Refrigerator drawers not only give you more room to keep produce and meats nice and cool, but can also save perishable food from going bad. This freshness can really add up over time and end up saving you multiple trips to the store and money on your monthly grocery bill. Drawers in refrigerators work by separating delicate food, such a fruit, vegetables, meats and cheeses, from the other, less perishable food in your fridge.

If you decide to purchase a fridge with drawers, you’ll notice that there are usually two refrigerator drawers on the very bottom of the unit. These drawers are specifically designed for fruits and vegetables in mind. While heat does rise and the bottom refrigerator drawers will inevitably stay a little cooler than the rest of the unit, the drawers were actually designed to control humidity, rather than temperature. Without a little bit of moisture in the air, fruit and vegetables can dry out easily. That’s why you see the mini sprinklers at the grocery store running to keep the produce moist. The refrigerator drawers trap the moisture in the air and keep your vegetables tasting crisp and juicy for much longer than normal.

If your new fridge came with two drawers, then be sure to keep vegetables in one crisper and fruit in another. Fruits and vegetables release a natural chemical called ethylene. This chemical makes the fruit ripen, and a build up of it between different types of fruit and vegetables can cause your produce to prematurely over-ripen. Utilize both of the refrigerator drawers and your food will stay fresher, longer.

These drawers are also great for storing fresh herbs. Keep the ones you’ve recently picked out of your garden seasoning your food for as long as they can. By storing them in the bottom refrigerator drawers, the herbs will maintain their delicate flavors and aromas longer than if you left them out at room temperature.

Another great thing about having drawers in your refrigerator is that they keep fruit and vegetable, one of the few things you put in your fridge uncovered or not in a container, from any other bacteria or harmful buildup and spills that can happen on higher shelves. The added protection of the plastic drawer also keeps heat from getting in. Every time you open the refrigerator door, a little bit of heat seeps in. Over time, this can cause food to spoil quicker. But protecting your produce and meet from this heat, you won’t have to throw out rotten food, which wastes your hard earned money.

Most models of modern fridges also have meat keepers. These smaller refrigerator drawers are usually located about half way up the unit and are designed to keep lunchmeats and cheeses. These drawers are one of the coldest parts of your fridge. The drawer traps the cold air and keeps the dairy and meat products at the ideal temperature.

So, as you can see, there are many advantages of buying a fridge with specifically designed sliding drawers. Keep your food fresh, crisp, savory and your kitchen organized by making the most out of your refrigerator drawers.