The bottom drawer of a fridge, also known as the crisper drawer, is designed to store fruits and vegetables that need a higher humidity level than the rest of the fridge. The crisper drawer has a slider or a dial that allows you to adjust the amount of moisture that enters and exits the drawer. This helps to keep your produce fresh and crisp for longer.
But not all fruits and vegetables belong in the crisper drawer. Some produce items, such as apples, bananas, avocados, and tomatoes, emit a gas called ethylene, which can speed up the ripening and spoilage of other fruits and vegetables. These ethylene-producing items should be stored separately from ethylene-sensitive items, such as leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, and cucumbers, which can wilt or rot faster when exposed to ethylene.
In this article, we will explain how to use the crisper drawer effectively, what fruits and vegetables to store in it, and what to avoid. We will also share some tips on how to organize your fridge for optimal freshness and food safety.
The crisper drawer is not a magic box that can preserve any produce indefinitely. You still need to follow some basic rules to make the most of it. Here are some tips on how to use the crisper drawer effectively:
Check the settings. Most fridges have two crisper drawers, one for high-humidity and one for low-humidity. The high-humidity drawer is ideal for leafy greens, herbs, and other delicate produce that need more moisture to stay fresh. The low-humidity drawer is ideal for fruits and vegetables that need less moisture and more air circulation, such as apples, pears, and peppers. Some fridges have a single crisper drawer with a slider or a dial that lets you adjust the humidity level. In that case, you need to decide which type of produce you want to store in the drawer and set the humidity accordingly.
Wash and dry your produce before storing. Washing your produce before storing can help to remove dirt, bacteria, and pesticides that can cause spoilage. However, you also need to make sure that your produce is completely dry before putting it in the crisper drawer. Excess moisture can create a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, and reduce the shelf life of your produce. You can use a salad spinner, a paper towel, or a clean cloth to dry your produce thoroughly.
Store your produce in breathable containers or bags. Storing your produce in airtight containers or plastic bags can trap moisture and ethylene gas, and cause your produce to rot faster. Instead, use breathable containers or bags that allow some air to flow in and out of the crisper drawer. You can use mesh bags, perforated bags, or reusable produce bags that are made of natural fibers, such as cotton or linen. You can also loosely wrap your produce in a damp paper towel or a cloth to keep it moist but not wet.
Don’t overfill the crisper drawer. Overfilling the crisper drawer can reduce the air circulation and the effectiveness of the humidity control. It can also cause bruising and damage to your produce, which can lead to faster spoilage. Leave some space between your produce items and the walls of the drawer, and don’t stack them too high. You can also use dividers or baskets to separate different types of produce and prevent them from touching each other.
Rotate and check your produce regularly. Even with the best storage practices, some produce items will inevitably go bad faster than others. To prevent waste and contamination, you should rotate and check your produce regularly, and remove any spoiled or rotten items as soon as possible. You should also consume your produce within a reasonable time frame, and follow the first-in, first-out rule. This means that you should use the produce that you bought first before using the ones that you bought later.
What Fruits and Vegetables to Store in the Crisper Drawer
The crisper drawer is ideal for storing fruits and vegetables that need a higher humidity level than the rest of the fridge, and that are not sensitive to ethylene gas. Here are some examples of fruits and vegetables that you can store in the crisper drawer:
Leafy greens. Leafy greens, such as lettuce, spinach, kale, and arugula, need a high-humidity environment to stay crisp and fresh. You can store them in the high-humidity drawer, or in the single crisper drawer with the humidity set to high. You can also wrap them in a damp paper towel or a cloth to prevent them from wilting.
Herbs. Herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, basil, and mint, also need a high-humidity environment to stay fresh and flavorful. You can store them in the high-humidity drawer, or in the single crisper drawer with the humidity set to high. You can also trim the stems and place them in a glass of water, and cover the leaves with a plastic bag.
Root vegetables. Root vegetables, such as carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes, need a low-humidity environment to prevent them from becoming soft and mushy. You can store them in the low-humidity drawer, or in the single crisper drawer with the humidity set to low. You can also remove the greens and store them separately, as they can draw moisture and nutrients from the roots.
Cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, need a low-humidity environment to prevent them from becoming yellow and bitter. You can store them in the low-humidity drawer, or in the single crisper drawer with the humidity set to low. You can also store them in breathable containers or bags to allow some air circulation.
Citrus fruits. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, need a low-humidity environment to prevent them from becoming moldy and soft. You can store them in the low-humidity drawer, or in the single crisper drawer with the humidity set to low. You can also store them in breathable containers or bags to allow some air circulation.
What Fruits and Vegetables to Avoid Storing in the Crisper Drawer
The crisper drawer is not suitable for storing fruits and vegetables that need a lower humidity level than the rest of the fridge, or that are sensitive to ethylene gas. Here are some examples of fruits and vegetables that you should avoid storing in the crisper drawer:
Ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables. Ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables, such as apples, bananas, avocados, tomatoes, peaches, pears, and melons, emit a gas that can speed up the ripening and spoilage of other fruits and vegetables. You should store them separately from ethylene-sensitive fruits and vegetables, and preferably outside the fridge, unless they are very ripe or cut. You can also use ethylene-absorbing products, such as activated charcoal, baking soda, or commercial ethylene absorbers, to reduce the amount of ethylene gas in your fridge.
Tropical fruits. Tropical fruits, such as pineapples, mangoes, papayas, and kiwis, are native to warm and humid climates, and do not tolerate cold temperatures well. Storing them in the fridge can cause them to lose their flavor, texture, and color. You should store them at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, and only refrigerate them when they are very ripe or cut.
Potatoes. Potatoes are starchy tubers that need a cool, dark, and dry place to prevent them from sprouting and turning green. Storing them in the fridge can cause the starch to turn into sugar, which can affect their taste and texture. You should store them in a paper bag, a cardboard box, or a mesh basket, in a pantry, a cupboard, or a basement. You should also avoid storing them near onions, garlic, or apples, as they can emit gases that can cause potatoes to spoil faster.
Onions and garlic. Onions and garlic are bulbs that need a cool, dark, and dry place to prevent them from sprouting and rotting. Storing them in the fridge can cause them to become soft and moldy, and to impart their strong odor to other foods. You should store them in a paper bag, a cardboard box, or a mesh basket, in a pantry, a cupboard, or a basement. You should also avoid storing them near potatoes, as they can emit gases that can cause potatoes to spoil faster.
Bread. Bread is a baked good that needs a dry and airy place to prevent it from becoming stale and moldy. Storing it in the fridge can cause it to lose its moisture and flavor, and to become tough and dry. You should store it in a paper bag, a bread box, or a wooden cutting board, on the counter, or in a cupboard. You can also slice it and freeze it for longer storage, and toast it before eating.
The bottom drawer of a fridge, also known as the crisper drawer, is designed to store fruits and vegetables that need a higher humidity level than the rest of the fridge. The crisper drawer has a slider or a dial that allows you to adjust the amount of moisture that enters and exits the drawer. This helps to keep your produce fresh and crisp for longer.
