Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
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I just did something that I always do but then had an "AHA" moment where I thought I should share a tip. I buy hamburger in bulk and divide it into 1# stacks, then stuff into 1 quart freezer ziplock bags. As you flatten it, all the air is pushed out the top of the bag and they take up a lot less space in your freezer because they lay flat on top of each other. Also, defrost very quickly !! I love "Tips and Tricks". I'm sure there are a lot more ideas about how to live in small spaces. What's yours? Brenda
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We may not have it all together, but together we have it all! D, B & H
Linda does something similar. When we buy hamburger, she makes patties out of most of it, and then makes a few different sized "chunks" to be used in spaghetti, chili, tacos, or whatever. All of this is put into individual plastic bags and frozen, to be taken out of the freezer when needed. She does the same thing with steaks too. They are repackaged individually before freezing.
When we want to cook some burgers on the grill, I just grab a couple out of the freezer and throw them on the grill still frozen. We thaw out the steaks before grilling them.
Because of the small size of RV refrigerators, we repackage many things we buy. It saves a lot of space.
Jim
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Jim and Linda Full-timers from 2001 to 2013 http://parttimewithjandl.blogspot.com/ 2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel pulling a Heartland 26LRSS TT May your days be warm, and your skies be blue. May your roads be smooth, and your views ever-new.
I do the same thing with chicken breasts, buy a large package and stick a couple into each quart bag, and I try to keep my shelves in the freezer with just one item. meat, veggies, fruit etc. I know some don't have that option but it's handy when you can just open the door and grab and close the door quickly!
Linda
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Fulltiming since Katrina, on the road since Sept 06, just me and Jim and dog named Boo!
We take the cereal out of the big boxes and just keep them in the bag they are packaged in. This frees up a lot of space in the pantry and you can see how much cereal you have left at a glance. Space is what it is all about.
Space saving is indeed important, especially in my rig, a Roadtrek 21' van. I love to cook with spices so I make up my own spice blends to take on the road. I have italian, mexican and chinese. I keep in in small bags and this takes up much less room than many different bottles of spices. I know you can buy blends too, but I prefer to use my own. If you like tips you can check out my website at www.roadchefcuisine.com. Please feel free to leave tips and recipes, it's made for people who travel in an rv with a small kitchen.
I don't even use the ice maker that is in my freezer. (Wish I could take it out and have the space, but need to leave it for resale.) I love store bought ice. My big splurge !!!
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We may not have it all together, but together we have it all! D, B & H
We have a seperate ice maker. We love to have ice in our drinks and when we entertain. We bought ours from a website.....compact appliances??? Not sure, but they were running a special. We got ours last year for $79 with no shipping and handling.....they also have refurbished items. We have ours right on top of our cube freezer!!! Another "buy" from that website. Again we caught it on a closeout. We love it. It stays cold when we travel.....never have had any problems with it when we travel. Love all of the handy little secrets that we all do to save space in the freezer. I put 1-2 chicken breasts in a ziplock myself....do the same with italian sausages, and bratwursts.
Great ideas everybody...my brother n law taught me this trick...before freezing steaks ,season them and put them in freezer bag and then pour your marinade mixture over them and seal tight and freeze. When you are ready for steak just set out to thaw and they marinade while thawing! YUmmmm!
In addition, we have one of those cheap (about $8) vacuum bag devices that make a BIG difference in how long things last frozen - as well as the quality. Available at any grocery in the foil department.
We also use the Debbie Meyer Green bags for refrigerator storage. I thought they were just another "gadget" to waste money on until a friend gave us a few to try. They work as advertised and make a BIG difference in how long things last.
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Jack & Danielle Mayer PLEASE USE EMAIL TO COMMUNICATE
http://www.jackdanmayer.com, 2009 Volvo 780 HDT, 2015 New Horizons 45'Custom 5th, smart car New Horizons Ambassadors - Let us help you build your dream RV.....
Wouldn’t it be nice to buy food products for just two people without resorting to tv dinners?
We have a portable dual power freezer in on outside storage compartment. Of all the optional equipment, it’s the one we get the most bang for the buck. Having a place to put things we’ve bought on sale has easily paid for it.
We don’t use a lot of sliced bread so we freeze most of it for later use. To save space, we spread each half of the loaf into two gallon sized freezer bags. With wheat bread, you absolutely won’t be able to tell it was frozen.
If you don’t already do it, then another suggestion is to learn to cut up a chicken – at least in half. Not only does it save freezer space, it’s cheaper if you cut up your own.
Carry over the hamburger patty idea to sausage. That works too.
I wasn’t impressed that my fridge had an ice maker until we boon docked a few times and my wife put me in charge of the ice trays.
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When it comes to the hereafter, I want to be in the no smoking section.
Here is one other idea that I just came up with. Buy a pound of hamburger meat and make patties out of it. Put them on the grill and cook them and then call me and I will store them away for you...What do you think about that??
Here is one other idea that I just came up with. Buy a pound of hamburger meat and make patties out of it. Put them on the grill and cook them and then call me and I will store them away for you...What do you think about that??
Speedy
Speedy, you are a real gentleman! How is that for being a helpful and friendly RVing pal! Can you do the same for chicken, steaks, shrimp, etc? I have such a small freezer and could really use the help.
gypsy
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gypsy97 www.gypsy97.blogspot.com 2004 Hitchhiker II 2002 Ford F-350, diesel, dually Fulltimer as of 12/01/2008!
Jack, I appreciated your comment on the mini-vacuum gadget that can be found at the grocery store. I'd seen that before, but figured it was just something "gimmicky". But now I think I'll get one & give it a try. Especially since I just pulled a roast from the freezer today & found that it's freezer burned!
Also I've previously looked for the Debbie Meyer bags but haven't found them at Walmart or the grocery store. Are those bags only available by ordering thru TV?
I have seen the Debbie Meyer green bags at Walmart but also at Bed Bath and Beyond. They can be washed out and re-used so they last forever. Just finishing up some fresh strawberries that I bought almost 2 weeks ago, kept them in the frig in a green bag and they are still good. Do not wash until you are ready to use them. Don't know anything about the mini vacuum thing. I just put food in freezer bags and get as much air out as possible then with opening just large enough for a straw suck the rest of the air out, remove straw and close. Economical and a straw is much easier to store.
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We may not have it all together, but together we have it all! D, B & H