Page 1 of 1

Efficient Freezer Use

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 9:26 am
by HappyDaze
This is probably not news to most people here on the forum, but we have been "eating down" the frige freezer and it is somewhat empty, save for 2 frozen pizzas (DD's) and several bags of frozen vegetables (mine).

To fill the empty space, I filled plastic jugs half full of water and put them in there. The extra frozen items will help keep the temperature so it doesn't run as much - and, if the power goes out, will be extra protection against things thawing out.

Re: Efficient Freezer Use

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 10:21 am
by MackerelCat
I do this with empty cat litter jugs, which are just the right size to fill the bottom of our little chest freezer.

Another thing a frozen jug is good for is a homemade swamp cooler when the air conditioning goes out: put the jug in a pan to catch the condensation, point a fan at it and seat yourself in the flow of the cold air. Our air conditioning went out the last summer of our very old corgi's life, when the dog was quite sick and could not cope with the heat. We set him up a bed in the kitchen in the path of the fan and rotated frozen jugs of water so that he stayed comfortable for the five or so days it took to get the AC fixed. The humans were melting, but he was in great shape.

Re: Efficient Freezer Use

Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 6:04 pm
by HappyDaze
MackerelCat wrote: Mon Apr 26, 2021 10:21 am I do this with empty cat litter jugs, which are just the right size to fill the bottom of our little chest freezer.

Another thing a frozen jug is good for is a homemade swamp cooler when the air conditioning goes out: put the jug in a pan to catch the condensation, point a fan at it and seat yourself in the flow of the cold air. Our air conditioning went out the last summer of our very old corgi's life, when the dog was quite sick and could not cope with the heat. We set him up a bed in the kitchen in the path of the fan and rotated frozen jugs of water so that he stayed comfortable for the five or so days it took to get the AC fixed. The humans were melting, but he was in great shape.
Mackie, I do that for my dogs on the very hottest days of summer by putting a pan of ice in front of the fan. I was happy to see them figure out that they needed to lay in the path of the cool breeze. That, along with covering the windows after closing them helps a little. Of course I don't run the fan when I'm not at home.

Re: Efficient Freezer Use

Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 10:17 pm
by alliesmama4
HappyDaze wrote: Mon Apr 26, 2021 6:04 pm Mackie, I do that for my dogs on the very hottest days of summer by putting a pan of ice in front of the fan. I was happy to see them figure out that they needed to lay in the path of the cool breeze. That, along with covering the windows after closing them helps a little. Of course I don't run the fan when I'm not at home.
One year I had a power outage and my rabbit, Ginger, was really suffering. I put some ice in a two zip lock bags and wrapper a thin piece of fabric around it to soak up the moisture as the ice melted. I hoped Ginger would not freak out when I put the first bag of ice along side of her. She jumped up and I thought ok not going to work. However after she jumped up she rolled the bag around a bit and then stretched out on top of the ice bag.lol Way to go Ginger. I had bought several bags of ice and had them in a cooler and was able to keep her cool until the electric came back on. I did use some of the ice to make a cool compress for myself by getting a couple of light weight towels wet and alternatingly changing them out from the cooler.

Re: Efficient Freezer Use

Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 6:56 am
by HappyDaze
alliesmama4 wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 10:17 pm One year I had a power outage and my rabbit, Ginger, was really suffering. I put some ice in a two zip lock bags and wrapper a thin piece of fabric around it to soak up the moisture as the ice melted. I hoped Ginger would not freak out when I put the first bag of ice along side of her. She jumped up and I thought ok not going to work. However after she jumped up she rolled the bag around a bit and then stretched out on top of the ice bag.lol Way to go Ginger. I had bought several bags of ice and had them in a cooler and was able to keep her cool until the electric came back on. I did use some of the ice to make a cool compress for myself by getting a couple of light weight towels wet and alternatingly changing them out from the cooler.
Janet, what a great idea, you are very resourceful! I can only imagine how much Ginger appreciated those ice bags!