The Definitive Guide to Crisper Drawers

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Nearly every new refrigerator comes equipped with crisper drawers, but are you using them to their full potential? In this article the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service break down everything you need to know about the mysterious crisper drawers…

What is a crisper drawer, and how does it work?

The crisper drawer is a small section inside of your fridge that offers a humidity-controlled environment for fresh produce. Most refrigerators come with two drawers, each with a fully-adjustable humidity slider. You can use these to set the humidity level anywhere from “low” to “high”, or in some cases, “fruit” to “vegetable”.

The science behind crisper drawers is relatively simple. They have a small hole in them that allows moisture and ethylene gas (which will be explained later) to escape. By adjusting the slider, you are simply revealing or obstructing this hole, thereby controlling the humidity level.

What should I store in my crisper drawers?

It’s no coincidence that most refrigerators come with two drawers – one for your fruits, and one for your vegetables. As most fruits ripen, they emit ethylene gas. On the other hand, vegetables are sensitive to this gas, and it can cause them to spoil prematurely. If you want to maximize the shelf life of your produce, you should keep them separated for this exact reason.

Unfortunately, there are a few tricky exceptions to the fruit and vegetable rule. Use this list as a guide for storing your produce:

High-Humidity (Vegetable) Drawer

  • Most vegetables

  • Watermelon

  • Strawberries

  • Unripe bananas

Low-Humidity (Fruit) Drawer

  • Most fruits

  • Avocados

  • Tomatoes

  • Ripe bananas

To learn more about the humidity drawers in your refrigerator, check out this article from The Kitchn.

If you run into any problems with your crisper drawers – or anything else in your fridge – the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service are just a phone call away. We offer 24/7 service to Long Island and New York City, so call us any time at 866-782-9376.

Refrigerator Storage Hacks

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Refrigerator full of food close up

Do you struggle to fit all of your food in your refrigerator? You’re not alone. Most of us don’t have a real organization system for our fridge. Luckily, Speedy Refrigerator Service is here to help you maximize your storage space. Just follow these tips:

Rearrange your shelves.

Most refrigerators come with adjustable shelves – use these to your advantage to fit oversized or oddly-shaped items. You most likely buy the same types of food more often than not, so taking the time to rearrange your shelves once can make storage easier for years to come.

Opt for square, stackable containers.

Many of us utilize containers to store leftover food, but did you know that circular ones waste room because they don’t have corners? To maximize storage space in your refrigerator, use square or rectangular containers which can easily be stacked atop one another.

Know what doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

The easiest way to store more food in your refrigerator is by making more room. The easiest way to do this is by removing food which doesn’t need to be there. Many foods, such as bread and apples for example, are commonly stored in the refrigerator when they don’t need to be. Check out this list to see if you are keeping unnecessary foods in your fridge.

Regularly clean out your refrigerator.

This goes hand-in-hand with the last point about making more room. If you aren’t routinely cleaning out your refrigerator, you could be wasting space by storing items that have already expired. A good refrigerator cleaning routine involves removing all food from the fridge and wiping down the interior. Replace the food while throwing out any items that may have spoiled since your last cleaning.

Speedy Refrigerator Service is a New York-based refrigerator repair company. We have more than 75 years of experience fixing refrigerators and freezers across Long Island and New York City. Call us at 866-782-9376 to schedule your same-day appointment with one of our licensed technicians.

How to Baby-Proof Your Kitchen

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When it comes to infants and toddlers, nothing in the house is more dangerous than the kitchen. Between the hot stove tops, sharp knives, and cleaning products under the sink, there is a lot that can go wrong.

As a parent, it is your job to protect your kid from these dangers, and the best way to do that is by baby-proofing. Here are a few guidelines you can follow to make your kitchen a safer place for your small child:

Out of reach, out of mind.

Use your child’s height, or lack thereof, to your advantage. If your baby can’t reach an item, it (usually) isn’t dangerous. Store potentially hazardous objects in high cabinets, cook on the back burners of the stove, and keep all items towards the back of your counter tops to avoid curious hands from tugging on them and pulling them down.

Lock it away.

The golden rule of baby-proofing: if it’s unsafe, throw it out or lock it away. This is especially true in the kitchen. Put locks on your cabinets, refrigerator, and trash can; cover up your electrical outlets; and invest in a safety gate to keep your child completely out of the kitchen when needed.

Think like a child.

The best way to protect your child is to think like them. Everything and anything could be a toy – or worse, food – to their curious minds. Go through every item in your kitchen and think to yourself, “could this potentially be harmful to my child?” If the answer is yes, take preventative actions to neutralize the danger.

If you want to learn more about specific steps you can take to baby-proof your kitchen, we recommend this article from Parent Guide.

http://parent.guide/how-to-baby-proof-your-kitchen/

Speedy Refrigerator Service has been fixing refrigerators and freezers across Long Island and New York City for more than 75 years. If your refrigerator breaks down, we can get you up-and-running within just a few hours! Call us at 866-782-9376 to schedule your same-day appointment.

https://speedyrefrigeratorservice.com/

5 Refrigerator Commandments

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5 Refrigerator Commandments

If you want to keep your refrigerator clean, energy efficient, and running for a long time, just follow these five commandments from Speedy Refrigerator Service:

1). Thou shall vacuum thy condenser coils.

The condenser coils have a huge impact on the energy efficiency of your refrigerator, yet they are still neglected by most people. Clean them using the brush attachment on your vacuum every six months to keep your fridge running efficiently and extend its lifespan.

2). Thou shall practice safe food storage.

The biggest rule you need to know for safe refrigerator food storage is that your fridge should consistently be between 34-38° F. Some areas – such as the door – can get warmer than others, so you should stock your items accordingly. Here is the best way to stock your refrigerator.

3). Thou shall pay attention to the gasket.

The gasket, also known as the rubber seal around your refrigerator door, creates an airtight barrier between the inside of your refrigerator and the kitchen. One small rip or loose edge in the gasket can allow warm air to enter when the door is closed, so it is important to inspect it for damage every 4-6 weeks.

4). Thou shall not overstock or understock thy refrigerator.

The amount of food you keep in your refrigerator can impact its energy efficiency. When there is too little food, your refrigerator loses more cold air when the door is opened due to the lack of thermal mass. On the other hand, when there is too much food in the refrigerator, air can’t properly circulate and warm spots can be created.

5). Thou shall clean thy refrigerator monthly.

It shouldn’t be a surprise, but the refrigerator is one of the biggest bacteria hotspots in the home. Keep it tidy and limit germs by giving it a thorough cleaning every month that includes emptying the fridge of its contents and wiping all walls, shelves, and drawers with a disinfecting wipe.

Even if you follow these rules to a T, your refrigerator could still break down. Luckily for you, the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service can get you back up-and-running within 24 hours. If you live in New York City or Long Island, call us to schedule your same-day appointment at 866-782-9376.

A Beginner’s Guide to Storing Wine

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You don’t need to be a wine enthusiast to enjoy a nice bottle of chardonnay every now and then. If you want to get the most out of your wine and preserve its taste, the most important thing you can do is store it properly. Luckily, you don’t need a professional wine cellar to do so, just keep these tips in mind:

  • iStock_000079345037_SmallFind the ideal temperature. You don’t want to keep wine in your standard
    refrigerator. It is known that heat can damage the integrity of wine, but cold can be just as detrimental. Different types of wine are best stored at different temperatures, so refer to this chart to find what climate is best for your bottle.
  • Store it on its side. Storing wine on its side ensures that the liquid in the bottle will always be in contact with the cork. This prevents the cork from drying out and shrinking, which could allow air to enter the bottle and alter the taste.
  • Limit exposure to light. While UV rays cause the most damage to wine, artificial light from your home’s light bulbs can still affect taste and consistency.
  • Keep it consistent. Above all things, make sure to keep your storage area consistent. Fluctuations in temperature can destroy a bottle of wine, and some experts are starting to believe that vibrations (even minor ones) can speed up chemical reactions and agitate the sediment.

For most wine drinkers, a wine cooler will be sufficient to preserve your bottles, and many of them can purchased for under $200. If your wine cooler is giving you problems, the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service are just a call away. If you live on Long Island, call us for all of your refrigerator, freezer, and wine cooler repair needs at 866-782-9376.