If you’re moving to a new home, the checklist of things to pack from your kitchen is long enough already. But even after you finish carefully placing the last limited-edition Flintstones glass from McDonald’s in the box, you might suddenly realize you overlooked one critical area — your freezer. Not everything in it needs to come with you, of course, but chances are there are at least a few things you’ve been saving that you want to bring to the new place. Moving with frozen food requires only a little forethought and planning.
TIPS FOR TRANSPORTING FROZEN FOOD WHEN MOVING
- Defrost the freezer before you move: If you are planning to put your freezer in storage, this will eliminate the risk of returning to a moldy mess.
- Give away as much as you can: Throwing away leftovers and uncooked perishables might be a quick and easy solution to the problem, but it’s also wasteful. Before you start packing, ask around and see if any of your friends or neighbors would like your frozen foods. This can significantly reduce the amount of food you need to bring with you.
- Eat up: This one is self-explanatory. You probably don’t have much time to cook right now anyway, so why not dig into what you have in your freezer? It’ll save you some time as you go about packing and lighten your load at the same time.
- Prepare a cooler: The best way to transport frozen food items is in a cooler because that’s what it’s designed to do. If you want to get the most out of it, you can prepare it ahead of time by stashing it in your freezer for at least 24 hours before moving day. Alternatively, you can pack it with dry ice and keep it in an air-conditioned room away from direct sunlight. This will ensure your frozen foods will stay cold for as long as possible.
- Use a thermometer: Putting a thermometer in your cooler will help prevent you from being stressed out during your move. You’ll be able to quickly see whether you need to put more ice into your cooler to keep it at the ideal temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Whatever you do, make sure the temperature inside never crosses 39 F because this is where food begins to spoil and bacteria starts to grow.
- Wrap food properly: Providing an extra layer of insulation helps keep your frozen food items from thawing out for longer. Aluminum foil works best, although paper towels moistened with cold water also works in a pinch. Make sure to wrap each item as tightly as possible to prevent air pockets that can accelerate thawing.
STAY FROSTY WITH MOVING PROZ
You don’t have to sacrifice everything in your freezer when you move. With the right approach and some know-how, you can keep items cold and fresh until you get to your new home and your new freezer. Hiring experienced professional movers to help you makes the process even easier, and Moving Proz has the best range of services to take the worry off your shoulders. To learn more about everything we can do for you, reach out to us today and request a quote.