Tips For Moving With Frozen Food

September 28, 2021

The days and weeks leading up to a move often involve clearing out your previous home, and that includes the fridge. Ideally, you should try to leave without anything left in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry. However, that’s not always possible, especially if you stock your freezer to the brim.

There are plenty of pantry and refrigerator items you may end up giving away or tossing in the trash, but the idea is to create as little waste as possible. Moving can be costly and arriving at your new home with food to cook can help save you time, money and stress.

Moving with frozen food requires planning and proper equipment. Consider the following tips to move frozen food safely and effectively.

How to Transport Frozen Food When Moving

1. Toss expired foods: The first step in moving any food — frozen or not — is to throw away any expired foods. Use or get rid of any condiments or other food items that only have a small amount left inside. Dented cans should also be discarded, as they might contain foods that are unsafe to eat.
2. Use what you can: The less you have to move, the easier it should be. Plan to eat as many of your frozen food items as possible before your move. Leave any frozen foods you probably won’t use at your new destination with friends and family. Consider donating unopened frozen foods to those in need.
3. Get the right equipment: Moving frozen food long distances requires a portable freezer or high-quality cooler. Pack your portable freezer or cooler with cold packs, ice blocks or dry ice to help keep the frozen items cold throughout the journey. Restock the ice as needed to keep the temperature in your cooler below 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). This is the temperature required to prevent spoiling and bacterial growth.Moving frozen food to a new freezer in a box or bag is unsafe, even if you’re moving around the block.
4. Pack Frozen Food: Wrap frozen meats in newspaper and place them in sealable containers or storage baggies to prevent juices from leaking. Store meats at the bottom of the cooler, then place other frozen items on top. Pack frozen foods tightly, as any air pockets may cause them to defrost faster. Fill any open spaces in the cooler with ice packs if needed. Knowing how to keep food frozen when moving is essential to preventing spoiling and keeping your family safe.
5. Stock Your New Freezer: Frozen food should be some of the first items to enter your new home. Immediately transfer frozen items from your cooler into your new freezer. These frozen foods can come in handy during the first days in your new home, limiting your trips to the grocery store so that you can get started unpacking.

Hire a Moving Company

Moving frozen foods from one home to another may seem like a major undertaking, but it can save you a lot of money and unnecessary stress upon arrival in your new home. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it all on your own.

The professional movers at New City Moving offer a wide range of services, including tackling the tedious tasks of packing, unpacking and more. Reach out to New City Moving to discuss moving services and request a free quote for your next move.