Are there people out there that have no fridge? I mean on purpose. I realize that there are many more people on the earth who don’t have a fridge than people who do, but that seems like a far-away, non-North American thing. Wow, I sound like such a nut.
I was thinking today about what we would do if we had no fridge, whether as a result of a disaster that rendered electricity unavailable, or if we just decided that it was one luxury that we should do without, to help minimize our energy consumption. Do you know anyone that doesn’t have a fridge?
I think I could pull it off, but where does the cost-efficiency cross the line with using electricity to keep food fresh versus using some mode of transportation to get the perishable stuff more often if you don’t have refrigeration? I would sure need to have a garden, and a few chickens wouldn’t hurt, but there are many things I would still have to buy. I would buy things like grains, nuts, dry beans, dry spices, and dried fruits and vegetables, but I guess I would have to buy huge quantities, and then make sure I had a cool, dry place in the basement for them. Then I would have to make sure I had enough fresh stuff from the garden to feed us every day of the growing season, plus whatever I could put up in jars or dehydrate.
I would also feel OK about walking to the market, which is about a mile away, or biking, when I get a bike. I guess if I had a bike, I could tow one of those kid trailers, but fill it up with groceries instead. Except I wouldn’t have to fill it up, since I would only need to buy what I would use the same day.
I would also have to plan much better than I do. I would have to make meals that are the right size, with no leftovers. When I was in the Philippines, we would make dinner in the evening, and leave the leftovers on the table, covered with a cage so the rats couldn’t get to it. Then we never had to make breakfast. At first it bothered me, especially in such a warm, humid climate, but since nobody else seemed to care, I just followed suit. I think I have reverted to the paranoid American mentality, though.
Is this something that matters to people? Or is it just assumed that there will always be refrigeration? When we were looking for a house, it really only crossed my mind briefly that we could survive without a fridge, but not long enough for me to seriously consider not having one. In fact, I think I was more inclined to think of where I could put a deep-freeze or second fridge. Do I need either of those things? We have just decided to eat meat only once a week at the most, and it seems like meat is what people keep. I don’t really get pre-made, packaged foods, and that also takes up a big chunk of the average American fridge.
So do you dare me? It would take planning, and the cooperation of the other 4 people who live with me, but I think it’s possible. How much would I have to change?
H. I. P. 
November 27, 2007 at 9:51 pm
It would also be easier at this time of year. My parents keep items outside on the back porch and in the unheated garage. Why not make the best use of natural conditions?
I’ve often thought of what it would be like to keep a smaller fridge, like the ones that Europeans use. The main convenience for me is that I don’t have to grocery shop as often with a fully stocked fridge. That makes sense for me since time is my greatest asset. I would definitely miss my freezer for storage, I consider that thing part of my food storage plan. If we could eat less meat, that would definitely help. I think that if I didn’t work, I would keep fewer items in both fridge and freezer. i.e. I would have more time to make bread vs. keeping extra loaves in the freezer.
November 28, 2007 at 1:25 am
Sounds like a challenging endeavor.
This reminds me about a guy I read about in a magazine a while back. Have you heard of No Impact Man? Check out his blog-
http://www.noimpactman.typepad.com/
November 28, 2007 at 12:47 pm
My sister was without a fridge for a couple of weeks (hers broke and it took forever for her new one to come) and I think she ate out every day. Not a good option. I read somewhere that Katharine Hepburn had an ice box for years and years because she couldn’t bear for the ice man to go out of business. Sounds like quite an experience — could probably write a book about “My Year Without A Fridge.”
November 30, 2007 at 10:18 am
I believe in green, but this whole topic kind of boggles my mind. I must go lie down now.
Seriously, though, I think it might actually help you eat even healthier because your foods would be fresher because of the frequent shopping.
December 6, 2007 at 8:20 am
Unless you’ve got an old outdated model your refridgerator doesn’t use that much energy. Now your hot water heater, that you should replace with one of those flash heaters types if your goal is to use less energy. If your goal is just to not have cold milks and lunch meat on hand then I guess the fridge has to go.