Monday, January 4, 2010

FridgeSmart Venting Instructions

What if you bought your FridgeSmart Containers before the guide to their use was embedded into the side of the container, and you've misplaced the little guide that came with them?

Here are some solutions:

1. Purchase 1 new container that has the information on it so you have a guide in your fridge
2. Ask your consultant for the FridgeSmart Cling that sticks to your fridge
3. Make a note of the following guide

FridgeSmart
Fresh Just Got Smarter!

Refrigerate fruits and vegetables immediately in Tupperware FridgeSmart containers.

Dry Garlic, Mature Onions, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Winter Squash and unripe fruit are not recommended for refrigerator storage.

Fruits and vegetables are divided into 3 groups - High Breathers (leave both vents open), Medium Breathers (leave one vent open, one closed), and Low Breathers (keep both vents closed)

High (or Heavy!) Breathers include:
  • Artichokes
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Endive
  • Peas (including Snow Peas)
  • Spinach
  • Sweet Corn (dehusked)

Medium Breathers include:
Vegetables
  • Beans (including Snap Beans and String Beans)
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Fresh Herbs
  • Fresh Shallots
  • Green Onions
  • Greens (Collard, Kale and Swiss Chard)
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce, all types
Fruits
  • Ripe Apples
  • Citrus (including Grapefruit, Orange, Mandarin, Lemon, Tangerine and Lime)
  • Ripe Pears
  • Peppers (including Bell, Sweet, Hot and others)
Low Breathers include:
Vegetables
  • Asparagus
  • Beet Root
  • Button Mushrooms
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Okra
  • Radishes
  • Rutabaga
  • Summer Squash
  • Turnips
  • Zucchini
Fruits
  • Ripe Berries
  • All other ripe fruit not included in medium category
  • All fresh cut fruit
Although Tupperware works with the University of Florida and they have a lot figured out, here are some tips that you might find helpful:
  1. Try venting your mushrooms - I find they keep even longer
  2. Store cucumber at room temperature - you will find they do not go slimey. After a couple of weeks they may lose their colour, but they will not rot even once they are cut. (I picked up this tip from a customer who has a produce store)
  3. Vent your cheeses keeping 1 or both vents open
  4. Experiment with 1, 2 or no vents open - find out for yourself what works in your fridge
Here is a link to a pdf printable version you can keep by your fridge:

http://order.tupperware.com/ccm-pdf/fridgeSmartChart_combo.pdf

12 comments:

valentina said...

I had no idea that foods fell into categories of breathers!

That is also an interesting bit of info on cucumbers. I usually put them in the fridge (I am so easily influenced - cool as a cucumber is cooler yet in the fridge). But I do worry about produce that does not go bad when not in the fridge ...

best............valentina

Cheryll said...

Yes, we are used to putting everything in the fridge for longer storage, but think about this... have you ever seen cucumbers for sale in the refrigerated section of the produce store? I've always wondered why they were on a display sitting at room temperature, and now I know why!

Linda R said...

Here is the link to a PDF version of the vent guide for easy printing:

http://order.tupperware.com/ccm-pdf/fridgeSmartChart_combo.pdf

Michelle said...

Thanks soo much for this!!
Btw, since when is a pepper a fruit. Lol

Cheryll said...

You are very welcome Michelle. I hope you've been using your containers successfully since your comment. I'm sorry to have been so long in replying! Yes, it seems curious that peppers are classified as a fruit, but they are, just like tomatoes.

Here is the definition from dictionary.com -
the developed ovary of a seed plant with its contents and accessory parts, as the pea pod, nut, tomato, or pineapple.

Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

Unknown said...

I have the older blue fridgesmart with white lids. They have the oval white vent plugs. I haven't used them in a while and when I pulled them out, I noticed that all but 1 of the white oval pieces are gone. Is there a way to get replacements?

Unknown said...

I just like the helpful information you supply for your articles.

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breather plug | breather plugs | breather vent plug

S. Elliott, admin said...

Thanks for posting this! I have one of the older containers and needed the instructions badly!

Unknown said...

Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this information for my mission.

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breather | breathers | breather vent

wehrd1 said...

I have a fridgesmart container with the icons on the side. HOWEVER, i'm confused about which way to slide the venter. If the symbol is a O, do i put the slide TO the O or away from the O? (i'm referencing the O symbol, because i don't have anything on my keyboard to equate to the ones on that are other types of breathers. :)

Unknown said...

Does anyone know how to use the new fridge ones with a slide on the top? I have the med and large ones with green coverS? Thanks

Unknown said...

Can you place potatoes in fridge smart containers. I find no mention of wither reg potatoes or sweet potatoes