Should I Keep My Refrigerator Humidity on High or Low?
The level of humidity in your refrigerator depends entirely on what you are keeping in the unit. Some foods require high levels of moisture to remain fresh, while other foods may be prematurely spoiled by excess humidity. For this reason, the humidity levels are usually adjustable in the crisper drawers of most units, where moisture-sensitive foods are expected to be stored. Does this Spark an idea?
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Non-produce Items
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Things such as milk, eggs, cheese, condiments and even leftovers that have been cooked and sealed in airtight containers do not need humidity to remain fresh. Instead, these items rely on the temperature of the unit. Dairy and meat needs the coldest part of the refrigerator, which is typically at the back of the shelves and inside the meat drawer, while eggs and butter only require moderate spots such as the front of the shelves. The warm spots that are typical of the door shelves are good for condiments.
Produce and Humidity
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Produce requires humidity to remain at peak freshness for the maximum amount of time. Different types of produce require different levels of moisture. For instance, onions and garlic prefer a dry atmosphere, while leafy greens such as lettuce, root vegetables such as turnips and carrots and squash and peppers like very humid conditions.
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Ethylene
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Many kinds of produce emit ethylene gas as they ripen. Fruits such as apples, peaches and tomatoes are especially prone to these emissions. When other produce, including potatoes, green beans or lettuce, is stored with ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables, the result is a rapid deterioration of the potatoes, green beans and lettuce, as well as any other ethylene-sensitive produce. For this reason, refrigerators are usually outfitted with dual crispers, allowing you to separate your produce.
Setting Your Crisper
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The crisper drawers often come with a slider adjustment on them, with one side indicating more humidity and one side indicating less. Knowing that your lettuce and root vegetables need more, you can choose one drawer and set it to the higher side for these items. This closes the vent on the drawer so that moist air cannot escape. The other drawer may be used for less humidity, set so the vent is open, allowing moist air to escape. Some produce should not be placed in the fridge at all. These items include but are not limited to mangoes, bananas, tomatoes and cucumbers.
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