How to properly store produce and eggs

boltzmannsbrain · Post by **boltzmannsbrain** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:09 am

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-desig ... bills.html
"How to Keep Fruits and Veggies Fresh" (a comprehensive list):

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nut ... sp?id=1103
(I'm also looking into sprouting, here's an old ERE thread on the subject: viewtopic.php?t=82#post-541 )

JasonR · Post by **JasonR** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:29 pm

EMJ · Post by **EMJ** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:21 am

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.

riparian · Post by **riparian** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:36 am

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.

Spartan_Warrior · Post by **Spartan_Warrior** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:44 pm

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.

mikeBOS · Post by **mikeBOS** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 4:59 am

@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.