Shrink Your Freezer to Save Energy for FREE!
Intro: Shrink Your Freezer to Save Energy for FREE!
So you got a full-size freezer or deep-freeze, but you don't use all the space. Whether you rent or may need the space later you don't have to pay for that wasted space. So I'm going to teach you NEUTRALLOADING. The simple idea of loading insulating material to avoid paying to cool or heat air.
STEP 1: Materials.
1.Several plastic grocery bags.
2.Styrofoam peanuts
3.Packaging tape.
Who said 2 wrongs don't make a right? Rather than throwing out those evil plastic bags and non-biodegradable styrofoam peanuts you can reuse them to save energy.
Simply fill one plastic sack with peanuts and then use another bag to cover the gap making a Styrofoam pillow. You can double-bag or use plastic bags as filler also. Seal the ends with clear packaging tape and your done. Make enough pillows to fill the unused space in your freezer or deep-freeze.
2.Styrofoam peanuts
3.Packaging tape.
Who said 2 wrongs don't make a right? Rather than throwing out those evil plastic bags and non-biodegradable styrofoam peanuts you can reuse them to save energy.
Simply fill one plastic sack with peanuts and then use another bag to cover the gap making a Styrofoam pillow. You can double-bag or use plastic bags as filler also. Seal the ends with clear packaging tape and your done. Make enough pillows to fill the unused space in your freezer or deep-freeze.
STEP 2: Final Results.
Now throw your insulating pillows into your freezer or deep-freeze making sure to leave space for your fan. Make sure to leave plenty of circulation room. I prefer to fill the front half and leave a space behind so everything is evenly chilled. Putting things like icecream directly in front of the fan are great for fast freezing and prevents thawing crystals forming in the food.
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24 Comments
sharing_s_caring 9 years ago
I like the idea of styro-peanuts swap. Your idea fixes an immediate emptiness problem. However I think packages sized with empty food containers would be a better swap option than a large block as you rotate food in and out. Fill your empty food boxes, wrap/label so you don't think they contain food as you swap in & out.
Unfortunately, I am a fan of filling my freezer with food and here's how I do it on a budget.
I do bulk cooking sessions-spaghetti, pinto beans, meat loafs, cakes, cobbler and place in 3 cup freezer containers and place in freezer. I fix mini tv dinners with meatloaf/chicken loaf, peas, carrots or other veg combination. The 3-cup containers will hold 4 single food portions or 1 tv dinner. I usually freeze only one item in container and add different veggies at time reheated.
Cooking a large veg soup pot or meat stew makes a good cheap one dish meal with healthy options. PS. Potatoes don't freeze well in soups, stews, or tv dinners. Serve potatoes freshly cooked on the side and add just like you crumble crackers into the soup.
I freeze 2 cups of milk in 2 cup freezer containers as they are the right size for a double batch of cake or cobbler cooking options.
I do layers of spiral ham between two layers of waxed paper and use ziplock freezer bags. Using your empty pizza boxes would make a neat stacking option. You could also place individually wrapped desserts inside those pizza boxes.Use paper tape and a magic marker to label and date contents. Please remember to date your food when you place in the freezer, first in-first out.
Oddly enough I freeze ice cubes with fresh herbs combo's that I use in cooking. I also freeze small containers of fruit juice or tea for use in pitchers in hot weather.
And yep, finally, I have 10 ice cube trays in my freezer and I try to keep them filled.
I fix diy freezer bags of ice if I know company is coming so I don't have to buy ice.
Now, having said all this, where did I store those peanuts? I've got an empty space that I need to fill until I can get cooking my next day off work!
diy_bloke 12 years ago
captainhurt 9 years ago
counterproductive idea. With water jugs, you are paying to keep useless mass cold. only makes sense to fill a freezer with food you want frozen and/or more insulation.
diy_bloke 9 years ago
well, obviously I never did a study on it and you might well be right, still it beats just keeping air, but I will give the insulation material a try too. Got masses of chips that come in boxes with stuff I arder
macrumpton 13 years ago
captainhurt 9 years ago
yes, the food should be surrounded (not on one side) as much as possible by insulation, barring being difficult to access and prolonging open-door-time.
Gopher Mound 14 years ago
bobstuart 15 years ago
ac-dc 15 years ago
marc92 15 years ago
ac-dc 15 years ago
shooby 15 years ago
cokebottle tuque 15 years ago
Shadowmang 15 years ago
marc92 15 years ago
ac-dc 15 years ago
Goodluck 15 years ago
ac-dc 15 years ago
Another tip is to make some of them slightly salt-water instead of plain water (just don't drink it by mistake). Because salt water has a lower freezing temperature, it will begin melting sooner, at a lower temp than 32', keeping the freezer compartment cooler, keeping the food from thawing yet which will increase it's lifespan and degrade it's texture if frozen again later. There are other types of gells and liquids that are even better at absorbing heat at lower temperature than that of water alone, but they cost a lot more than salt and tapwater, plus the salt water is not a total loss, in event of emergency you can throw some dried beans in, heat, and make soup if it's not too salty.
lampajoo 15 years ago
punxrus 15 years ago