If you plan to leave food on the balcony regularly, you need to know something.

Due to constant power outages, Ukrainians have to face a variety of problems. For example, how to store food without a refrigerator. After all, if there is no light for more than a day, the refrigerator is as useful as the locker. Some people send food to the balcony because it is already freezing. However, this is not the best solution.



Editorial "Site" Why you should not store food on the balcony. And what nuances are worth considering if there is no other way out.

It may seem that the balcony is an excellent option for storing food. The temperature is sub-zero, which means the food will almost be in the freezer. But it is not quite so, there are nuances.

There is no stable temperature on the balcony, like in the freezer. Products will be subject to constant temperature fluctuations. I mean, they thaw a little, and then they freeze again. This way they can easily deteriorate and you won’t even notice. Although it's easier to order pizza. This can cause serious food poisoning.

We do not take into account the effects of the sun. It may not be as active in winter, but it is. So, it warms the surface on which the rays fall. Because of this, the products will be partially defrosted. And it can happen more than once. The consequences are the same as in the previous paragraph. This is why you should not use the balcony as a freezer.



What if there are no alternatives? Of course, throwing away food at such a difficult time is unacceptable. Therefore, we must try to preserve it in any way. But if there are no alternatives, then you will have to keep it on the balcony. However, you need to take into account a couple of nuances to protect yourself as much as possible.

So, when you take food out on the balcony, pack it tightly. This will protect her from unwanted germs. Also, place food so that it does not get sunlight. You can create a shaded place. Watch the weather outside. And, of course, do not leave food on the balcony for long, try to eat them as soon as possible.



We thought it would be useful to bring some more alternative storage options for the most popular products. Let's see how we can keep food longer. Anything can be extended for storage.

Vegetables and fruits are well stored without a refrigerator. If you see that something starts to deteriorate, then it is time to prepare something from it. If there are stocks of berries in the freezer, they can also be turned into a finished product. For example, make compotes or jam. It's better than letting them go bad.

The most problematic foods are meat and fish. If you can’t cook meat right now, take it to a cool place. To do this, wrap it with parchment paper, then with a towel, and then fold it into a metal container. This is the only way you can send it to the balcony. Thermal bags can also be used.



Salt can be used to preserve fish. Clean it, wash it, dry it with a paper towel. Then put in a metal container and generously pour salt. In this form, you can send to the balcony. To cook, you will need to soak it well in water. But salted fish can be stored for a very long time. The same can be done with meat.

Canned meat or fish can also be prepared. For example, make homemade stew. This way it will be stored much longer and safer.



Dairy products can be difficult with dairy products. To extend the shelf life of the oil, wrap it with parchment paper, fold it in a container and pour cold salted water. Cover the top and put something heavy. It can be stored on the balcony. Cheese is well stored without a refrigerator. Just wrap it in a bag or paper so it doesn't overdry.

To prolong the shelf life of milk, it is better to boil it. At the same time, add 0.5 teaspoons of soda to 3 liters of milk. Pour into glass jars and then place them in cold water. The same can be done with cans of sour cream or cottage cheese. This way you can store food without a refrigerator.



It’s a shame that we have to deal with this in the 21st century, but what can we do? You have to be strong and resilient while the war is going on. The main thing is not to lose hope and believe in victory. We can do this together!