At a Glance:
What to Store in a Crisper Drawer
Ah, the crisper drawer. Or, as it’s more likely known in your home, the “anything that doesn’t fit anywhere else in the fridge” drawer. Those little drawers near the bottom of your refrigerator always seem to collect things like string cheese, yogurt cups, and granola bars (seriously? Who put those in the fridge?), but what are they actually for?
It turns out, these nifty compartments serve an important purpose when it comes to keeping your food fresh!
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Looking for your next refrigerator with superior humidity control? Discover options from top brands like GE, Cafe, and Sub-Zero at Slager Appliances today!
View RefrigeratorsWhat is a Crisper Drawer?
A crisper drawer is basically a sealed off area within a fridge set to lower or higher humidity than the rest of the unit. Some fridges come with multiple drawers with pre-set humidity levels, while others let you adjust drawers to any humidity level you need.
The adjustment mechanism is deceptively simple: when you set it to high humidity, a little vent in the back of the drawer closes, sealing the compartment shut. As you set the humidity lower, the vent opens, letting out some of the moisture trapped inside. Easy! But what can be slightly more complicated is figuring out which foods go where.
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What to Store in a Crisper Drawer
Even though you can keep all kinds of things in your crisper drawer, you’ll see the best results with fresh produce. If you always seem to be throwing money at grocery stores and farmer’s markets, only to find your beautiful organic veggies wilted beyond reason just days later, a crisper drawer might be able to save your wallet and your dinner plans.
But before you start tossing everything leafy into the crisper, keep in mind that different produce has different needs. Some will need lower humidity and others need higher humidity, and you can do some serious damage to your food by putting in the wrong drawer.
Low Humidity
A common rule of thumb for determining what should go in each drawer goes like this: “rot, low; wilt, high.” That means foods that rot as they go bad should be kept in the low humidity drawer. Fruits and other produce that don’t lose moisture easily should be top candidates for this drawer.
These types of produce emit gases as they age, but the open vent in the back lets those gases out of the drawer, so the fruit stays fresher for longer. Here are a few things to try storing in a low humidity drawer:
- Avocados
- Peaches
- Apples
- Pears
- Grapes
High Humidity
Leafy greens and other foods that wilt as they get older should be kept in high humidity conditions. These foods won’t release much gas while they’re being stored, but they’ll lose moisture like crazy. Keeping these veggies in the crisper drawer set to high humidity should help keep them fresh and…well, crisp!
- Lettuce
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Strawberries
Now quick, get to the fridge! Rearrange your drawers with all this in mind and notice how much longer your food lasts. Another pro tip: crisper drawers tend to work best when they’re nearly full. So, go crazy next time you’re feeling the need to freshen up your diet! The more fruits and veggies you can pack in, the better—as long as you remember to eat them all!
If you’re still struggling to keep food fresh, the problem might be your fridge. Come on down to Slager Appliances to check out our selection of new fridges, and ask us about anything and everything appliance!
3 Refrigerators with Crispers
Humidity-controlled drawers, or crispers, are found in most refrigerators. However, we still wanted to compile our top three refrigerators with crisper drawers in case you're looking for guidance on where to find them!
GE® Series 28.7 Cu. Ft. Slate French-Door Refrigerator
Shop this GE® Series 28.7 Cu. Ft. Slate French-Door Refrigerator
The GE® Series 28.7 Cu. Ft. Slate French-Door Refrigerator features two spacious humidity-controlled. With its ample capacity, it provides an ideal environment for storing fruits and vegetables, helping to keep them fresh for longer periods. The crispers are equipped with adjustable humidity controls, allowing you to customize the moisture level based on the specific produce you're storing. Additionally, the crispers are designed with smooth-glide technology, making it easy to access your items and ensuring a seamless user experience.
GE® 19.2 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Top Freezer Refrigerator
Shop the GE® 19.2 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Top Freezer Refrigerator
The GE® 19.2 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Top Freezer Refrigerator comes with two clear crisper drawers that offer ample space for storing your fruits and vegetables. Its transparent design allows you to easily see the contents inside without having to open the drawer. The smooth-glide feature ensures effortless access to your items, while the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish adds a sleek and modern touch to your kitchen.
Learn more: Top 3 GE Fridges of the Year
Café™ 21.9 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth Side by Side Refrigerator
Shop the Café™ 21.9 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth Side by Side Refrigerator
The Café™ 21.9 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth Side by Side Refrigerator boasts a spacious and well-designed crisper drawer. The crisper offers ample storage space for your fruits and vegetables, ensuring they stay fresh for longer periods. It features adjustable humidity controls, allowing you to customize the humidity levels based on the specific needs of your produce. Café™ appliances are also customizable, allowing you to create a stunning look in your kitchen.
FAQ
Which drawer is the crisper drawer?
The crisper drawer is typically located in the lower part of a refrigerator, designed specifically for storing fruits and vegetables. It is often labeled or marked as the crisper or humidity-controlled drawer.
What is the difference between a crisper and a fresh drawer?
The terms "crisper" and "fresh drawer" are often used interchangeably and refer to the same type of drawer in a refrigerator. Both drawers are designed to maintain optimal humidity levels and temperature for storing produce, helping to keep them fresh for a longer time.
Should crisper drawer be open or closed?
The general rule of thumb is to keep the crisper drawer closed when not accessing it. Closing the drawer helps to maintain the desired humidity and temperature levels, ensuring the produce stays fresh.
Do crisper drawer liners work?
Crisper drawer liners are available in the market and claim to help absorb moisture and prolong the freshness of produce. While some users find them helpful in preventing the buildup of excess moisture, their effectiveness may vary depending on the specific liner used and the conditions within the refrigerator.
Why Trust Slager Appliances?
Founded over 70 years ago, Slager Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Iowa City, IA. Slager has competitive prices and industry knowledge in delivering and installing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
Whether you need to replace an old appliance, or if you’re remodeling and need an entire kitchen full of new brand-name products we are with you all the way. We will work with you to find a product that fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Shop Refrigerators at Slager Appliances
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop refrigerators online at Slager Appliances. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find a refrigerator with the best crisper — whether you call us at 319-337-3833, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Slager Appliances in Iowa City, IA. Visit us today!
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