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Refrigerator Crisper Drawer: Everything you need to know

Image Credit: Flickr

A refrigerator has various compartments and each of them is used for storing a specific type of food item as per the nature of the food and the temperature required for storing them. One such compartment or part is the Refrigerator Crisper Drawer. Do you know what a crisper drawer is? How does it work? What to store and what not to store in there? If your answer to any of these questions is no, then don’t worry, we are here to help you. In this article, we are going to discuss everything you might need to know about Refrigerator Crisper Drawer. 

What is a Crisper Drawer?

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

A Crisper Drawer is a refrigerator compartment that is designed to keep the food stored in it fresh for a longer time. The humidity level in this compartment is different from the rest of the refrigerator. The Crisper Drawer has an option to adjust its settings to prevent the moisture loss from the food as well as to help the ethylene gas produced by fruits in escaping, to prevent them from rotting. 

There are two types of Crisper Drawers, one with humidity control and the other without humidity control. The first type of Crisper Drawer has two settings on it i.e., high-humidity and low-humidity, which is usually either in the form of a small vent with a sliding door or a toggle switch. The Crisper without a control switch on it has a high-humidity setting by default. The humidity settings control the space left open in the drawer to manage the airflow in the compartment. In a high-humidity setting, the airflow in the Crisper is completely closed off while in the case of a low-humidity setting, there is a small open space to allow some airflow. 

Our Pick

Some recommended accessories that help in keeping the crisper drawer clean and organized:

  1.  PrepWorks Long Produce Keeper
  2. Prep Solutions by Progressive Lettuce Keeper Produce Storage Container
  3. LUXEAR Fresh Produce Vegetable Fruit Storage Containers
  4. Dualplex Fruit & Veggie Life Extender Liner
  5. BAKHUK 9 Pack Refrigerator Liners Refrigerator Mats Refrigerator Pads
  6. DII Fridge Liner Collection Non-Adhesive

How does a Crisper Drawer work?

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Some fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas as they start to ripen and when the gas is released in a small enclosed area like a Crisper Drawer, the other fruits and vegetables start to rot, along with the fruit and vegetable releasing the gas. The type of Crisper helps in controlling the speed of the ripening or rotting process with the help of its humidity control settings.

There are two types of Crisper Drawers, one with humidity control and the other without humidity control. The first type of Crisper Drawer has two settings on it i.e., high-humidity and low-humidity, which is usually either in the form of a small vent with a sliding door or a toggle switch. The Crisper without a control switch on it has a high-humidity setting by default. The humidity settings control the space left open in the drawer to manage the airflow in the compartment. In a high-humidity setting, the airflow in the Crisper is completely closed off while in the case of a low-humidity setting, there is a small open space to allow some airflow. Therefore, storing the right food in the right type of crisper drawer is necessary to keep the food fresh.  

What to store where?

Image Credit: Flickr

The fruits and vegetables that release ethylene and are prone to rot in the presence of higher moisture are best suited to be stored in the low-humidity crisper. Some of the ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables that belong in the low-humidity crisper are ripe bananas, apricots, apples, avocados, peaches, pears, kiwi, plums, nectarines, and fig.

While the fruits and vegetables prone to sagging or wilting need more moisture to stay fresh for a longer time and thus should be stored in the high-humidity crisper to maintain their freshness or crispiness. Asparagus, broccoli, lettuces, green leafy vegetables, eggplant, cucumbers, citrus, pepper, strawberries, squash, and raspberries are some of the fruits and vegetables that belong in the high-humidity crisper.

How to properly use Crisper Drawer?

Besides storing the items as per the humidity levels, it is also important to organize the fruits and vegetables properly inside the crisper and use the recommended amount of space to keep everything inside fresh. It is best to keep the crisper almost full, up to two-thirds of its capacity, but it should not be stuffed or cramped. Keep the heavier items at the bottom and the delicate ones on the top to prevent them from damage due to weight. 

If your refrigerator has only one large crisper drawer, decide about the humidity level you want to maintain inside and adjust the settings accordingly. If you are keeping the crisper in a low-humidity setting, store the rest of the fruits and vegetables somewhere else in the refrigerator and vice versa. You can also use some produce keeper containers to organize the fruits and vegetables separately to prevent rummaging through the entire crisper for getting a certain item every time. Some of the produce keeper containers also have air vents adjustment features to help maintain an ideal environment for the item stored inside them. 

In case you are storing fresh fruits and vegetables on the refrigerator shelves, make sure to store them on separate and higher shelves to prevent the risk of cross-contamination between them. 

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