topic Re: Refrigerator help, please in Kitchen

Refrigerator help, please

feline groovy — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 00:33:55 GMT

My new apartment's fridge has two opaque crisper drawers, but no indication

anywhere of which produce to store in each drawer.

You know, fruits and veggies, or even low humidity and high humidity.

I also don't see a model number noted inside the fridge or the freezer.

Will putting certain produce items together in each drawer help preserve their freshness?

Thanks for your assistance. 8-)

Re: Refrigerator help, please

butterfly123 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 00:45:05 GMT

@feline groovy

Hello friend,

A couple of questions

1. Are both drawers at the bottom of the refrigerator?

2. Do the drawers have a slider to adjust humidity?

Re: Refrigerator help, please

sweetee2 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 00:51:35 GMT

I would put fruit in one side and vegetables in the other.

Re: Refrigerator help, please

feline groovy — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 00:57:32 GMT

Hey, @butterfly123 friend.

1) yes, both are at the bottom

2) yep, one above each that goes from low to high

Re: Refrigerator help, please

ValuSkr — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 00:58:44 GMT

With no humidity settings, I think you're sunk. I'd do as you said - put like items in each drawer, as if there were humidity settings. Here's a list of what goes in each:

http://www.thekitchn.com/what-to-store-in-your-refrigerator-humidity-drawers-tips-from-the-kitchn-178094

Re: Refrigerator help, please

butterfly123 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 01:15:51 GMT

@feline groovy

The illustration that @ValuSkr posted a link to is a great tool.

However, I disagree with bananas or plantains being put in the refrigerator at all.

Others that should not be refrigerated are:

tomatoes

potatoes

red, yellow or white onions

sweet potatoes

squash

avacadoes (unless they are fully ripened)

Re: Refrigerator help, please

butterfly123 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 01:30:18 GMT

@feline groovy

The drawers are only a part of how to keep fruits and veggies fresh for as long as possible.

Would you like suggestions on how to prolong the freshness for a longer amount of time?

Forgot to add, that your drawers do have humidity settings.

Re: Refrigerator help, please

IamMrsG — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 01:30:23 GMT

@feline groovy Wrapping celery in aluminium foil will keep it crisp for a long time.

Re: Refrigerator help, please

feline groovy — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:18:16 GMT

Sure... if you got some, @butterfly123.

Appreciate you asking. 8)

I did recently read that lining the drawers with a paper towel helps.

You would think that this is my first refrigerator as an adult, but not only have I been fortunate to have rented apartments over the decades, I actually owned a home at one time LOL.

Just puzzled as to why nothing was noted; even the sliders don't mention humidity.

No biggie, though.

Re: Refrigerator help, please

feline groovy — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:02:55 GMT

Thanks for your advice and tips, @sweetee2, @ValuSkr, & @IamMrsG.

Re: Refrigerator help, please

butterfly123 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:15:06 GMT

@feline groovy

@IamMrsG had a great tip about wrapping celery in aluminum foil.

I can go through all fruits and vegetables or we can narrow it down to what you purchase and like to eat?

Re: Refrigerator help, please

feline groovy — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:28:33 GMT

You ROCK, @butterfly123.

Neither is actually necessary, but thanks very much. 8)

If you (and/or other posters) just happen to remember anything that works, that'll be great.

Although I will tell ya that I enjoy almost all fruits and that I'm a salad lover. ;-)

Re: Refrigerator help, please

butterfly123 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:38:02 GMT

Washing your produce right before you use it is best.

Almost any produce that is in a plastic container should have a dry paper towel put directly in the container. When the paper towel becomes slightly damp, it needs replaced in the container.

Keep the slightly damp paper towels and use them for spills, etc.

All lettuce varieties (whether pre-chopped or purchased as a head of lettuce) needs a paper towel also. If purchasing heads of lettuce, do not chop with a steel blade as this will cause the lettuce to turn brown. Instead use a non steel blade or simply tear the lettuce with your hands.

If you pre-cut vegetables, place them in an airtight container with a paper towel.

When purchasing bananas, try to buy them in different stages of ripeness. If possible ask the produce department if they have some on the greener side. Don't separate the bananas individually, this will keep them fresh longer.

Zuchinni, yellow squash and cucumbers need to kept as dry on the outside as possible to prevent bruising and soft spots.

@feline groovy What else do you like to buy in produce I have missed?

Re: Refrigerator help, please

feline groovy — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:48:46 GMT

Wow, @butterfly123!

You got skillz...

Um, can I please let you know?

My brain is a bit extra tired from the day, today.

Will go through your and my lists then post my reply, if that's OK.

Of course, like with many people, what I like in produce (or anything else) isn't

always what I can afford LOL.

Re: Refrigerator help, please

homedecor1 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:52:46 GMT

I bought the best thing ever at Bed Bath and Beyond. They are fruit liners for the bins they have some type of ethylene gas absorber.

And bought these little blue blue apples with packets (like those silica packs) - you can buy extra packets.

I never have rotten fruit anymore! Don't know why but it's working!

Re: Refrigerator help, please

butterfly123 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:53:56 GMT

@feline groovy,

Yes of course you can let me know.

I understand about produce being pricey.

The bright side is that apples are freshly harvested and can be stored in the refrigerator for a good amount of time.

Always a pleasure to chat with you. I do hope you and your furry one are well.

Talk to you soon.

Re: Refrigerator help, please

feline groovy — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 22:49:52 GMT

@butterfly123 wrote:
@feline groovy,
Yes of course you can let me know.
I understand about produce being pricey.
The bright side is that apples are freshly harvested and can be stored in the refrigerator for a good amount of time.
Always a pleasure to chat with you. I do hope you and your furry one are well.
Talk to you soon.

Always nice to chat with you as well, @butterfly123. 8)

Thanks for your good vibes, and I hope you're in good health and happy.

BTW, I haven't been a pet parent for the last three & a half years, but was blessed to have had 18 years together with my most-recent kitty.

Don't know when (or if) I'll be able to afford another cat companion, but hoping that it will happen.

Yep, apples thankfully last a long time.

Posting my other reply shortly...

Re: Refrigerator help, please

feline groovy — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 23:18:50 GMT

@butterfly123 wrote:
Washing your produce right before you use it is best.

Almost any produce that is in a plastic container should have a dry paper towel put directly in the container. When the paper towel becomes slightly damp, it needs replaced in the container.

Keep the slightly damp paper towels and use them for spills, etc.

All lettuce varieties (whether pre-chopped or purchased as a head of lettuce) needs a paper towel also. If purchasing heads of lettuce, do not chop with a steel blade as this will cause the lettuce to turn brown. Instead use a non steel blade or simply tear the lettuce with your hands.

If you pre-cut vegetables, place them in an airtight container with a paper towel.

When purchasing bananas, try to buy them in different stages of ripeness. If possible ask the produce department if they have some on the greener side. Don't separate the bananas individually, this will keep them fresh longer.

Zuchinni, yellow squash and cucumbers need to kept as dry on the outside as possible to prevent bruising and soft spots.

@feline groovy What else do you like to buy in produce I have missed?

@butterfly123: when I can, these or varieties of:

Carrots, tomatoes avocados, sugar snap peas, green beans, corn, red/orange peppers, onions (& garlic), eggplant, and potatoes.

Apples, clementines, watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches/plums/nectarines, kiwifruit, berries, pears, mangoes, and pomegranates .

Think that's pretty much it.

I know that garlic, onions, and potatoes should be stored outside of the fridge in a cool, dry place.

Re: Refrigerator help, please

butterfly123 — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 01:09:41 GMT

@feline groovy

I promise I will get back to you soon.

Re: Refrigerator help, please

feline groovy — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 01:25:51 GMT

No rush, @butterfly123 - whenever it's convenient is cool.

Thank you again. 8)