Storing perishables in warm climate

[Lance Jones]

Ok all,
Now that our move to the Gulf is complete, we've noticed that fresh items go bad quicker - duh. What are some of the things you do to keep things like bread and vegetables fresh longer?

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

Zip lock freezer bags and tupperware type containers worked best for me. You have to be religious about keeping containers and bags closed up as tight as possible.

Mike

[Ron Hill]

Lance : Try vacuum pack things. 

[Stu Jackson]

Rubbermaid or similar containers.  Rice in your salt containers.  Ziploc bags.  Jars if you can stand glass on board.  Some research on long distance voyagers' websaites.  Google Beth Leonard for example.

[waterdog]

Interestingly, we always treated eggs as a perishable item keeping them refrigerated.   In the tropics, we never put them in the fridge and never had a bad egg.  just stored them in a plastic egg box.

[Lance Jones]

  Thanks all. Great responses as usual. My wife's big question is about storing potatoes.

[Stu Jackson]

Thanks all. Great responses as usual. My wife's big question is about storing potatoes.

Get a mini-hammock.

[Lance Jones]

Stu, that is soooo funny! My wife HATES storage hammocks. So, now I can put one up...

[Stu Jackson]

Stu, that is soooo funny! My wife HATES storage hammocks. So, now I can put one up...

NOOOOOOOOO Way.................................

If she doesn't like it, do NOT do it.

Also, please don't tell her it was my idea....

[Phil Spicer]

  Lance, I have said this 10,000 times, " having a wife brings everything down to 2 choices, Give her what she wants, or wish you had." And I too do not have a storage hammock...

[Ken Juul]

We tossed the bread on this trip.  Flour tortillas or the thin sandwich bagels work so much better.  Potatoes, onions, we have some that are almost 2 months old in the 3 tiered baskets that hangs from the mast turnbuckle.  Apples, oranges, limes, etc have had a multi week life in the baskets too without refrigeration.

It's trial and error.....and the item itself.  We had 2 onions, used half of one.  3 days latter the half was rotten, the whole was fine.  I think the key is to shop often for just what you need. 

[Lance Jones]

Thanks Ken, great advice. We have opted for the tiered baskets in lieu of the hammock - Stu and Phil - no worries then 

When we use to cruise in our C-22 years ago, we learned that nature usually build a great preservative in the fruit or vegetables skin. Once cut, it goes quickly.

Outstanding, as usual, advice from all.