Why Your Refrigerator Has A Crisper Drawer—And What Belongs In It

If you've ever opened your fridge and wondered what the crisper drawer actually does, you're not alone. While it may just seem like a convenient drawer to store your produce, it has a unique function that can help keep your produce fresh for longer .

Here's what the crisper drawer actually does, and how to best utilize it to make the most out of this handy feature.

How Crisper Drawers Work

Crisper drawers are designed to control humidity, creating a different environment than the rest of your refrigerator . While the rest of the fridge typically circulates cold, dry air, these drawers are built around the needs of the items that should be stored inside—trapping or releasing moisture depending on the setting. This matters because different types of produce benefit from different moisture levels. Some items wilt quickly without moisture, while others spoil with too much moisture or natural ripening gases.

High Vs. Low Humidity: What's The Difference?

You may notice setting options for your crisper drawer, including a low and high-humidity option. High-humidity settings trap moisture in the drawer by keeping vents closed, keeping certain types of fruits and vegetables from drying out or becoming limp.

Low-humidity settings open the vents—allowing natural ripening gases like ethylene and moisture to escape. Ethylene is naturally released by certain fruits as they ripen, and if it builds up, it can cause nearby produce to overripen or spoil faster. If you have two crisper drawers, using one for high humidity storage and one for low humidity storage is ideal.

The Best Foods To Store In The Crisper Drawer

Not everything needs to go in the crisper, but many foods benefit from it—especially fresh produce. Here are certain items to store, and which drawer they're best placed in:

• High-humidity drawers:Best for leafy greens, herbs , and veggies—like broccoli, carrots, and cucumbers—that dry out quickly.

• Low-humidity drawers:Better for ethylene-producing fruits like apples, pears, grapes, stone fruits, and ripe avocados. This drawer will keep them from becoming overripe too quickly.

Common Mistakes When Using A Crisper Drawer

Even if you're using your crisper drawer regularly, some common habits can make it less effective:

• Overcrowding:Packing drawers too tightly can keep air from circulating properly, causing uneven cooling and faster spoilage.

• The wrong setting:Keeping both drawers on the same humidity level defeats their purpose.

• Washing before storing:Excess moisture can encourage mold growth—especially in high-humidity conditions.

• Mixing veggies and fruits:Ethylene-producing fruits can cause nearby vegetables to spoil more quickly.

Other Top Refrigeration Tips

Beyond using your crisper drawers to their fullest potential, here are some additional tips to keep everything in your refrigerator lasting longer:

• Keep the temperature consistent:Refrigerators should be set between 35°F and 40°F to slow spoilage.

• Store strategically:Keep dairy and eggs toward the back of the fridge, where temperatures are more stable, produce in the crisper drawers, and only more stable condiments in the doors.

• Avoid overcrowding:Good airflow is essential for consistent cooling.

• Use airtight containers:This helps maintain freshness and keeps fridge odors from spreading around.

Crisper drawers might seem like just an extra feature in your fridge, but they can make a big difference in how long your produce lasts. By adjusting humidity setting and storing foods strategically, you can reduce waste and keep your fruits and vegetables fresher, longer.

Read the original article on Southern Living