Just as you are in the process of ticking items off your moving checklist and as the moving day is fast approaching, you begin to wonder how to transport the food and contents of your fridge and freezer. Did you forget that you’re moving out soon when you did your grocery shopping two days ago? Relax, it’s alright because we’ve summarized some valuable tips so you don’t have to waste anything – and we do mean anything!
Pack Only What Is Necessary
Get a pen and paper and list down what you have left in your fridge and freezer. Assess and evaluate them one by one by categorizing whether they are perishables, non-perishables, canned goods, glass bottles, boxed items, baking and cooking supplies.
Now from this list that you prepared, it will be quite easy for you to figure out what to do with each one of them so that you don’t get stuck along the way. Regardless of whether or not you’re planning on bringing them with you to your new home, here are some things that you can do with them.
Toss The Ones That Are Expired
When you have the final item list, do not forget to write down the expiration date next to each item. Make sure you know the difference between the date marks such as “best before” and “use by”. From there, you will know which ones are ready to be thrown away immediately. Watch out for dents in the can as it’s an absolute sign that it’s time to toss it. So, toss them away and don’t feel bad about it.
Share To Friends, Families, or Neighbours
It’s totally alright if you have any food items that you don’t plan to eat (you’re fed up, we get it), or much less bring with you. It can be donated to a local charity or shared with your friends, family, and neighbours. Now you’ve got a thoughtful way to say goodbye to your neighbours (that you like) in an instant.
Cook Your Frozen Food
Start cooking as much of your frozen food as possible and consume a few days before your move. By planning your menu around remaining frozen food and some left-over food items, you will save yourself the trouble of having to figure out what to do with them. Don’t replenish your fridge or freezer, eat out or order takeaway in case you run out.
Use Esky or Cooler to Store Frozen Food
It’s definitely not a good idea to simply bring food along when you hit the road. Use an esky to store your frozen food. Make sure you use ice blocks instead of ice cubes and use the right amount. Typically half a kilo of ice blocks per litre size of the esky is sufficient.
How to Pack Your Frozen Food in an Esky
Fill it up. Try not to leave too much empty space in the esky as that tends to speed up the melting process. If you really can’t fill it up, bring more ice-packs and store it in layers. The fuller the esky is, the longer it will maintain and hold its cold temperature.
Before you pack the frozen food, temperatures must be kept below 4˚C to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth. Pack the frozen meat and poultry with newspaper as an insulator and place them at the bottom of the esky. This is to prevent the meat juices from dripping on to the other items below.
Chances are, no matter how good the food packaging looks, you’ll end up with unwanted leaks or spills. Seal everything that may leak or spill in an airtight container or ziplock. Put your unused Tupperware to good use. Do not trust food packaging or else it’s a mess waiting to happen.
Pack Your Fridge or Freezer Last
Besides frozen food, you will also need to move your fridge or freezer. It’s best to read through the appliance manual and see if there are specific and important steps in safely moving your model of fridge or freezer.
If the move is just a short distance, we generally load the fridge or freezer up last, and that means it is unloaded first at the new house. Resulting in a shorter period of time in which the food may defrost and spoil.
Pack your fridge in an upright position at all times. Putting it on its side can damage the compressor which is filled with oil. The oil, in turn, can flow into the cooling lines which can clog them.
If The Seals On Your Freezer Are Still Good
If the seals on your freezer are still of good quality, then you can leave it full. Remember to remove any breakables or glass from the fridge, as it may still roll around and possibly damage or spill inside. Our removalists will be able to trolley the fridge with the door angled downwards, which will stop it from suddenly flying open.
If The Seals On Your Freezer Are Worn Down
If the seals on your freezer are worn down, they may still open even when trolleyed the correct way. We can make other arrangements and move your fridge or freezer the right way.
Protect Your Fridge
If you’re travelling a long distance, it may be best to empty and remove all the food inside the fridge. This is because when glass shelves, drawers, and side storage bins are loose, they may break during the move. Remove and pack them separately to prevent them from causing damage.
After emptying the fridge contents, allow at least a day in advance to turn it off so the fridge has time to defrost. Safely secure the electric cords and lines with tape. Don’t let the tape get in direct contact with the fridge so as to not leave a residue that may be hard to remove.
The good news is now you have the perfect opportunity to clean out your fridge thoroughly. Wipe off dirt and grime and spray disinfectant or multi-purpose spray to eliminate unpleasant odour caused by warm temperatures.
Safeguard your fridge from dents and scratches by wrapping it in two layers of blanket or bubble wrap. Cover the door handles with newspaper or packing paper as well.
Transporting Your Frozen Food Can Be Done
Although transporting frozen food seems like a complicated task, it can still be accomplished by following the given tips and guide. Better yet – leave all the worry with Complete Removals because we can provide all the right tools and quality packing materials that you need for your move.
Don’t forget though, that it is more likely that you will get hungry on the day of the move, so take this final piece of advice, set aside some food and prepare a few snacks for you and the family.
Got a Move Coming Up? Contact us today for help!
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