1. How To Make Freezer Blocking Work For
You - Cardboard Freezer Boxes
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By Jasno Laro -http://alkalisci.com/2-cardboard-freezer-boxes.html
Freezer blocking is a method that can save you money with your household freezer.With the fall
weather upon us this is the time when people are starting to put away the excess bounty of their
garden. Vegetables that have not already been consumed need to be stored for use throughout the
winter months.
Learn More About Cardboard Freezer Boxes
Once you have bottled and/or packaged your vegetables they will have to be stored in a cold
environment that is below their freezing point and at a low humidity level. A cold environment slows
down the natural deterioration of vegetable matter that occurs. Most vegetables that are placed into a
cold environment will go into a type of dormant state.
Obviously a cold storage room is the most economical method. It uses the winter temperatures to keep
foods cold. Unfortunately its downside is that the temperature cannot be regulated. If the outside
temperature changes so does the temperature inside the cold storage room. Also few modern homes
have a cold storage room. It is considered unnecessary in today's fast paced society.
2. For those without the basement cold storage room an alternative is the household freezer. Many people
use a small chest freezer for this purpose. Chest freezers seem to be the answer for many gardeners. An
upright freezer will also work but they are not as efficient (or as cold) as the chest variety. Also the small
chest freezer is generally less expensive than an upright of the same size.
But if you invest in a freezer is it not economical to operate if only partially full. Freezer blocking is a
possible answer for this problem.Basically freezer blocking is filling up the unused space inside the
freezer. The theory is ... the less air inside the freezer the less electricity will be required to freeze the
food. Anything that lowers the internal volume of the freezer will cause the compressor to spend less
time keeping the interior cold. It would be equivalent to having a smaller freezer.
To do this cardboard boxes called "blockers" are placed inside the freezer. These boxes are filled with
insulation. Any form of insulation will work, but basic household wall insulation (fibreglass) is most
commonly used. It is both inexpensive and easily obtained. An alternative are the insulating peanuts
used for shipping and packaging. Others suggest filling the boxes with old newspapers. This would work
but the insulation value would be far less than the fibreglass method. Also the newspaper would pick up
moisture and become extremely heavy to lift.
Whatever is used the boxes should be completely filled, and then sealed and taped shut. You do not
want insulation mixing openly with food products. Also boxes of varied sizes work best because they
allow you to fill up the open spaces better.
3. If the freezer is only half full then place the boxes either at the bottom of the freezer or all to one side.
This way you have easier access to the food during the winter. Placing the boxes on top will be
frustrating because you will have to remove them every time you want to get to the food.
Another way of doing this would be to place blankets or sleeping bags inside the open areas of the
freezer. The insulation method is usually preferred though because it is much easier to move around
boxes than an old sleeping bag.
An alternative method is to add containers of water to the freezer...partially full containers - remember
water expands about 10% when frozen.
So… What’s Next ?
To learn more about cardboard freezer boxes, Click Here: http://alkalisci.com/2-cardboard-freezerboxes.html
