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.

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