Living without a fridge

nicola1982_2

I've just found out that I'll have to manage for 2 weeks without a fridge. Now I know it can be done (Fridges haven't been around forever!), I'm just not sure how. Any advice is much appreciated!

Lillibet_2

If the weather is cool/cold keep things outside in a cool box! Milk etc will safely keep like this for a few days as long as birds/predetors can't get to it. If it is warm then try keeping milk in a sink full of cold water. If you will still have use of a freezer you could use several batches of ice blocks in rotation. Things like eggs, hard cheese & butter will safely keep on a cool kitchen counter anyway & don't necssarily need to be refrigerated unless it is very warm. Best to avoid things like yogurt for the duration as this is very sensitive to tempreature change. I'd sugest keeping to vegaterian meals or buying fish & meat daily & not having leftovers as you won't be able to keep these safely.

HTH;)

pavlovs_dog

if you can get hold of one of those mini fridges (often for cans etc), these are a godsend. i used a large version of one of these at uni, rather than feed 7 thieving flatmates, and they are very effective at keeping things cold (well my one was anyway )

HGLTsuperstar

Well our garage is freezing and we often stand things out there

jenniferpa

Have a look at this DIY cooler

Jennifer

saving-grace

I would agree with the idea of using a cool box and ice-blocks in rotation (as Lillibet suggested - I don't know how to do quotes yet!)
We used to do this on camping holidays in France (freezing the icepacks overnight at the camp shop) and it worked very well (and at times the weather was very hot!). If you don't have the use of a freezer perhaps a neighbour could help out by freezing ice packs for you

lady_fuschia

My fridge has broken and we can't afford a new one right now!
I've got my eyes on freecycle for something, and have put word out amongst everyone I know.
But realistically it could be at least a fortnight until we get a new one. Luckily there was very little in it at the time and we managed to salvage things.
Mainly I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips on no-fridge menu planning- the last few days we've been buying bits on the way home from work and cooking straight away, but it works out expensive, not to mention inconvenient. Can we still eat on a budget for a week or two without a fridge or freezer compartment?

Thanks

Blairweech

Do you have anywhere thats quite cold and dark in your house? Like a stone floor that could temporaily act as a larder? Or a container that can go outside in the cold? Maybe try doing more vegetarian meals, as most vegetables can survive without being in the fridge for a few days? And rice and pasta dishes are good too (like, spaghetti with tinned tomatoes - simple, but cheap and comes straight out of the cupboard). Eggs can survive out of the fridge as well, so quick ideas:

Piperade
Roasted peppers with couscous
Spaghetti with tinned tomatoes (add garlic, onions and herbs to jazz it up a bit)
Seven layer tortilla pie (using dried or canned beans - this does use cheese though, but you coud buy that fresh?)
Tuna noodle casserole

Maybe pick up some dried milk powder so you could do things like mac 'n' cheese. Try experimenting, using up all those storecupboard ingredients for a while.

HTH - it must be a right royal pain in the bottom having your fridge conk out!

lady_fuschia

Luckily I'm veggie anyway - and OH doesn't eat a lot of meat. With it being so humid in the South at the mo I'm finding the veg isn't lasting as long as usual.
Unfortunately our flat is on the first floor and the size of most people's living rooms (!)
Thanks for the advice anyway !

Biddyrolo

When we moved we didn't have a fridge and I used to seal stuff up in bags and keep them in a bucket of cold water.

thriftlady_2

If you have a terracotta flowerpot you can soak it in water, and then upturn it over your milk bottles/jug. It's supposed to keep the milk cool.Or alternatively stick it in a bucket of water.

Just asked my old mum what they used to do in the old days She says they shopped daily, which as she points out should be easier now supermarkets are open all the time.