Moving A Freezer Full Of Meat During A Heat Wave

Snow Wookie · #1 06/26/12, 08:11 PM

Hello.

We are finally almost ready to move cross country and the temperature is now, and will continue to be, well above 100 degrees real temp. We have roughly 400 lbs of grass fed free range beef that we REALLY don't wanna have to give away. We are moving about 1900 miles and was planning on plugging the freezer in at night when we stop at hotels...are we gonna need to stop through out the day and plug the freezer in as well?

Anyone have any ideas how long is ok in between plug ins and how long the freezer will need to be plugged in before being ready to head back down the road?

We will be traveling about 10-13 hours a day and the freezer will be on a flatbed cargo trailer.

Thanks for your time.

gone-a-milkin · #2 06/26/12, 08:16 PM

I would fill the whole freezer to the tippy top with milk jugs full of ice and make a run for it.
Dont leave a lot of dead airspace in the thing.
Plugging it in at night should be plenty to get you there with frozen meat.

Good luck on your move.

MO_cows · #3 06/26/12, 08:19 PM

Fill the freezer plumb full. Bags of ice, fill up 2 liter pop bottles or milk jugs with water and freeze them, whatever it takes. If it is plugged in all night it should make it thru the days just fine. Might want to strap the lid down and make sure the wind at highway speed doesn't make it come up. Resist the urge to open it and check on it.

**Shrek** · #4 06/26/12, 08:22 PM

I would just pack the freezer with dry ice while its still plugged in, seal it, lock it, unplug it, load it and scoot to the new location and not worry about it as the dry ice will keep everything chilly for almost a week.

PD-Riverman · #5 06/26/12, 08:28 PM

All you need to do is get a Power Inverter and you can keep it plugged in the whole time you are traveling----then plug it in to regular electricity while you are sleeping. I do not know the amp draw of your freezer but a 600 watt inverter should be enough if not get a 1000. You can get a 600 watt for less than $50. Good luck

Molly Mckee · #6 06/26/12, 08:34 PM

We packed our freezers with dry ice when we moved from WI TX with no problem but it was cooler.

**Shrek** · #7 06/26/12, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PD-Riverman

All you need to do is get a Power Inverter and you can keep it plugged in the whole time you are traveling----then plug it in to regular electricity while you are sleeping. I do not know the amp draw of your freezer but a 600 watt inverter should be enough if not get a 1000. You can get a 600 watt for less than $50. Good luck

An invertor to power a deep freezer generally needs to be at least 1500w /2500w surge and they run about $450.

mrs whodunit · #8 06/26/12, 08:46 PM

We traveled 800 miles in 2 days. Our freezers where fine not having been plugged in. It was fall when we moved however.

Some motels I notice have plug in for trucks.

Or plan to stay in bed and breakfasts with the condition they allow you to plug in overnight.

Common Tator · #9 06/26/12, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrek

I would just pack the freezer with dry ice while its still plugged in, seal it, lock it, unplug it, load it and scoot to the new location and not worry about it as the dry ice will keep everything chilly for almost a week.

This.

Dry ice is sold at grocery stores here. You should be able to find some along the way. I would do that at least once a day.

CarolT · #10 06/26/12, 09:15 PM

Just be careful using dry ice. It is made from CO2 which can be hazardous. It should work great, just be sure to not stick your head _inside_ the freezer with it. CO2 is heavier than air, so will sink down.

gone-a-milkin · #11 06/26/12, 09:32 PM

I dont have anywhere close that I could even buy dry ice. So I would never have thought of that.

Seems like it would work good though.

PD-Riverman · #12 06/26/12, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrek

An invertor to power a deep freezer generally needs to be at least 1500w /2500w surge and they run about $450.

Shrek, I know you can get a "top of the line" 1500 watt inverter for $450 but you can get a good 1500 watt inverter for less than $150, a true sine wave for around $200, But just for info I ran a chest freezer off a 600(con.) watt inverter a long time, but It was a 7cf. He would just need to check the amp draw on the freezer to see what size inverter it would take-----if he is interested.

arnie · #13 06/26/12, 10:25 PM

Ajj good advice filling the frezzer inverters and dry iice I'll add that any added insulation to block the wind and keep the sun off will be of help

**fordson major** · #14 06/27/12, 05:05 AM

there was an article on a shipper that shipped frozen beef packed in dry ice to troops in Afghanistan, if it can make it there (2 weeks) it can make it where you are going!

lazyBum · #15 06/27/12, 06:17 AM

We get dry ice from a welding supply business. Usually have to call it in a day in advance.

Kel T · #16 06/27/12, 06:27 AM

A couple of the Wal Marts around here carry dry ice as well.

blooba · #17 06/27/12, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PD-Riverman

Shrek, I know you can get a "top of the line" 1500 watt inverter for $450 but you can get a good 1500 watt inverter for less than $150, a true sine wave for around $200, But just for info I ran a chest freezer off a 600(con.) watt inverter a long time, but It was a 7cf. He would just need to check the amp draw on the freezer to see what size inverter it would take-----if he is interested.

Yea, just so everyone knows an inverter "can" work although I am gonna say it depends on how old of freezer it is.

I have a 1500 watt inverter and during power outages i use it to run my new side by side fridge along with a few other things. Although I have an old side by side fridge that wont run on it alone because it draws too much power so That just goes to show you how much more energy efficient the new ones can be compared to the old ones.

But not to knock the old ones, those things can take a licking and keep on ticking....lol

CountryWannabe · #18 06/27/12, 02:42 PM

I second the dry ice. I get frozen dog food shipped - it usually takes three days in transit. They pack it in a styrofoam box with dry ice and ice packs and when it arrives the ice packs and meat are always hard-frozen still.

Mary

meanwhile · #19 06/27/12, 03:09 PM

Put something over the freezer to block the sun and also block the wind heat too. Old blankets might work or packing quilts. Anything that will insulate it more.

Be sure you watch the truck at night so that no one steals stuff while you sleep. Good luck. Safe driving.

FarmerRob · #20 06/27/12, 07:38 PM

A generator strapped/chained to the flatbed and the freezer plugged in. In addition the ideas about dry ice are good and of course wrap the freezer with all the insulation you can get your hands on--things like quilts--strapped on snuggly. If you have access to any of the foil/bubble/bubble/foil that would be great also.

And don't open the freezer any time unless you are adding ice or dry ice to it.