Couple of Questions...

[RawDrop]

First... dehydrator tempurature. Because some of us are in other countries, do you mind if you guys post with F or C on temperature. I get confused easy. I am thinking that most of you are speaking F, but just in case. I have an oven that is C, and a home made dehydrator, so I have to guess most of the time.

Second.. How do you guys store most of your foods and produce? I am currently using recycled jars from my sad days, (curry, sweet and sour, peanut butter, etc) to store most of my dry goods, i.e nuts, groats, etc. How about produce? Some people have recommended paper bags, on the counter, or in the fridge? I want my produce to last as long as it can without losing too much nutrition. I know I am currently growing a lot of my own, but just in case for those that I have to buy.

Third... Does anyone know about glass containers in the freezer? I am trying to get away from using ANY plastic. (My cutting boards are glass, wood or metal, my utensils are either wood or metal, all of my dry storage is in glass.) I want to be able to do up some ice creams and lasagnas and have them ready in the freezer, but I don't want to put anything into plastic because of how unhealthy it is for you. Any hints or tips? I was thinking for some things I can maybe line plastic containers in some foil???

I have more questions, a lot!! But My partner and I are going on a foraging trip. We just got a book about wild foods. I want to see if I can find some yummy fungi to marinate!

Any help would be greatly welcomed and appreciated!!

Thanks!

[northernstars]

I sometimes use canning jars to store my foods. The canning jars are also good in the freezer.

[Free Energy]

Hi RawDrop,

I store all of my food in glass jars or bowls, even in the freezer. Anchor Hocking makes great glass containers for storing any dried goods. I store all of my nuts in the freezer so they don't go rancid or I soak, then dehydrate them to remove the oils. They stay fresher longer and have a crisp you won't find in regular oil filled nuts. Pyrex also makes great containers for storage, if you don't mind a plastic lid. Citrus fruit likes being stored in a window near the sun and so do tomatoes, except for lemons which tend to spoil quickly, I keep them in the fridge. While most produce doesn't need to be refrigerated in cool temps., I store most of mine in the fridge leaving me extra room on the counter for other things. Peppers, eggplant, and most fruit can be left out on the counter.
I wouldn't use foil for anything since it draws flavor out of any meal or produce. The nutrition and enzyme content is already so low in the produce we buy in the store, it's best to prepare and consume them as quickly as you can. Hope all that helps. Have a great day!

In Joy,
Chrissy

[RawDrop]

Thanks guys! I really didn't want to use foil. Like I said, I am trying to go all glass, etc. (I might even try to make some terra cotta containers as well.)

I am glad to hear that glass jars are fine in the freezer! I will be making some ice cream and energy bars and freezing them!!!

WOO HOO!

[Eva]

Dehydrator temperature -- The formula for F to C is (F-32)*5/9 = C

So... frequently you'll see 105, which is 41 degrees.

[raw_danceruk]

You can use glass jars, erm..if you have a QD/Wilkinsons/Tesco you can get them there, or order them online in Bulk

Produce

I store on the counter top..since its cold here!!
Citrus is fine for ages countertop
Same with most root veggies
Banana's-- keep at various stages of ripless, same with avocado
If I have a lot of greens- like a case, I do put those into the fridge
Berries/grapes go in the fridge

Hemp protein powder go in the fridge(as does coconut meat/nuts/flax seeds)

You will soon get used to the amounts you need/how fast things perish ..depending on temperature..source etc.

Hope that helps:D