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How to pack perishable items

Many online packing guidelines recommend not taking perishables with you, but simply eating or throwing them away. However, if you have a refrigerator full of unopened, expensive food; freezer with hundreds of dollars of frozen food; and a large basement with frozen steaks, chicken and fish; you may not have time to eat all or the courage to throw it all in the trash. Fortunately, you do not have to waste all your last days in your overeating. In fact, there are several ways to safely pack perishable items for your move. You can take reliable packing services, or you can do it yourself.
Raw chicken
There is something you should do before you pack perishable items

Throw what you can

Although it is certainly doable to pack perishable items on the move, you will not have unlimited space for this. Decide what you really want to take - frozen meat and fish, deli meats and cheese, recently opened seasonings, fresh produce, etc. You should use or discard everything that is almost empty or is already approaching the expiration date before you move. Almost empty containers with oil or bottles of ketchup, leftovers and open boxes of milk or juice are probably not worth packing. Especially since you will use them in several days at your new place. Only undisclosed, expensive or fresh food is really worth the time spent.

Send it

You may pay such companies as UPS and FedEx for shipping perishable products, but they are not responsible for damaged products. Pack your belongings in an airtight container or plastic bag to keep it fresh before shipping. Then place the containers in a large foam box with thicker insulated walls to maintain the temperature. Place refrigerants, such as gel coolants or dry ice inside the box, to keep foods cool. Remember to keep dry ice out of any airtight containers, because it may burst or cause an explosion. Then place the foam boxes in large moving boxes Texas, with bubble wrap or wrapping paper, to fill in any empty space and keep food still. Seal the box with moisture-proof packing tape and label it “perishable” and “store in the refrigerator”. If your package contains dry ice, you will have to specify this. It is best to pay for quick or next-day delivery so that your goods are delivered quickly and are not damaged.

Take a cooler

If your move is shorter and more local, you can transport food yourself in your own vehicle. Ensure that anything that leaks or spills is in an airtight container or plastic bag. Place items with ice bags or ice packs in the fridge. First, insert the cooling products and place the frozen products on top - they will help keep the cold longer. Pack as many items as possible into the cooler. The steeper it is, the longer it will keep the temperature. Place the cooler inside the car last, so that it is easy to reach, and the first thing you bring to your new home.
Grilled salmon
So you can unpack your food as soon as possible

What should you use to pack perishable items – dried ice or gel packages?

Your decision to use bags with dry ice or gel depends on whether you need to store the goods in a cold or frozen state. You can send dairy products or fruits that need to be refrigerated, or send meat or fish that should be frozen. Packages of dry ice and gel have different qualities and shipping requirements that you should be aware of before you pack perishable items.

Dry ice

If you are wondering how to deliver frozen foods, do not worry - this is easy. Just use dry ice. You can purchase dry ice at your local grocery store or butcher’s store for as little as 1-3 dollars. Dry ice comes in the form of snow, pellets, and blocks. All of this is effective for maintaining the freezing temperature. For large batches, you will need to use more dry ice than for smaller ones. Pay attention to the current season, the weight of the product and its purpose when you are trying to determine how much dry ice to use. In general, you should use about 5-10 pounds of dry ice for every 24 hours that will pass during your move to Houston. You can multiply this amount of dry ice if you have large containers or longer delivery times. Dry ice is a hazardous material that is produced from frozen carbon dioxide and should be handled with care. Wear gloves and protective glasses when working with it and do not allow it to come into direct contact with food.
Dry ice
You must also leave extra space in the box so that dry ice can expand

Gel packs

For products that should be stored in a cold but not frozen form, gel packs should be used. Chilled foods should be in a cool place about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Gel packs fit in hard-to-reach places around your product container. Gel packs keep your products cool for long periods, but it’s still ideal to choose faster delivery options with Texas movers. Simply place the food in the center of your shipping box and insert the gel bags on top or side. Better yet, gel packs are safer to handle than dry ice and do not require additional labels on the pack.

Other food storage options

Gel packs are not the only way to keep your foods cold. You can also try using foam bricks, hard plastic, or flexible packaging to pack perishable items. Foam bricks are commonly used with a foam container. They will remain the same shape and you can freeze them for repeated use. Hard plastic bags are tough and inflexible. You can also use them with foam containers and you can use them more than once. You should use flexible packages if you need to install the frozen package in an inaccessible place. Flexible bags are always pliable and conveniently placed on the sides or on top of an insulated container.

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