Help needed in storing provisions on a Westsail 32

  • May 26, 2014 10:21 AM
    Message # 1557356
    Deleted user
    Hi - We have recently move on board our Westsail 32 and I'm working on trying to figure out the best way to store provisions on board, especially fresh fruits and vegetables.  Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?  Our current refrigerator is not functioning, instead we have an Engel 12V cooler that is stored in the starboard side of the v-berth.  This works well but I won't be able to store all our groceries in it.  In my reading, the recommendation is to store most of the foods in a dark, dry and well ventilated area.  My idea was to store the fresh foods in one of the settee cupboards that does not have a cushion blocking the vent area (the handle). Has anyone done this?  Can fresh foods be stored under the settee areas as well?  Has this worked for anyone?  What about the bilge area?  
    Thanks,
    Sophia
  • May 27, 2014 6:43 AM
    Reply # 1557623 on 1557356
    I've been a full time W32 live aboard for about 9 years now. Maybe what I've found works for me can work for you.  That said, as you settle in you will eventually sort it out for yourself.

    Personally I prefer having things I need to cook with right handy. I'd think 'running all over the boat' to get an onion or a green pepper would get old quick.

    Your mileage may vary but I don't buy more fruits/veggies than I can use in the next few days.  I'm fortunate in that there are about a dozen open air veggie/fruit stands within a very short dinghy ride of my boat.

    I have a small nylon net 'gear hammock' strung above the wet locker (next to nav station) to hold onions.  I have another longer one strung under the boom gallows for larger items and/or those that won't ripen too quickly like pineapples, mangos, papayas, etc. (be careful of ants though).

    I also have a small net 'ditty bag' for potatoes (don't store potatoes & onions together) hung from the inboard onion hammock hook. Same with my garlic that comes in it own little netbag.

    Since my refrig works I store fresh veggies and fruits there. Otherwise if I were you I'd be looking at where to string small net hammocks in/around the galley.  The trick is, finding one of the proper length you need for where you want to hang it although it's not hard to make a smaller one out of a long one. Or just hooks to hang net ditty bags from.

    I have two collapsible double size 'milk crates' I bought from 'The Container Store'. They fit perfectly on the pilot berth (above the Starboard settee).  In one I keep can goods and the other dry goods (flour, rice, sugar, etc.).  A third is used for other 'random stuff'.

      Collapsible crate

    You always want to remove food items from their original paper & cardboard container. Roaches love cardboard and will lay eggs in them to later hatch in your boat. I store all dry goods in their own plastic jars/containers/Tupperware/etc and everything that won't go into a jar etc. goes into a zip lock bag.  If necessary I will cut the instructions from the box and put it in the container as well.  For flour, sugar, cornmeal etc. I use food grade screw top jars like these (you can find them at restaurant supply stores with different colored lids to 'color code' the contents)

    Food grade jar

    My final advice is to get your refrigerator running (and turn the Engel into a spare freezer).  Using the icebox with block/crushed ice (as I did for a while) turns into a PITA. I finally replaced my defunct Adler Barbour unit only to discover the icebox insulation was shot and it only kept things 'cool'. I recently re-insulated the icebox I discovered what having lots of cold storage and an ice cold drink was about.  Yes, it's expensive and a lot of work but bite the bullet. It's definitely worthwhile and will probably save your 'new adventure' in the long run :).
    Last modified: May 27, 2014 6:46 AM | Anonymous member
  • May 28, 2014 7:40 AM
    Reply # 1558083 on 1557356
    If you are talking about long voyages with no access to stores to buy fresh stuff, the outlook is dismal.  You'll have fresh food for only the first few days.

    In addition to what Mike said, we found a significant improvement using "green bags" to store veggies.   Debbie Myers is one brand of such bags.  We also use the meat bags, bread bags, and cheese bags.  All of them allow us to store stuff significantly longer without refrigeration, or longer still with refrigeration.

    Highly processed breads last a very long time.   Wonder bread will last much longer than fresh bakery bread.  Thomas' Bagels will last months compared to one day for fresh bagels.   Hostess Twinkies are reputed to last longer than the pyramids :-)   In other words, less-healthy is correlated with lasts-longer.

    Specific to potatoes, there is a old trick of storing individual potatoes in socks.  That prevents them from sprouting. Ditto for apples.  A bad apple in a sock is less likely to spoil neighboring apples in the bin.

    Onions and tomatoes: we buy the smallest ones that we can find so that we don't have to store sliced leftovers. 

    Some articles say that coating eggs such as in wax makes them last a long time without refrigeration.  We never tried that one.

    Ultra-pasteurized milk (such as organic) lasts much longer.  Parmalat milk can be stored for months without refrigeration before opening. 

    We also use our pressure cooker as an autoclave. Leftovers that won't fit in the refrigerator, we put in the pressure cooker.  Then add a little water, seal the top and heat it fully.  Leave the top on.  The interior should be sterile and suitable to keep the food until the next meal. I'm sure that food safety experts say that practice is unsafe, but we take the chance sometimes when the refrigerator is full.

    You should look for books and articles on "provisioning."


    Fair WInds


  • May 28, 2014 5:11 PM
    Reply # 1558283 on 1557356
    Deleted user
    Sophia

    if you are at the dock. (SHOP SMALL!!) it is not the QE2
    Out to sea Dick and Mike gave some good advise

    I will add one other bit (do not stack a freezer to tight as airflow is required!) there were some happy fish mid Pacific in 2006 when I found the bottom of the freezer thawed out the meatballs.
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