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Early Retirement Extreme Forums » Lifestyle Questions

1. 

   boltzmannsbrain
   

   Novice
   Joined: Mar '12
   Posts: 25

   A lot of people, myself included, have forgotten how to properly store produce. Everything tends to get shoved into these supersized fridges we don't really need.
   Here's two useful links on the subject. Feel free to post links and tips about storage of food, kitchen hacks etc. in this thread.

   "Saving Food From The Fridge: It Will Taste Better, May Even Last Longer And Reduce Your Energy Bills": http://www.treehugger.com/kitchen-design/saving-food-fridge-it-will-taste-better-may-even-last-longer-and-reduce-your-energy-bills.html

   "How to Keep Fruits and Veggies Fresh" (a comprehensive list):
   http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1103

   (I'm also looking into sprouting, here's an old ERE thread on the subject: http://forum.earlyretirementextreme.com/topic.php?id=82#post-541 )

   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 

   JasonR
   

   Master
   Joined: Feb '11
   Posts: 334

   Really nice joinery on those shelves. Clever ideas too. Then they knocked the wind out of my sails:

   it should be remembered that these are artworks, not consumer products. Using similar methods when storing food in a basement or a specially designed root cellar - the traditional way - will give better results.

   I also recall something on this forum about keeping a fridge full, rather than half empty, to maximize it's efficiency...

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. 

   EMJ
   

   Journeyman
   Joined: Nov '10
   Posts: 171

   Eggs don't need refrigeration.
   Cut off the bottom inch of leafy greens when you bring them home and set in a glass of water to keep longer.

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. 

   riparian
   

   Master
   Joined: Oct '11
   Posts: 341

   If it's cold outside you can let most vegetables freeze. Then don't let them thaw - they'll turn to mush - of you cook them from frozen they're fine.

   Posted 1 year ago #
5. 

   Spartan_Warrior
   

   Master
   Joined: Dec '11
   Posts: 500

   This is interesting. I just read the sections in the book about getting by without a refrigerator. Along with hot water heater, my fridge must be the single biggest continuous electrical expense in my house. I've contemplated reducing this by going to a smaller size but--similar to buying a more energy efficient unit--it doesn't seem cost effective replacing something that's perfectly functional. Even replacing the fridge with a freezer seems questionable since the unit I have already has a freezer. Plus, I like milk...

   I have also heard that a fuller fridge takes less energy to keep cool. Makes sense since it basically makes the interior space smaller.

   Posted 1 year ago #
6. 

   mikeBOS
   

   Master
   Joined: Nov '10
   Posts: 554

   @spart_warrior

   Plus those mini-fridges tend to be less efficient than the larger ones just because they aren't built as well.

   I do recall reading somewhere about someone who lived off-grid, with solar, modifying an efficient chest freezer into a refrigerator and having a lot of success with it.

   It's also possible to do passive refrigeration if you live somewhere with cold winters by basically building a walk-in (or large) freezer and using passive methods to create a giant block of ice to last you through the summer. Googling 'passive' refrigeration will give you an idea on some of the methods.

   Posted 1 year ago #

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