One More Freezing / Bugs Question

[SMeyer829]

Based on all I've read, to try and avoid bugs, I am planning to vacuum seal and freeze my flour, rice, etc. before our first trip south this fall.

Question: things with some type of leavening agent, like self-rising flour or Bisquick, can they be frozen or will the cold temperatures destroy the leavening agent? Would that only be a problem with things with yeast?

Thank you!

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruisers Forum

the bugs are usually already in the flour. Seal the container and put a piece of dry ice in it when you seal the bag. Once you do this the bugs will be dead and no worries, bugs are dead and unless you leave the container open gor long periods, no problem. The dry ice doesn't freeze the bugs, it gasses them.

Cruising the Caribbean it's not really not necessary to store large quantities as you can find plenty of supplies.

[MarkJ]

I agree, its not really worth it.

Just buy small packs of flour (etc) and try to buy in plastic. Then if one goes bung you just chuck it overboard.

I think I had some of those tiny little flour crawlies (not the bigger black bugs) the other day when I was crumbing chicken.... sure didn't notice them cooked Then tossed the bag in the trash.

I would have thought most stuff from first world countries has been iradiated so chance of bugs slender.

We did have a bit of fun half way accross the Pacific after we provisioned in Panama.... a trail a few miles long behind the boat of pasta, rice, flour, etc. I had to survive 6 months only on beer.


Mark

[SMeyer829]

Thank you for the quick response.

I read about the the dry ice but think using the freezer, if it works, would be easier than obtaining the dry ice over and over again. I plan to work on this gradually over the next two months and have started freezing as I go and I didn't know what to do about the self-rising items.

We're going to the Bahamas and, while I've read a lot about where to provision, I was trying to save some money by shopping the sales here. Plus I really don't like schlepping groceries and stuff. I know it's a fact of life while cruising but I'm trying to avoid what I can and I'd like to save the money and schlepping for anything fresh/local that I can find.

[SMeyer829]

. . . and, I agree with MarkJ, you would have thought in 1st world countries bugs would be eradicated but I have had an infestation in my pantry from rice bought at my local Giant - UGH!!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by SMeyer829

I didn't know what to do about the self-rising items.

.

Get a can of baking powder.

You can better control the rising agent that way, anyway.

[Unicorn Dreams]

MarkJ
So you are saying bugs in your supplies is what made your beer bidget $480,000,000.00. Wondered how you talked Nicolle into that.

[AquaticUrsidae]

freezing does not destroy yeast, thus you can buy unrisen loaves of bread frozen to bake. Cold does not kill yeast, heat does.
Seabear

[Me-and-Boo]

The sailors of old ate the bugs when they ran out of everything else edible. I keep a few cans of ingredients for Boendegi on the shelf.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Me-and-Boo

The sailors of old ate the bugs when they ran out of everything else edible. I keep a few cans of ingredients for Boendegi on the shelf.

Thats the spirit, plan to HAVE bugs. Do you keep stuff for making proper dishes using cockroaches?

[travler37]

Originally Posted by SMeyer829

Thank you for the quick response.

I read about the the dry ice but think using the freezer, if it works, would be easier than obtaining the dry ice over and over again. I plan to work on this gradually over the next two months and have started freezing as I go and I didn't know what to do about the self-rising items.

We're going to the Bahamas and, while I've read a lot about where to provision, I was trying to save some money by shopping the sales here. Plus I really don't like schlepping groceries and stuff. I know it's a fact of life while cruising but I'm trying to avoid what I can and I'd like to save the money and schlepping for anything fresh/local that I can find.

Just a word of ....well my experience.
Schlepping the local haunts,markets/groceries is the best way to meet/experience the local way of life.If thats not what your after please keep it in mind.
Enjoy
Mark
PS.support the local economy

[SMeyer829]

Originally Posted by travler37

Just a word of ....well my experience.
Schlepping the local haunts,markets/groceries is the best way to meet/experience the local way of life.If thats not what your after please keep it in mind.
Enjoy
Mark
PS.support the local economy

agreed. I plan to shop regularly, and do when abroad, but it's definitetly less stressful to be able to buy whatever's available then looking for something specific. I'm sure that part of the fun will be putting a meal together with whatever I can get locally.

I'm not sure I'll use much of my ship's stores but would like to option if I need it.

. . . and I guess I was hoping to not always be near markets

[JanetGroene]

The knock on readymade mixes such as pancake mix is that fats can go bad, so carry them for short times and keep them cold. Note use-by dates. I freeze yeast to keep it longer. Baking powder goes bad but baking soda lasts forever. I believe it's safest and best to buy and stow ingredients separately, then combine them rather than buying mixes.

[roverhi]

The dry ice trick is not about freezing but the CO2 that is the dry ice. The CO2 that sublimes out of dry ice deprives the bugs of the O2 that they need to survive and reproduce.

There is a reason to take a sifter along on your cruise. You lose a lot of valuable protein and the flour is a very blah monochrome but go for it if it makes you feel better.

[Amapola]

You can also microwave flours for 5 minutes to rid of bugs.