Why don’t our refrigerator crisper drawers feel the love? They serve a great purpose but often overlooked for their resourcefulness. We take them for granted at every turn by throwing a bunch of mismatched food items in them without knowing the real reason they were designed.
If they could talk, they’d probably tell us to “stop” before throwing that bag of raw potatoes in the crisper drawer — more on that later.
What’s their history?
The first known use of the word “crisper” in relation to a crisper drawer was in 1835, so they’ve been around a long time. Wikipedia defines “crisper drawers,” as being designed to prolong the freshness of stored produce.
They have a different level of humidity from the rest of the refrigerator, optimizing freshness in fruits and vegetables. Refrigerators don’t create humidity; they harness it.
These bins are workhorses for keeping in freshness. But remember, different types of produce require different needs. Most fruits and veggies can call a crisper home, but some don’t like the humidity! Using your crisper drawers correctly can extend the life of your fruits and vegetables.
How do they work?
In a 2020 article on marthastewart.com experts weighed in on the proper use of crisper drawers. Mary Kay Bolger, senior product development manager at Whirlpool, discussed the mystery behind crisper drawers by consumers on how they work or how they should be set.
- Most crispers drawers have adjustable settings between high and low through a sliding humidity control setting that opens or closes a small vent in the drawers.
- If your drawers don’t have any controls, they are simply high-humidity crispers. If you have two crisper drawers, it’s best to separate them into high and low humidity so you can store all kinds of produce.
- The high-humidity drawer should contain thin-skinned or leafy vegetables that are prone to wilting or losing moisture quickly, like asparagus, fresh herbs, and greens.
- The low-humidity drawer can house a variety of fruits, from apples, pears, stone fruit, and melons.
What’s best for high-humidity crispers?
Time to come clean on some of the produce that should go high:
Bananas (unripe), Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Strawberries, Watermelon, Eggplant, Herbs, and Leafy Greens
What’s best to keep fresh in low-humidity crispers?
Time to get the lowdown on some of the produce that doesn’t need as much humidity:
Apples, Avocados, Bananas (ripe), Cantaloupes, Kiwis, Melons, Pears.
*Crisper drawers work best if they are at least two-thirds full.
How to keep it real to feel the crisper love?
Not all things are destined for the crisper because you have a bin to put them in. We’ve all been guilty of putting those bags of raw potatoes in there, but frigid temps alter the starchy complex carbs found in potatoes, giving them a sweet taste and a gritty mouthfeel according to bobvila.com.
For best flavor and texture store potatoes in a well-ventilated basket or drawer, out of direct sunlight. Some items that also don’t need a crisper home are coffee, honey, tomatoes, onions, and bread.
Remember, crispers drawers hold a special place in your refrigerator for keeping important food items at their freshest. Take the time to discover these handy storage bins and show them some love!