I'm always eager to learn ways to make the job of building and keeping a well-stocked pantry easier so when I came across this tip it was like 'well, why didn't I think of that!'
What's the tip? Have a look ...
Do you see those empty soda bottles filled with water?
I washed them out, filled them almost full and added them to my freezer.
Now, why would I put water-filled soda bottles in the freezer?
Here are a few reasons ...
Put in a cooler to keep items cold
(This is handy when you go grocery shopping to keep refrigerator items cold, to keep picnic items cold, to keep beverages cold, etc.)
For the quick cool down after blanching vegetables
(You know, when you've blanched a vegetable and need to get it in cold water to stop the cooking process) These frozen water bottles will keep the water cool.
To help keep a freezer or refrigerator cold during a power outage
Smaller water bottles or soda bottles would also work. Just make sure to leave room in the bottles for expansion. The beauty of using plastic water bottles is that when the ice is completely melted you can clean the outside of the bottle off and put it back in the freezer to refreeze.
How would you use frozen water-filled soda bottles?
Thanks!
patsi
She
looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27
You can
receive A Working Pantry blog posts via:
Bloglovin
(signup in the sidebar) ...
Email
subscription service, follow.it (sign up on the sidebar)
You can view my privacy policy HERE.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and place an order, etc I earn a small fee at no increased cost to you.
I use the 20 oz bottle frozen and put in my chickens water on really hot days here in Texas!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good idea! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteI use a partly filled frozen water bottle in an insulated lunch bag when I take something perishable to work for lunch. We have a refrigerator at work but it doesn't get cleaned as often as it should. Using the frozen water bottle in an insulated bag keeps my lunch cold until lunch time and when I get home I just put it back into the freezer until I need it again.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I like eggnog but since I live alone I never make it myself. I'll buy a quart during the holidays and fill several eight ounce water bottles most of the way with eggnog and freeze them. I thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, shake well before drinking and it is just as fresh as when I bought it. It's just the right amount and is really a treat in warm weather.
BaggysMama, I like the idea of using the smaller frozen bottles for lunch bags. That's a good way to stretch out your eggnog too!
DeleteWith this heatwave I filled some bigger bottles with water and found some room for them in freezer. Once frozen I put one at a time in front of fans at childrens' rooms. It doesn't make miracles, but at least a slight drop in temp.
ReplyDeleteUlvmor, every bit of cooler air is welcome when heat is an issue whether it's via a heatwave or power outage.
DeleteWith the hurricane bearing down on Florida, my sister down there mentioned filling her freezer space with bottles of water. She said it really does make a difference when the power is out. We have a bunch of those old freezer packs that you fill with water that we have picked up at thrift stores over the years and they stay in the freezer year round for when we need them. They never leak like those gel filled ones.
ReplyDeleteLana, we've starting making hurricane preps and yes, they do indeed include having several of these bottles of ice should we need them!
DeleteI do the same thing, and I even use unopened regular water bottles. I've never had any explode or leak. I sometimes use them to keep my lunch cold and it is thawed enough to drink by lunchtime :). I have gallons in the bottom of my chest freezer too, to help take up any space and keep things cold. You never know when there will be a power outtage around here these days....
ReplyDeleteKathy, good idea, power outages are becoming more and more common!
DeleteSuch good ideas. I've done this, most often for when we're leaving on vacation and will have a day and a half drive to get there. We'd fill the cooler with a frozen milk jug of water, and nestle our condiments and other goods next to it -- things that we want to have available in our vacation rental, so we're not buying everything. And, it allows us to keep lunch items and beverages cold to have while underway. We'd refreeze once we arrive at our vacation rental, so we'd have a frozen block for the return trip home. I've also kept some smaller bottles to have a cold beverage in my lunch bag (as mentioned above) or to make sure I have an iced drink at the ready on a hot summer day. If you're freezing single serve bottles, be sure to crack open the cap and pour at least 1/4 cup out. I'd also recommend freezing without the cap on, capping the bottle after it's frozen. If capped, the thinner plastic bottles will crumple during freezing. If you freeze the single-serve bottles only 1/2 filled, add some of your favorite powdered or concentrated lemonade or iced tea and fill the remainder of the bottle with water -- or mix it in before freezing. Ready to consume iced beverage.
ReplyDeleteI've also heard of people who cut the bottoms off their 2 liter bottles and fill with a punch mix and freeze. They use it in place of ice in a punch bowl.
Lori, you've shared some really good ideas and tips! Thank you!
Delete