As the weather warms up, so do the thoughts of storing foods at home. Now, you might think that a facility specifically designed for storing perishables would be too expensive and/or impractical to build in your backyard, but that’s not always the case. You can easily store perishable foods in a cold storage facility with some simple tips. Even if you can’t fit a commercial-grade unit into your budget, there are plenty of small home cold storage ideas for preparedness that will accommodate your needs. Here are some helpful guidelines to get started on the right track:
- Know your needs
When it comes to your cold storage, you’ll want to know the best place to store foods that have a very short shelf life. The longer the shelf life, the less often you’ll have to worry about spoiling your goods. If you’re storing perishable foods like fruit or vegetables, you’ll also want a cold storage facility with humidity controls to keep the fruits and vegetables from getting soggy.
- Consider ventilation
When it comes to ventilation, larger units offer more options, including mechanical and thermal ventilation options. Achieving optimal air flow is essential to combating the growth of bacteria and the development of spoilage organisms. To achieve optimal airflow, consider using a commercial-grade air flow meter to measure the velocity of air in the unit. If the total airflow is less than 60% of the capacity of the unit, you’ll likely experience the growth of bacteria and spoilage organisms. If your unit has an automated operation, set the operation to maintain a constant humidity of at least 15%. Tropical and subtropical regions are more likely to experience frequent flooding, which can lead to the growth of bacteria and spoilage organisms.
- Choose a climate-control unit
When it comes to selecting a cold storage facility, you’ll want to choose a unit that’s climate-control capable. This means that the temperature inside the unit will not fluctuate too much due to the different environments in which the unit will be used. This will help to ensure that your foods retain a quality texture and flavor. If you’re unsure about which unit to choose, look for ones with a “Class A” rating. These are top-of-the-line units and are capable of maintaining a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius inside the unit.
- Set up with produce and food safety in mind
When setting up your cold storage, it’s important to take into account the safety of your foods. Produce should be stored at least 5 degrees Celsius above room temperature to avoid potential bacterial growth. Fruits and vegetables should be stored at least 6 degrees Celsius above room temperature to avoid potential chemical spoiling. And of course, no food should ever be left out at room temperature, so store your perishable foods in the coolest, driest place available.
If you’re unsure where to get cold storage, you can try looking for your cold storage near me within your area. You can also consult a cold storage contractor for further advice.
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