food storage temperature

[Ross]

I have two refrigerators in my house one in the kitchen and one that is in the basement. The one in the kitchen is our "working" refrigerator and kept at about 38 degrees F and we get something from it several times each day. The one in the downstairs is for longer term storage and excess that I don't want to freeze. That one I keep at about 33 degrees F. I have found that food has exceptional keeping times in the very cold refrigerator. I have kept a fresh turkey in there for several weeks as I cut chunks of meat off for meals. At present I have a gallon of milk in there that has a sell by date of September 5 and it is still as fresh as I like.
Fresh fruit doesn't do well this cold and seems to freeze in spots and ruin but meat and milk keep very well. I think that for food storage on a boat this would be a worthy target for the temperature inside a refrigerator on a boat.

 

[Benny]

I'm very concerned about refigerator temperature in the boat as when underway we cycle the power on and off to conserve battery power. Sometime ago I aquired one of those indoor outdoor thermometers with an external sensor and by placing the sensor inside the refrigerator I can monitor temperature. I try to maintain a range of 34 to 38 degrees F.

 

[Ross]

Anything below 40 is good but colder is better. This is why they put meat keepers in one place and veggie drawers in another place.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I've discovered Freshsaver vacuum bags for fresh food

They're the fresh foods version of the Foodsaver system for frozen foods. I love both systems...and I'm amazed at how long fresh produce lasts in the Freshsaver vacuum bags. I've left fresh strawberries in one for more than two weeks, with -0- deterioration...fresh asparagus for up a month...scallions, fresh herbs, all kinds of fruits and veggies...in the fridge, of course...you do have to keep things cold. Based on how long fresh produce lasts in my fridge at home, I'd think you could bag enough to last for at least a 2 week cruise.

 

[Tim R.]

We have a freezer/refridgerator on the boat that stays on 24hrs. The freezer was set at 8° with spillover into the fridge. Everything stays nice and cold but our lettuce which has a fairly high water content always freezes so I would assume the fridge temp is below 32°. We have been slowly adjusting the freezer temp up to see what is a good balance. Last night we set it at 12° to see how this works. Of course keeping the ice cream frozen takes precedence over the rabbit food!

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Peggy, thanks for the suggestion, I will look into those bags!

 

[Ross]

Tim , There may be a means of adjusting the air flow between the freezer and the fridge allowing you to keep the freezer colder without freezing everythiing in the fridge.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Walmart has 'em Jon...

Buy the rechargeable one for about $20, not the larger AC version. I tried the AC version, took it back 'cuz the retractable air hose on two of 'em didn't like to retract. The bags are a bit expensive, but can be washed out and re-used.

 

[Ross]

Re: Walmart has 'em Jon...

Some things that I have learned about fresh veggie keeping. Celery keeps best with the root base intact, carrots last longer if they are kept whole, cabbage will keep for several weeks even after cutting. Just cut the discolored part away. leaf lettuce keeps better than bib lettuce.

 

[Tim R.]

Tim , There may be a means of adjusting the air flow between the freezer and the fridge allowing you to keep the freezer colder without freezing everythiing in the fridge.

I agree Ross. There is a 1/4" gap for spillover at the top that I have blocked most of. I may need a little more insulation between the boxes. At least I don't worry about leaving the lid open too long.

 

[Chilidog]

less than 40 seems a bit too cold for the beer.

 

[Ross]

less than 40 seems a bit too cold for the beer.

Just hold it in your hand while you thank the sea gods for a cold beer and it will warm up.