and expiry dates can save you money and reduce food waste. Here's a breakdown of how different tools can help:

1. Pantry Management Apps: These apps are specifically designed for pantry organization. They often include features like barcode scanning to quickly add items, customizable categories, expiry date tracking with reminders, and recipe suggestions based on your inventory. Examples include PantryCheck, Sortly, and Grocy.

2. Spreadsheets: A simple spreadsheet (like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel) can be a great free option. Create columns for item name, quantity, purchase date, and expiry date. You can set up conditional formatting to highlight items nearing their expiry date.

3. Note-Taking Apps: Apps like Google Keep, Evernote, or OneNote can be used to create a pantry list. While they might not have dedicated expiry date tracking, you can set reminders for each item or create a separate list of expiry dates.

4. Smart Home Devices: Some smart refrigerators have built-in cameras and inventory management features. These can automatically track what's inside and send expiry date notifications.

Pro Tip:

When adding items to your chosen tracking system, always double-check the expiry date on the packaging. It's easy to misread or accidentally skip this step, leading to inaccurate tracking.