How to Organize Refrigerator Drawers

Understanding Your Refrigerator Drawers

Most refrigerators have two crisper drawers with adjustable humidity settings, and sometimes a deli or meat drawer. Using these drawers correctly — and organizing them well — significantly extends the life of your produce and keeps everything easy to find.

Humidity Settings: High vs. Low

• High humidity drawer: For vegetables and leafy greens that wilt easily — broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, herbs, cucumbers
• Low humidity drawer: For fruits that emit ethylene gas — apples, pears, grapes, berries, stone fruits
• Deli/meat drawer: Coldest drawer, for deli meats, cheese, and packaged meats

How to Organize the Vegetable Drawer

Use reusable mesh produce bags to keep different vegetables separated and organized within the drawer. The transparent mesh lets you see what's inside without opening each bag, and the breathable material is ideal for produce storage. Group by type: leafy greens together, root vegetables together, etc.

How to Organize the Fruit Drawer

Keep fruits in their original packaging or in airtight containers to contain ethylene gas and prevent it from affecting other produce. Berries do best in their original containers lined with a paper towel to absorb moisture.

Add Organizer Bins to Drawers

Stackable fridge organizer bins work beautifully inside larger drawers to create sections for different categories. Use smaller bins to separate herbs from vegetables, or to keep small items like cherry tomatoes and radishes contained.

Key Rules for Drawer Organization

• Never mix fruits and vegetables in the same drawer: Ethylene from fruits causes vegetables to deteriorate faster
• Don't overfill: Overcrowded drawers restrict airflow and cause uneven cooling
• Check regularly: Remove any deteriorating items before they affect the rest
• Store produce unwashed: Wash only when ready to use

Final Thoughts

Organizing refrigerator drawers correctly extends produce life and reduces food waste. Set humidity correctly for each drawer, use produce bags to separate vegetables, keep fruits in airtight containers, and use organizer bins to create sections.