I live in a house in Abruzzo Italy built in the 1690's and it is so interesting how this house was strategically positioned to facilitate adriatic airflow to cool the house off at night with no air conditioning. These are genius energy free cooling methods that do not even get considered at all with modern building. That we have lost the art of orientation for air flow is such a shame.
Thanks for commenting and yes our house built in the 1600s I think his perfectly positioned to make the most of the direction of the sun and no windows on the north side - it gets cold here in winter. They knew what they were doing when they built these houses.👍🥰
We got so occupied with controlling the environment and making money that we made things more complicated than they need to be (and to be honest, a lot of it is just so people can make money)
It was the way that my grandparents lived back in the early sixties. They used kerosene lamps for lights at night and cooked on a wood stove. The house was always comfortable during the hot muggy summers because the doors and windows were left open at night while it was cool out. Granny worked hard to put up or to prepare foods for storage by ( canning ) everything they grew in the garden. They have us a wonderful time of it. We worked hard to de-weed, chop, carried well water, pulled weeds and picked abd shelled beans and we learned to love rural country life taking the best naps when it was hot and muggy. There was absolutely nothing missing in our lives. Today people look upon living like this as poverty but we were truly rich and content to be well fed and safe. I enjoy your content, subbed for more. 🍃💚
Wonderful video! I've been thinking about getting rid of my fridge for years. My mother grew up without electricity or running water, and before she passed away I spent years interviewing her and her older brother about how they did things during their childhood. It's very liberating to realize that you don't really need all the things that you work so hard to buy and maintain and to find ways to live more simply, cheaply, and sustainably. After our power company raised rates by 49% this year, my husband and I started thinking harder than ever about how to reduce our electric bill. I finally convinced him that we should unplug our fridge for a month as an experiment, and we did it yesterday. So far, so good. We live in a fairly cold climate, so it seems silly to have a box inside our home that keeps things cool. We also eat a plant-based diet, so we don't have to worry about meat or dairy products, and we buy most of our perishable foods daily or harvest them from the garden right before we use them, so I'm confident that this is going to go well!
Hi, thanks for taking the time to comment.🥰 Hope it's still going ok without the fridge! I think it's good for us to question the things we do and decide for ourselves if we want to do things differently. 👍❤️
Another great solution to keeping perishable berries and even meat is drying. Indians did it just fine. There's videos demonstrating best way to cut raw meat into strips.
Been without a fridge or fridge freezer for about 18 months now. I found I was shopping to keep the fridge stocked but struggled to eat what I had bought. I shop for what I actually need now Rarely is anything wasted Food does taste much better.
Should be on a refrigerator magnet!😊 I agree though, my spouse grew up hungry and keeps the fridge stuffed. We tossed a regrettable amount of stuff to our chickens and compost pile. I prefer a rather empty one. I feel overwhelmed by large packages of meat especially.😮
Dig down to permafrost. Old time cold storage kept ice blocks with straw year round. Old time basement cellars that were dug through foundation and had a door. America got cushy. Line a room like that to enhance its cold temps even better. Permafrost level stays 45-50° year round. People smoked meat. Cost of living steadily inflated keeping us busy busy getting fiat.
I live in the subtropics Australia. At the moment there is a prediction of snow flurries at a place called Stanthorpe which is a few hours drive from here. There will be people packing up their children to go there for a chance to see snow. It doesn't happen every year. I'll be thinking of you and your permafrost next summer with envy. 😊
We live in America and when we bought our 1930 home the first thing we did was get rid of the dishwasher and the huge ugy fridge… the place where the dish washer was we placed a dorm fridge. It’s quiet and small enough that most people don’t even see it.. as far as our washer like you I hate the noise etc.. we wash all our clothes in a washtub with a washboard and wringer.. it’s nice and quiet and just peaceful to wash our clothes…
Yes, we Americans have to keep our eggs in the fridge due to pasteurization. But not as many things need to be in the fridge as we think. I also need a fridge because I make fresh vegetable chop for my birds and don’t want to have to make it every day.
@@glendabyford8074 I don't have a washer either, after moving my last one I decided to to without (they are not fun to move...) and go to the laundromat for big stuff. But I never did, it does not make sense to spend money that way: I use a five gallon bucket in the tub, after I shower I just put my clothes in the bucket and use my feet to agitate the clothes: it is great exercise and I get a foot soak/massage!
@@phyllisalderson6247I’ve bought an antique one and can see where it would be fairly easy to make one. Amish might actually make them and provide them for sale.
Never had a fridge till the 1970's managed very well, went shopping every day,bought what I needed, but then that is how we all lived, we had a cold slab in the cupboard under the stairs made of marble, and kept food really cool and set the jellies and kept the milk cool, which was also kept in a jug placed in a bowl of cold water with a little net cover with weights on over the top of the jug to stop anything getting in the milk and allowing the air to enter this was during the summer time same with the butter, all food was bought fresh and eaten he same day, no tummy upsets then.
Ha ha😂 I live in America and I don't have a fridge,what for? To spend more electric power? I conserve in cans, glass bottles, and buy what I need. Once a month, maybe you think is crazy. And maybe it is. But us think is very cool.😂
I live in West Africa. This year most days have reached 35°C. Many of my neighbours have fridges. The ones that don't shop every single day. I don't have time for that.
@gailcurl8663 Luck? Hell no. It's a lot of careful planning, sticking to that plan and hard work. I'm autistic, live alone on my homestead on the Texas prarie and have lived debt free for 20+ years. Call me Lucky, if you want. Just don't do it mockingly, please.
@@gailcurl8663luck has nothing to do with it! It's called making that choice of where you want to be and what you want to be doing and then just persevering until you make it happen!
Same here. I'm still experimenting with different preservation methods but did my first ever canning yesterday and it went well :) Getting some slaked lime next pay so we can start water-glassing our eggs :)
I love your top.....when I was a child (many many moons ago) people did not have fridges and had pantry's instead and no-one ever got food poisoning, etc my fridge/freezer was using up £15 a month.
I can't imagine not having a fridge at all, but I have decided that when mine goes, I'm going to replace it with a smaller, very basic model. Mine really has more space than needed. Like in the video, too many things get shoved to the back and eventually gets wasted.
@@simplerliving-annalgie We are replacing our fridge with a smaller one. Not as small as the ones we had in our apartments in Germany. My great grandmother only a hand pump at the kitchen sink. There was no other plumbing in the house. The outhouse was inside the chicken pen, due to the fear of snakes. Chickens and Guineas will kill and eat snakes.
I lived in a beautiful little 84sq ft travel trailer for 10 years. I had a very tiny fridge, but no freezer. I live in a larger travel trailer now with a freezer but it’s empty. I got so use to not having a freezer that I just don’t use one anymore.
We didn't have a fridge or freezer when I was a child and Mum kept the milk in a bucket of cold water and we had a brick larder with a large piece of marble slab and the butter, cheese and other items that needed to be kept cold used to be in lidded china containers on top of that and the slab was very cold. I have a brick larder now and when I get rid of my Mum's old broken down fridge freezer I'm going to buy a slab of marble, it will help keep the fruit and veg cold. Mum didn't buy a huge grocery shop for the six of us cos there were so many little shops in our town and we rarely went into the main town cos we had most of what we needed here and vans with a grocery shop inside so Mum's would queue up and give him their grocery list and it was all in draws. The baker used to come round with his big wicker square basket of cakes, bread and eggs and he used to flirt with my Mum. The milkman delivered actual whole milk with the cream on top but now it's all watered down.
I also don't have a fridge. Once you learn how much truly doesn't have to be refrigerated along with alternative ways of prolonging shelf life, it really makes life so much simpler and cost efficient. You also rethink your food choices. You wind up eating healthier.
@@FreeToBe_Me They ate fresh from the berries, nuts and seeds collected from the land as they went about their daily lives and meat from goanna's and kangaroo's or fish they caught. It would be great to go back to simplicity
I haven’t had a fridge or freezer for two years and I agree that the noise is a good enough reason to not get one. Also there are MANY foods that say they’re supposed to be refrigerated that absolutely don’t need refrigeration, as our host points out. My nose tells me if something is still good to eat or not. Life can be made much more enjoyable and simple by using what you have and using common sense. Thank you for sharing this. 👏👏👏😇✝️😇👏👏👏
I too live without a fridge. The one little drawback is open cans of cat and dog food that go bad quickly. Have to use it all up in one day. But that is just a super hot weather problem, in the winter, the cans go out on the window sill, same for cheese. I love not having a fridge. Thank you for the encouragement!
I had the same problem until I found "Honest Kitchen" dehydrated cat food, My cats only like the chicken one. It's healthy food, human grade. It was also very helpful with my older cats with kidney disease, they loved it and the protein levels are not bad.
Ive suggested people opt for a smaller fridge but people would rather complain about money and live stressed out lives… not that that one change would alleviate all stress… but as part of a bigger set of changes. I’m going off grid. Supposed to close on a place tommorrow. I’ve gone way past the need for ice and a fridge, in my mind… but, I’m about to face the reality!
I didn't have a fridge for several months but I returned. Thinking about returning to this state. I'm mostly on a raw diet, so it's not me who needs a fridge at home. You inspired me again!
You are so right about jars in back of fridge. I do use a fridge. But I am cleaning it and tossing. And I am buying less food. I’m a woman who loves living alone. But I still cook like I am cooking for 4. So I’m going to figure recipes out etc. so no waste.
it’s entirely too hot here in Georgia to not have a fridge. Also there is no way with my health that I could go to the store daily or even weekly, plus the fact that buying smaller portions is very expensive
Really interesting. I hate my fridge. Stuff pushed to the back; things piled on top of things…. At the moment there are no options as we have very limited space to use as an alternative but lots to think about. Thank you.
It’s not “different” at all it’s practical/independent not merely paying huge sums to an undermining monopoly that tries to make out to the developing brain that it’s normal in an effort to normalize everything quickly so that independence never occurs to the brain. No different than all those kids streaming music online it never occurs to them they have to be plugged in. No different than a queen buying a wafflemaker for her grandson rather than taking him fishing.
The front of your dress doesn’t fit right and has a weird tuck right where you need fullness. The sound of a refrigerator isn’t a big deal. Your window unit, washing machine, etc. make noise. Your neighbor giving you ice is helpful. In the old days they had ice boxes. You need to get an Igloo and put some ice in it so you can have something cold to drink and for your butter, milk and fruit and fruit juice.
When I retired, I bought a small house, and the smallest fridge I could find. I don't live within walking distance of the market, but I do have a well, and a hillside I could dig into. You've put some good ideas in my head - thanks!
Nice video! I got rid of my fridge 18months ago. Living on a boat, with old batteries and I found I was spending way too much money running the engine to keep the batteries charged…. Just for the fridge! Got new batteries and got rid of the fridge. Now I’m just doing little shopping and often. Eating fresh food and I’m loving it
This was quite eye-opening! You have inspired me to question even more things...I’ve noticed for a long while how restaurants never refrigerate their catsup/ketchup! Only 1 other person I know questioned that. So much healthier for you, as well. I’m very happy for you & your husband! I’d love to be able to do this, myself! Great job! Love from the US! Thank you, again! ♥️🙌🏼
Hi! Just found you! You popped up in my suggestions. Loved your video and will admit to having binge watched a few more! I have subscribed and am looking forward to watching more. I’ve never quilted but always wanted to, but thought you needed a sewing machine! I’m Mo from Lincolnshire U.K. xx
Hi Mo, lovely to 'meet' you. Quilting/patchwork is so relaxing and easy. You can do it with a machine, but I enjoy doing it by hand. (Slow, but enjoyable 😊).
I have been without a fridge for about 5 years now, and I live in the tropics with temperatures pushing 40 degrees most of the year. Like you it was initially due to circumstance.. Old fridge died and no resources for a new one. By the time I was in a position to consider replacement I had become accustomed to not having one, and found many advantages. As a single man it stops me storing and eating left overs or produce that is far less than fresh. I am in an urban environment so I simply buy by the day. Time consuming but the daily trip to market is a walk out and social contact which is enjoyed. I used to think I couldn't drink water that wasn't cold, but have found at ambient temperature it relieves thirst better, and tastes fuller. We get so stuck in doing things by "the norm' we often cannot see the benefits of a different way.
Very envious of those that can live without a fridge. Summer in the desert in Australia with 48 deg C days means even though I am vegetarian l still need the fridge.
There is a video somewhere with Bill Mollison, a permaculture expert, showing a house in Australia with a central area which is fridge temperature by using natural air flow. Not sure how this would compare in the desert area but there are plenty of hot countries with towers which work the same way.
I lived without a refrigerator for 5 years, but I did have a small freezer. I'm still learning, but I learned alot just by scouring the grocery store aisles for shelf-stable items. 🛒🛍 Sacramento, California USA 🇺🇸
I live in France too and have just a few solar panels for lighting and recharging electronics. I have a 12v cool box but only turn it on when its really hot. If I want a cool drink I've usually got some bottles and cans sitting in a bucket of cold water in a cool spot. 😁
I'm appreciative of your video and also the way that you share ideas - suggestions and curiosity rather than my way or the highway. Our world would flourish with more of that. My husband and I have been living without a fridge for about 4 months, originally out of circumstance but now I like it and I know both taste and digestion are supported by having things either at room temperature or warm. Not all bacteria are bad and my hunch is that there may be a protective effect of having food out of the fridge in terms of pre and/or probiotic bacteria. We will see how the summer goes, it gets really hot and humid here. I'm looking forward to experiments with preservation.
I’ve lived off grid in the mountains and on an island in the Pacific. Didn’t need or miss refrigeration or freezing. We’ve been sold a story of what we need to be happy that isn’t actually factual. Thank you so much for this video!
Happy coincidence I found your video. I live in a small open plan house and the noise is always there. Over the past 6yrs I've gradually gotten rid of my counter top freezer, my oven broke but hob works, threw out my microwave after it had been on 2mins and a spider crawled out when I opened the door and now my under counter fridge has a small freezer section which is worryingly compacted so that is going in a few days. I like my air fryer and slow cooker. It's amazing what you can do without. Really appreciate this video. I'm tempted to get a small counter top mini fridge as I'm at that age in life lol.. Or none at all.. 🤔 Best wishes...
Neat perspective but also while you don't have a fridge you are relying on the stores fridge so you can buy the small amounts of things every day that do require cold temps. So the dependence is still there, just a step further away.
Thanks for commenting. I take your point. The things I buy from the shop fridge are yoghurt, cheese and butter. It would be possible to live without these If necessary, but I enjoy them. 🥰 I suppose it's one less fridge manufactured and using electricity and there's something nice about walking to our local shop and seeing people. I realise from all the comments what different situations we all live in, both in terms of location and our families. I had a fridge when my children were young and freezers can be great for storing garden produce. I just think it's all gone a bit crazy in terms of the size and number of fridges and freezers we have these days. I might make an update video. Thanks again. 👍🥰
@@simplerliving-annalgie Have you looked into mesophilic yogurts? You can make these yourself at room temp and they would be better suited to room temp storage as the bacteria would only strengthen vs weaken like the thermophilic varieties sold at the store 😊
@@sheisofthewoods No, I haven't but it sounds like a great idea. I have a friend who was making a huge amount of natural yoghurt the other day - not sure if this is the same thing, but I'll look into it 'cos I love natural yoghurt and greek yoghurt. I've never experienced any problems with them up to now though. thanks.
I have a small chest fridge that I run off of my solar array which I own (been off grid for many years). I turn it off overnight since it holds the cold, and even in warm weather, it keeps everything chilled. In the winter, I just put everything in a cooler on the porch and fridge is off. You really don't need a big fridge for just one person, but I miss endless ice!
So many people ruin the flavor of their produce by refrigerating things that never need it. Your local grocery store only refrigerates foods that need it and you can tell which is which by looking at where they have it in the store.
I unplugged my fridge the last two winters and stored my food in the unplugged fridge in the shed. Now I just moved and it's warmer so it's plugged in again. But I really want to unplug it.. because I feel like it would change my diet in a positive way and it saves on money and space and sometimes the buzzing, although I have a small fridge :) People always look at me weird when I say I unplugged it. Same when I said I didn't have a couch (for about a year). And still I want to do it :)
Thanks for your comment. I like the idea of unplugging the fridge but continuing to use it like a cupboard.😂 We did that in our campervan. It's good to do what we want to do regardless of others thinking it's weird.😅
Live your own life and you will have fewer regrets. ;-) I get that look when I tell people (I know) that I only shower once a week. You can wash up without a shower and our ancestors (depending on where they lived) often only bathed annually. I don't think I've ever heard my refrigerator NOT running. I'm constantly checking to see if a door is open.
We have no sofa, no bed (sleeping on an amber and mustard seed filled thin matress on the floor), no washing machine, no car...all by choice and health is better for those choices...now considering ditching the fridges! 😁 Happy days🎉
This was interesting. As I turned my new fridge / freezer on today I noticed the doors even tell you how long things keep for. Im all for a sniff and a look to see if it’s ok but Paul will throw anything past it’s date. It’s so strange how much emphasis is put on dates etc which encourages waste and throwing perfectly good food. Really sad when so many go without.
I think it's crazy Samantha, especially as you say because it leads to lots of unnecessary waste. So much of this stuff is common sense. Look at it, smell it, taste a tiny bit of it. If you're not happy - don't eat it. If you use things up regularly you don't end up with lots of bits and pieces of food 'going off'. When you don't have a fridge you only keep left over food for an extra day - rarely it goes into a third day. We have never in 11 years had any form of food poisoning. (Oh dear I'll probably get ill now!) 🤣
I have started cooking so there’s no leftovers, because my family was not eating the leftovers. Too much waste was accumulating every week! Now our fridge is almost empty! I can completely see how freeing no fridge could be! Thank you for sharing your tips!
@@simplerliving-annalgie thank you, but I came to it out of the necessity to manage 3 children while having adhd. No fridge could be very adhd friendly!
Thank you so much for this video! I have been without a fridge for about two years and I loved the silence! About a month ago I found a little one at a garage sale for $20 to have it just in case and because everybody I know thinks it is weird not having one. I think I will unplug it, the noise is just not worth it, I basically keep only frozen meals and fruit for smoothies inside it. One fun thing that happened without the fridge is that I accidentalky made really good coconut yogurt by forgetting the milk in cold water on the kitchen counter overnight ( I usually put it outside at night).
Thanks for taking the time to comment Eleonora - I love hearing about other people's experiences. I find that natural yoghurt keeps perfectly well for several weeks in our cool kitchen. Ketchup, mayonnaise is also fine. ❤
I can't stand a noisey fridge. My last apartment an older apartment size fridge no noise. New apartment with larger and brand new fridge noise and vibration. Open space concept also doesn’t help as heard in kitchen and livingroom area. I know electricity is not good for our health. Bed should be away from electrical plug-ins.
I'm getting there with noisy fridges! Had one in my house for years and bought a newer one and its noiser! Not sure whether it was the 2 fridges or my age-getting older. But I'm wanting to do away. A step at a time and doing more food preserves all the time
@@skylarsartnphotography3450 When I bought my swamp cooler I realized appliances have noise ratings, they were helpful. Also, will be looking into acoustic panels...Trying to learn to ferment foods, love the taste and so much better for our health... Interesting info about open concept!
Yes! I too have been living without using a fridge for years. We didn't have fridges in the past and we managed fine. It depends on what kind of home you are living in, though.
@@angelinasouren Not that here. I have no mortgage but I'm living on $785 and property is $400. Before you judge pause. Wealthy folks are in over their heads with debt and stand to lose it all. People cannot believe what's coming. "You will own nothing and be happy." You think that's joking? I'm looking at my debris wood with new eyes. Village no longer takes it to slash cost.
@@angelinasouren Drying, canning, smoking meat. If I had a one bed apt or even studio that's where I'd put it. Size and glamor is nothing. Priorities are everything. People did all these things in former times coz they had to and having to is back.
My grandpa told me that in his youth, when people didnt have a refrigerator, they would put a silver dollar into the jug of milk/cream and leave it in a shady spot inside. Silver is a natural and harmless way to kill bacteria, and it prevented it from spoiling in the heat. my family still uses it today to extend the shelf life of dairy even when it's in the fridge, but i would reccomend using a pure silver coin dated before 2012, as that was when they started coating the silver coins to prevent tarnishing
Modern fridges and freezers don't make noise and the electricity they use is negligible. Your experience is interesting but I would never do that unless forced into it. I'm on my own with my dogs and cats and I have a large fridge and 2 separate freezers all full of meat, fish, butter, cheese, fruit and veg. It allows you to buy bigger quantities when price is lower. If you don't have a fridge and a freezer you have to buy little and often and that makes it more expensive. Same for other minimalistic tendencies like very small houses, eventually you spend more money and waste time because you have no storage space. So I would be against minimalism. It brings more problems and expenses than it solves. I also like well chilled stuff especially in the summer. I wouldn't be without air conditioning too. Summers are hot and not worth suffering if you can avoid it. Also same goes for my animals.
Hi Sarah, hope it works for you - it will be interesting to give it a try - just switch the fridge off and see how it goes. You may find you only need it for a few weeks in the summer. I find here that there are about 6 weeks in the middle of summer each year where it crosses my mind that maybe I should have a fridge after all, but before I know it we're into cooler weather again. Enjoy the challenge and let me know how you get on.
I don't have a fridge. I waste a lot of food. I'm solo and tiny. I can only eat small portions. I can't keep leftovers with the risk of food poisoning. It's sinful to me. And it's really expensive. ~ 🦋
I live off grid and we do not use refrigeration. I feel that it is Just to risking, If for some reason you lose powor your freezer goes out, you will lose all that food. I'm just not willing to take that chance. So when I have excess meat, I slow smoke Ito preserve it and I've never had it. Go bad. And sometimes I will can't like I do my access vegetables from the garden.
Thanks for your comment. It can be expensive if the power goes off and I think most people know someone it has happened to - like you say that's more of a risk with freezers.🥰
@lisaball2760 It's very simple.I do everything the primitive way, I built a small smokehouse using blocks. Make sure it's tall eto where the heat to your food. But the smoke does and let the smoke cook. It also also, it's very important that you choose the proper wood. I personally I'd like to use oakwood because it is abundant, Also If I can find it I'd love using Citrus tree wood and Pecan tree wood. It also helps a lot if you salt the meat To pull the moisture out Of the meat. Ask for me as a prepper.I noticed that most preppers do not put enough salt back. You need to have a lot of salt put back For hard times.
We dont have electric or water on our property. The one and only solar panel quit working. No fridge here. Yes i know about the things you mentioned as not needing a fridge. I use powdered milk also. I buy a whole milk powder and it is awesome in taste. It can be done. We have two 55 gallon water barrels that a friend fills for us. We dont have a vehicle either.
I trying to get the spouse to give up the freezer😂😂😂😂😂. I’m starting to dry veggies, fruits and casserole dishes. Yes casseroles. Initially for backpacking, but now dehydrating leftovers instead of freezing. Fermentation is another thing I’m doing now, for better gut health and no fridge.😊
Interesting video, thank you, Ann. When you say you have a cool house, what temperature range are you talking about? What are the summer temperatures that change the way you manage your food supply? Having a cool, stable temperature would certainly make the concept easier. I'm in coastal New Zealand with a Mediterranean climate. My house is wooden, bare rafters (no ceiling) with a tin roof, and uninsulated. The temperatures indoors at any time of year can fluctuate by 13 degrees in 12 hours. I'm puzzled by your reference to ice and icecream being kept in a fridge. We keep icecream in the freezer (which may be a separate cupboard above or below the fridge compartment, or a completely separate unit), otherwise it goes soft and runny. Ice stays frozen when stored in freezers in New Zealand. I wonder if your reference to "fridge" was inclusive of freezer?
Our ancestors lived without fridges. If they did it and somehow were able to keep the human species alive, so can we in the 21st century and further into the future.
Texas is almost impossible to live without a Fridge uggg.. its so hot but you can use Ghee for Butter and it can be done ... Love your video Thanks for sharing..
My mum had a cold slab in the pantry to keep things cold.in summer a earthenware vessel filled with cold water had the milk bottles keeping cold, and a mesh doored cupboard called a meat safe to keep flies off.xxxxx🐝🐝🇬🇧🇬🇧🐝
Yes, it does not have to be complicated. There are many places where people don't have fridges and like you say some of our parents and certainly grandparents didn't have them.
We use a cooler for our milk, cream and a few other things. We tried running our fridge last summer, couldn't do it. Recently, we brought our freezer up (we share land with a few others, and they have power down where they are) thinking we ought to be able to run that due to the greater efficiency, right? Until heatwave... the contents started thawing overnight when we have to turn the freezer off, so I've been experimenting with salt meat and yesterday I canned up a bunch of pork and fish, first time canning :)
I have a small fridge. Like a British style that fits under the counter. A lot of people don't understand it. I can't put in 3 or 4 months of food, but, I'm not going to be GETTING 3 or 4 months of food at a time, anyway.
im prepping with that plan in mind. having come from CA where it is common to shut off the power over any little thing. my mother grew up as a farm woman in the depression. they canned their meats and veggies. and yes it would be a savings... and a consistency. as government plays games with us.
@@carollynt I lived there until 66.yrs. never in my life until the last few years did I see it turned off for "winds". and my last 10 years in CA I worked grocery stores. the level of food destruction and loss was a regular hit. every few months.
You csn use a french butter crock to keep butter on the bench, if you use too much cold water the butter is hard like it came out of the fridge even on a warm day
Unfortunately I eat meat...been living without a fridge due to living in a tent for 7 months now...I use cream...in coffee which lasts a few days... sausages and meat lasts 2 days ok...but just means buying food every 2 days...must admit it would be nice to buy bulk once a week and freeze...but going off grid in the next couple of weeks...it has a small fridge but no freezer...
Interesting. We use our fridge and freezer. We consume what we purchase because we purchase only what we will consume. We lived in an underdeveloped country for a few years and had no steady electricity, so our fridge was not used. We shopped daily for our food at a local market. It's easy to adapt when you have an open mind and are flexible. It benefits humans to learn to live in abundance and also in scarcity since we never know when our circumstances may change. I think Covid was a good example...as are natural disasters around the world. Thank you for your vlog.
Hi, thanks for your great comment. I agree about the importance of adaptability - COVID showed us how quickly things can change even in a developed country.
She does not need a fridge because she does not eat whatever needs the fridge! Well, this is not an option for everybody Buying on a daily basics is….expensive
Thanks for your comment. It is easier for us because we're vegetarian, but many poor people in the world don't have fridges and it is possible to save money as you tend to waste less. There is also a small saving in electricity, but you're right it's not for everyone.🥰 We each choose what works best for us.
I live in a house in Abruzzo Italy built in the 1690's and it is so interesting how this house was strategically positioned to facilitate adriatic airflow to cool the house off at night with no air conditioning. These are genius energy free cooling methods that do not even get considered at all with modern building. That we have lost the art of orientation for air flow is such a shame.
@@BrittanyCocchino I would love to hear the details if you can, I need info for when I will make changes to the house. Thanks!🌸
Thanks for commenting and yes our house built in the 1600s I think his perfectly positioned to make the most of the direction of the sun and no windows on the north side - it gets cold here in winter. They knew what they were doing when they built these houses.👍🥰
We got so occupied with controlling the environment and making money that we made things more complicated than they need to be (and to be honest, a lot of it is just so people can make money)
Yes, that has got to be wonderful
Springhouse (can do it with small barrel of water underground) small pump with solar. Put clay jars down in the water.
It was the way that my grandparents lived back in the early sixties. They used kerosene lamps for lights at night and cooked on a wood stove. The house was always comfortable during the hot muggy summers because the doors and windows were left open at night while it was cool out. Granny worked hard to put up or to prepare foods for storage by ( canning ) everything they grew in the garden. They have us a wonderful time of it. We worked hard to de-weed, chop, carried well water, pulled weeds and picked abd shelled beans and we learned to love rural country life taking the best naps when it was hot and muggy. There was absolutely nothing missing in our lives. Today people look upon living like this as poverty but we were truly rich and content to be well fed and safe. I enjoy your content, subbed for more. 🍃💚
Thanks for your interesting comment - sounds amazing. X❤
Kerosene stinks.
I can't recall a stink as you say but definitely a signature scent as it is a petroleum by product. Be Well 🙏🏽✨
I agree. All these kids “living off grid” with their solar panels think they are roughing it.
We have solar panels but as it is not very reliable we still learn how to live without it
Wonderful video! I've been thinking about getting rid of my fridge for years. My mother grew up without electricity or running water, and before she passed away I spent years interviewing her and her older brother about how they did things during their childhood. It's very liberating to realize that you don't really need all the things that you work so hard to buy and maintain and to find ways to live more simply, cheaply, and sustainably. After our power company raised rates by 49% this year, my husband and I started thinking harder than ever about how to reduce our electric bill. I finally convinced him that we should unplug our fridge for a month as an experiment, and we did it yesterday. So far, so good. We live in a fairly cold climate, so it seems silly to have a box inside our home that keeps things cool. We also eat a plant-based diet, so we don't have to worry about meat or dairy products, and we buy most of our perishable foods daily or harvest them from the garden right before we use them, so I'm confident that this is going to go well!
Hi, thanks for taking the time to comment.🥰 Hope it's still going ok without the fridge! I think it's good for us to question the things we do and decide for ourselves if we want to do things differently. 👍❤️
My fridge used to cost me about 15$ a month in electricity...
Very nice. I personally would keep a mini fridge on hand. Beer, and a few other items I may not want cold..Good luck
@@atlanticalillyI was thinking the same they could just have a little one that would only pull maybe 40 watts.
Another great solution to keeping perishable berries and even meat is drying. Indians did it just fine. There's videos demonstrating best way to cut raw meat into strips.
Been without a fridge or fridge freezer for about 18 months now. I found I was shopping to keep the fridge stocked but struggled to eat what I had bought. I shop for what I actually need now Rarely is anything wasted Food does taste much better.
Makes sense now that you said it.
Should be on a refrigerator magnet!😊 I agree though, my spouse grew up hungry and keeps the fridge stuffed. We tossed a regrettable amount of stuff to our chickens and compost pile. I prefer a rather empty one. I feel overwhelmed by large packages of meat especially.😮
Dig down to permafrost. Old time cold storage kept ice blocks with straw year round. Old time basement cellars that were dug through foundation and had a door. America got cushy. Line a room like that to enhance its cold temps even better. Permafrost level stays 45-50° year round. People smoked meat. Cost of living steadily inflated keeping us busy busy getting fiat.
Our crawlspace holds those temperatures.
Where she lives there is no permafrost.
I live in the subtropics Australia. At the moment there is a prediction of snow flurries at a place called Stanthorpe which is a few hours drive from here. There will be people packing up their children to go there for a chance to see snow. It doesn't happen every year. I'll be thinking of you and your permafrost next summer with envy. 😊
We live in America and when we bought our 1930 home the first thing we did was get rid of the dishwasher and the huge ugy fridge… the place where the dish washer was we placed a dorm fridge. It’s quiet and small enough that most people don’t even see it.. as far as our washer like you I hate the noise etc.. we wash all our clothes in a washtub with a washboard and wringer.. it’s nice and quiet and just peaceful to wash our clothes…
Sounds lovely ❤. 😊
Yes, we Americans have to keep our eggs in the fridge due to pasteurization. But not as many things need to be in the fridge as we think. I also need a fridge because I make fresh vegetable chop for my birds and don’t want to have to make it every day.
@@CuteBirdAwarenessLeague we don’t keep our eggs in the fridge because we have farm fresh eggs and as long as the bloom is intact they are good..
@@glendabyford8074 I meant people who use the grocery store
@@glendabyford8074 I don't have a washer either, after moving my last one I decided to to without (they are not fun to move...) and go to the laundromat for big stuff. But I never did, it does not make sense to spend money that way: I use a five gallon bucket in the tub, after I shower I just put my clothes in the bucket and use my feet to agitate the clothes: it is great exercise and I get a foot soak/massage!
Grew up in Pa, amish country. No elec, minimal running water. Icebox in summer. Enjoyed yer content.
Me too! :)
can ya buy a ice box ???
@@phyllisalderson6247I’ve bought an antique one and can see where it would be fairly easy to make one. Amish might actually make them and provide them for sale.
Never had a fridge till the 1970's managed very well, went shopping every day,bought what I needed, but then that is how we all lived, we had a cold slab in the cupboard under the stairs made of marble, and kept food really cool and set the jellies and kept the milk cool, which was also kept in a jug placed in a bowl of cold water with a little net cover with weights on over the top of the jug to stop anything getting in the milk and allowing the air to enter this was during the summer time same with the butter, all food was bought fresh and eaten he same day, no tummy upsets then.
People in the Amazon and in Africa live without fridges.
Ha ha😂 I live in America and I don't have a fridge,what for? To spend more electric power?
I conserve in cans, glass bottles, and buy what I need.
Once a month, maybe you think is crazy. And maybe it is. But us think is very cool.😂
Wish I could, but in Arizona, I don't think it is possible.
@@jml238 maybe you can't, is to hot. Arizona is so beautiful, enjoy the beauty and please take care.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I live in South Africa. It gets very hot here in summer and we all have fridges and sometimes even air conditioners.
I live in West Africa. This year most days have reached 35°C. Many of my neighbours have fridges. The ones that don't shop every single day. I don't have time for that.
I forgot about dried milk!! very inspiring to live without a frig!
I eat only shelf-stable meat, eggs & cook with ghee. I pressure can, smoke, dehydrate & salt meats to keep them fresh. I raise my own meat & eggs.
Thanks for your comment. Great you mention other ways of preserving food too.🥰
Aren't You the Lucky One!! Are we Gloating Here Much??
@gailcurl8663
Luck? Hell no. It's a lot of careful planning, sticking to that plan and hard work. I'm autistic, live alone on my homestead on the Texas prarie and have lived debt free for 20+ years.
Call me Lucky, if you want. Just don't do it mockingly, please.
@@gailcurl8663luck has nothing to do with it! It's called making that choice of where you want to be and what you want to be doing and then just persevering until you make it happen!
Same here. I'm still experimenting with different preservation methods but did my first ever canning yesterday and it went well :) Getting some slaked lime next pay so we can start water-glassing our eggs :)
I love your top.....when I was a child (many many moons ago) people did not have fridges and had pantry's instead and no-one ever got food poisoning, etc my fridge/freezer was using up £15 a month.
I can't imagine not having a fridge at all, but I have decided that when mine goes, I'm going to replace it with a smaller, very basic model. Mine really has more space than needed. Like in the video, too many things get shoved to the back and eventually gets wasted.
Thanks for commenting. Little fridge idea sounds perfect.👍
@@simplerliving-annalgie
We are replacing our fridge with a smaller one. Not as small as the ones we had in our apartments in Germany.
My great grandmother only a hand pump at the kitchen sink. There was no other plumbing in the house. The outhouse was inside the chicken pen, due to the fear of snakes. Chickens and Guineas will kill and eat snakes.
Thanks for communicating Teresa. Great idea.❤
I had a little fridge for several years. I now have a large one and I fully empty it every week….but then we are a family of 8.
Thanks for commenting. Sounds like a smaller one will work great for you. 🥰
Great video and greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪👍🏻👋
I ve learn a lot from the Sami native people here. They dry and smoke their Renmeat and keep it for years.
Wow, that's amazing. 👍🥰
When we lived off grid we had a pantry that was on and vented to the shaded side of the house. It kept everything fridge temperature,no problem.
I lived in a beautiful little 84sq ft travel trailer for 10 years. I had a very tiny fridge, but no freezer. I live in a larger travel trailer now with a freezer but it’s empty. I got so use to not having a freezer that I just don’t use one anymore.
It's funny how we can get used to not having things that we grew up thinking were essential. Thanks for your comment.😊
We didn't have a fridge or freezer when I was a child and Mum kept the milk in a bucket of cold water and we had a brick larder with a large piece of marble slab and the butter, cheese and other items that needed to be kept cold used to be in lidded china containers on top of that and the slab was very cold. I have a brick larder now and when I get rid of my Mum's old broken down fridge freezer I'm going to buy a slab of marble, it will help keep the fruit and veg cold. Mum didn't buy a huge grocery shop for the six of us cos there were so many little shops in our town and we rarely went into the main town cos we had most of what we needed here and vans with a grocery shop inside so Mum's would queue up and give him their grocery list and it was all in draws. The baker used to come round with his big wicker square basket of cakes, bread and eggs and he used to flirt with my Mum. The milkman delivered actual whole milk with the cream on top but now it's all watered down.
GET A SOLAR PANEL SPECIFICALLY FOR THE FRIDGE….IT’S WELL WORTH IT.😅
I also don't have a fridge. Once you learn how much truly doesn't have to be refrigerated along with alternative ways of prolonging shelf life, it really makes life so much simpler and cost efficient. You also rethink your food choices. You wind up eating healthier.
Thanks for your comment Kathleen, lovely to hear from others that manage perfectly well without a fridge 👍
Hi I'm 20 and starting to live alone :) I don't have a fridge, could you please give me some tips 😊
I'm in Australia. Fantastic concept except our temperatures are going to go up to 40 in the summer
Hmmm that's a real challenge.🙄
What did the aborigines do?
@@FreeToBe_Me They ate fresh from the berries, nuts and seeds collected from the land as they went about their daily lives and meat from goanna's and kangaroo's or fish they caught. It would be great to go back to simplicity
You could plug it in the summer season for ice and preserving food, and unplug during Winter season and use it just as a food cabinet
Yes, very challenging. Thanks for commenting.🥰
The children need knowledge like this.
Back to basic. Self reliance. Less stress on enviroment
I haven’t had a fridge or freezer for two years and I agree that the noise is a good enough reason to not get one.
Also there are MANY foods that say they’re supposed to be refrigerated that absolutely don’t need refrigeration, as our host points out.
My nose tells me if something is still good to eat or not.
Life can be made much more enjoyable and simple by using what you have and using common sense.
Thank you for sharing this.
👏👏👏😇✝️😇👏👏👏
Thanks 👍🥰
I too live without a fridge. The one little drawback is open cans of cat and dog food that go bad quickly. Have to use it all up in one day. But that is just a super hot weather problem, in the winter, the cans go out on the window sill, same for cheese. I love not having a fridge. Thank you for the encouragement!
Thank you for your encouragement too! (We only have hens - so not a problem there!)
I had the same problem until I found "Honest Kitchen" dehydrated cat food, My cats only like the chicken one. It's healthy food, human grade. It was also very helpful with my older cats with kidney disease, they loved it and the protein levels are not bad.
Ive suggested people opt for a smaller fridge but people would rather complain about money and live stressed out lives… not that that one change would alleviate all stress… but as part of a bigger set of changes. I’m going off grid. Supposed to close on a place tommorrow. I’ve gone way past the need for ice and a fridge, in my mind… but, I’m about to face the reality!
I didn't have a fridge for several months but I returned. Thinking about returning to this state. I'm mostly on a raw diet, so it's not me who needs a fridge at home. You inspired me again!
Thanks for your comment. 🥰
You are so right about jars in back of fridge. I do use a fridge. But I am cleaning it and tossing. And I am buying less food. I’m a woman who loves living alone. But I still cook like I am cooking for 4. So I’m going to figure recipes out etc. so no waste.
All sounds great 👍. Thanks for commenting. 🥰
Not for me. I'll keep my big, beautiful American fridge/freezer. But to each their own.
Yes, each to their own. 🥰
it’s entirely too hot here in Georgia to not have a fridge. Also there is no way with my health that I could go to the store daily or even weekly, plus the fact that buying smaller portions is very expensive
I travel, camp and haven't had a fridge for years. I learned all kinds of ways to keep food.
I still use my (small) fridge but I switched off my freezer 18 months ago to save energy. It works well. I‘m canning and drying food.
In Africa they have Zeer pots to keep produce cool. There is a video on YT showing them
Really interesting. I hate my fridge. Stuff pushed to the back; things piled on top of things…. At the moment there are no options as we have very limited space to use as an alternative but lots to think about. Thank you.
If you would keep the Fridge Organized and Clean, there wouldn't be any problems like you mentioned. Ain't Life Tuff!!
It’s not “different” at all it’s practical/independent not merely paying huge sums to an undermining monopoly that tries to make out to the developing brain that it’s normal in an effort to normalize everything quickly so that independence never occurs to the brain. No different than all those kids streaming music online it never occurs to them they have to be plugged in. No different than a queen buying a wafflemaker for her grandson rather than taking him fishing.
The front of your dress doesn’t fit right and has a weird tuck right where you need fullness.
The sound of a refrigerator isn’t a big deal. Your window unit, washing machine, etc. make noise.
Your neighbor giving you ice is helpful.
In the old days they had ice boxes. You need to get an Igloo and put some ice in it so you can have something cold to drink and for your butter, milk and fruit and fruit juice.
When I retired, I bought a small house, and the smallest fridge I could find. I don't live within walking distance of the market, but I do have a well, and a hillside I could dig into. You've put some good ideas in my head - thanks!
Electric bill for a month $120 and i have AC, fridge. Didnt realize everyones bills so high.
Nice video! I got rid of my fridge 18months ago. Living on a boat, with old batteries and I found I was spending way too much money running the engine to keep the batteries charged…. Just for the fridge!
Got new batteries and got rid of the fridge. Now I’m just doing little shopping and often. Eating fresh food and I’m loving it
Thanks for your comment. You sound very happy without your fridge! 👍🥰
Great video for campers and motor homers
This was quite eye-opening! You have inspired me to question even more things...I’ve noticed for a long while how restaurants never refrigerate their catsup/ketchup! Only 1 other person I know questioned that. So much healthier for you, as well. I’m very happy for you & your husband! I’d love to be able to do this, myself! Great job! Love from the US! Thank you, again! ♥️🙌🏼
Thanks Nick for your lovely comment. I really like the idea of us questioning things - nothing major, just thinking for ourselves. Have a great day.🥰
@@simplerliving-annalgiethank you! And have a great evening. 🌜💫✨
In such a happy state chatting with us about this. Vegetarian helps.
Hi! Just found you! You popped up in my suggestions. Loved your video and will admit to having binge watched a few more! I have subscribed and am looking forward to watching more. I’ve never quilted but always wanted to, but thought you needed a sewing machine! I’m Mo from Lincolnshire U.K. xx
Hi Mo, lovely to 'meet' you. Quilting/patchwork is so relaxing and easy. You can do it with a machine, but I enjoy doing it by hand. (Slow, but enjoyable 😊).
Just think of all those beautiful historic quilts that were made by hand - no sewing machine!
California doesn't have that luxury, it's just to hot,
I have been without a fridge for about 5 years now, and I live in the tropics with temperatures pushing 40 degrees most of the year.
Like you it was initially due to circumstance.. Old fridge died and no resources for a new one. By the time I was in a position to consider replacement I had become accustomed to not having one, and found many advantages.
As a single man it stops me storing and eating left overs or produce that is far less than fresh. I am in an urban environment so I simply buy by the day. Time consuming but the daily trip to market is a walk out and social contact which is enjoyed.
I used to think I couldn't drink water that wasn't cold, but have found at ambient temperature it relieves thirst better, and tastes fuller.
We get so stuck in doing things by "the norm' we often cannot see the benefits of a different way.
Very envious of those that can live without a fridge. Summer in the desert in Australia with 48 deg C days means even though I am vegetarian l still need the fridge.
Oh wow! That is hot on a different level! 🌞
There is a video somewhere with Bill Mollison, a permaculture expert, showing a house in Australia with a central area which is fridge temperature by using natural air flow. Not sure how this would compare in the desert area but there are plenty of hot countries with towers which work the same way.
I lived without a refrigerator for 5 years, but I did have a small freezer. I'm still learning, but I learned alot just by scouring the grocery store aisles for shelf-stable items. 🛒🛍 Sacramento, California USA 🇺🇸
Thanks for your comment Annie, nice knowing where you're from too. 😊
Perfect topic. I downsized to small fridge, but realized I don't even need that.
Brill!👍
I live in France too and have just a few solar panels for lighting and recharging electronics. I have a 12v cool box but only turn it on when its really hot. If I want a cool drink I've usually got some bottles and cans sitting in a bucket of cold water in a cool spot. 😁
Sounds great, thank you for commenting.👍🥰
I'm appreciative of your video and also the way that you share ideas - suggestions and curiosity rather than my way or the highway. Our world would flourish with more of that. My husband and I have been living without a fridge for about 4 months, originally out of circumstance but now I like it and I know both taste and digestion are supported by having things either at room temperature or warm. Not all bacteria are bad and my hunch is that there may be a protective effect of having food out of the fridge in terms of pre and/or probiotic bacteria. We will see how the summer goes, it gets really hot and humid here. I'm looking forward to experiments with preservation.
Hi, thanks for your comment - most appreciated.🥰 Good luck with your 'lack of fridge' journey too.
I’ve lived off grid in the mountains and on an island in the Pacific. Didn’t need or miss refrigeration or freezing. We’ve been sold a story of what we need to be happy that isn’t actually factual. Thank you so much for this video!
Thank YOU for your comment. 🥰
Happy coincidence I found your video. I live in a small open plan house and the noise is always there. Over the past 6yrs I've gradually gotten rid of my counter top freezer, my oven broke but hob works, threw out my microwave after it had been on 2mins and a spider crawled out when I opened the door and now my under counter fridge has a small freezer section which is worryingly compacted so that is going in a few days. I like my air fryer and slow cooker. It's amazing what you can do without. Really appreciate this video. I'm tempted to get a small counter top mini fridge as I'm at that age in life lol.. Or none at all.. 🤔 Best wishes...
My fridge seldom comes on 10 mins every 4 hours.
Neat perspective but also while you don't have a fridge you are relying on the stores fridge so you can buy the small amounts of things every day that do require cold temps. So the dependence is still there, just a step further away.
Thanks for commenting. I take your point. The things I buy from the shop fridge are yoghurt, cheese and butter. It would be possible to live without these If necessary, but I enjoy them. 🥰 I suppose it's one less fridge manufactured and using electricity and there's something nice about walking to our local shop and seeing people. I realise from all the comments what different situations we all live in, both in terms of location and our families. I had a fridge when my children were young and freezers can be great for storing garden produce. I just think it's all gone a bit crazy in terms of the size and number of fridges and freezers we have these days. I might make an update video. Thanks again. 👍🥰
@@simplerliving-annalgie Have you looked into mesophilic yogurts? You can make these yourself at room temp and they would be better suited to room temp storage as the bacteria would only strengthen vs weaken like the thermophilic varieties sold at the store 😊
@@sheisofthewoods No, I haven't but it sounds like a great idea. I have a friend who was making a huge amount of natural yoghurt the other day - not sure if this is the same thing, but I'll look into it 'cos I love natural yoghurt and greek yoghurt. I've never experienced any problems with them up to now though. thanks.
I have a small chest fridge that I run off of my solar array which I own (been off grid for many years). I turn it off overnight since it holds the cold, and even in warm weather, it keeps everything chilled. In the winter, I just put everything in a cooler on the porch and fridge is off. You really don't need a big fridge for just one person, but I miss endless ice!
Thanks for commenting. So many people miss ice.😂
Covering your butter or margarine with a wet cloth will keep it nice and cool even in the summer.
And this trick works for many things.
Great idea. Thanks.
Thank you so much for your video.
You are so right about the flavor. Room temperature fruit is so much sweeter.
Thanks for your comment. 😊
So many people ruin the flavor of their produce by refrigerating things that never need it. Your local grocery store only refrigerates foods that need it and you can tell which is which by looking at where they have it in the store.
I unplugged my fridge the last two winters and stored my food in the unplugged fridge in the shed. Now I just moved and it's warmer so it's plugged in again. But I really want to unplug it.. because I feel like it would change my diet in a positive way and it saves on money and space and sometimes the buzzing, although I have a small fridge :) People always look at me weird when I say I unplugged it. Same when I said I didn't have a couch (for about a year). And still I want to do it :)
Thanks for your comment. I like the idea of unplugging the fridge but continuing to use it like a cupboard.😂 We did that in our campervan. It's good to do what we want to do regardless of others thinking it's weird.😅
Live your own life and you will have fewer regrets. ;-) I get that look when I tell people (I know) that I only shower once a week. You can wash up without a shower and our ancestors (depending on where they lived) often only bathed annually. I don't think I've ever heard my refrigerator NOT running. I'm constantly checking to see if a door is open.
We have no sofa, no bed (sleeping on an amber and mustard seed filled thin matress on the floor), no washing machine, no car...all by choice and health is better for those choices...now considering ditching the fridges! 😁 Happy days🎉
Camping. I would buy spring onions and plant them when I got home. They continued to grow and I picked them as I used them.
This was interesting. As I turned my new fridge / freezer on today I noticed the doors even tell you how long things keep for. Im all for a sniff and a look to see if it’s ok but Paul will throw anything past it’s date. It’s so strange how much emphasis is put on dates etc which encourages waste and throwing perfectly good food. Really sad when so many go without.
I think it's crazy Samantha, especially as you say because it leads to lots of unnecessary waste. So much of this stuff is common sense. Look at it, smell it, taste a tiny bit of it. If you're not happy - don't eat it. If you use things up regularly you don't end up with lots of bits and pieces of food 'going off'. When you don't have a fridge you only keep left over food for an extra day - rarely it goes into a third day. We have never in 11 years had any form of food poisoning. (Oh dear I'll probably get ill now!) 🤣
I have started cooking so there’s no leftovers, because my family was not eating the leftovers. Too much waste was accumulating every week! Now our fridge is almost empty! I can completely see how freeing no fridge could be! Thank you for sharing your tips!
Thank you - sounds like you're doing a great job.❤️
@@simplerliving-annalgie thank you, but I came to it out of the necessity to manage 3 children while having adhd. No fridge could be very adhd friendly!
Thank you so much for this video! I have been without a fridge for about two years and I loved the silence! About a month ago I found a little one at a garage sale for $20 to have it just in case and because everybody I know thinks it is weird not having one. I think I will unplug it, the noise is just not worth it, I basically keep only frozen meals and fruit for smoothies inside it.
One fun thing that happened without the fridge is that I accidentalky made really good coconut yogurt by forgetting the milk in cold water on the kitchen counter overnight ( I usually put it outside at night).
Thanks for taking the time to comment Eleonora - I love hearing about other people's experiences. I find that natural yoghurt keeps perfectly well for several weeks in our cool kitchen. Ketchup, mayonnaise is also fine. ❤
@@simplerliving-annalgie as is mayo, as long as you don't dip a dirty utensil in it.
I can't stand a noisey fridge. My last apartment an older apartment size fridge no noise. New apartment with larger and brand new fridge noise and vibration. Open space concept also doesn’t help as heard in kitchen and livingroom area. I know electricity is not good for our health. Bed should be away from electrical plug-ins.
I'm getting there with noisy fridges! Had one in my house for years and bought a newer one and its noiser! Not sure whether it was the 2 fridges or my age-getting older. But I'm wanting to do away. A step at a time and doing more food preserves all the time
@@skylarsartnphotography3450 When I bought my swamp cooler I realized appliances have noise ratings, they were helpful. Also, will be looking into acoustic panels...Trying to learn to ferment foods, love the taste and so much better for our health... Interesting info about open concept!
Yes! I too have been living without using a fridge for years. We didn't have fridges in the past and we managed fine. It depends on what kind of home you are living in, though.
Thanks for commenting, yes our house is built of stone with thick walls and downstairs is quite naturally cool in summer. 😊
Kind isn't important. Everyone has difficulties coming. Big house big tax and utilities. Car payment. Mortgage. Thrift is important for all.
@@angelinasouren Not that here. I have no mortgage but I'm living on $785 and property is $400. Before you judge pause. Wealthy folks are in over their heads with debt and stand to lose it all. People cannot believe what's coming. "You will own nothing and be happy." You think that's joking? I'm looking at my debris wood with new eyes. Village no longer takes it to slash cost.
@@angelinasouren Drying, canning, smoking meat. If I had a one bed apt or even studio that's where I'd put it. Size and glamor is nothing. Priorities are everything. People did all these things in former times coz they had to and having to is back.
My grandpa told me that in his youth, when people didnt have a refrigerator, they would put a silver dollar into the jug of milk/cream and leave it in a shady spot inside. Silver is a natural and harmless way to kill bacteria, and it prevented it from spoiling in the heat. my family still uses it today to extend the shelf life of dairy even when it's in the fridge, but i would reccomend using a pure silver coin dated before 2012, as that was when they started coating the silver coins to prevent tarnishing
90% silver coins stopped in 1965
We can put items in a bucket and keep those in the cistern. Works pretty well.
i bet you eat a bunch of fresh sprouts
You could get an old fashioned ice box too.
And how does one accomplish this living in hot desert climates? Everything would spoil quickly.
My gran used a terracotta milk cooler for her milk, she didn't have a fridge and was able to manage quite well. 😊👍
I hated the noise, and it gave off a gas smell. You're right.compodting is great.
A lot of people don't like the noise of fridges. I think the modern ones are probably better. 🥰
Modern fridges and freezers don't make noise and the electricity they use is negligible.
Your experience is interesting but I would never do that unless forced into it.
I'm on my own with my dogs and cats and I have a large fridge and 2 separate freezers all full of meat, fish, butter, cheese, fruit and veg.
It allows you to buy bigger quantities when price is lower.
If you don't have a fridge and a freezer you have to buy little and often and that makes it more expensive.
Same for other minimalistic tendencies like very small houses, eventually you spend more money and waste time because you have no storage space. So I would be against minimalism. It brings more problems and expenses than it solves.
I also like well chilled stuff especially in the summer. I wouldn't be without air conditioning too. Summers are hot and not worth suffering if you can avoid it. Also same goes for my animals.
Thanks for your comments. 🥰
This has convinced me I don’t need a fridge.
Hi Sarah, hope it works for you - it will be interesting to give it a try - just switch the fridge off and see how it goes. You may find you only need it for a few weeks in the summer. I find here that there are about 6 weeks in the middle of summer each year where it crosses my mind that maybe I should have a fridge after all, but before I know it we're into cooler weather again. Enjoy the challenge and let me know how you get on.
Refridgeration kills flavor of tomatoes. Room temp
Definitely!👍❤️
I don't have a fridge. I waste a lot of food. I'm solo and tiny. I can only eat small portions. I can't keep leftovers with the risk of food poisoning. It's sinful to me. And it's really expensive.
~ 🦋
my mother spoke of wetting. a burlap bag and putting it over watermelons on the shady porch... and they were cool.
Sorry, but yogurt, mayo, and other foods items must be kept cold. Read the science concerning bacteria, especially with lactose based foods.
Thanks for your comment - you obviously have to be sensible and careful about what you eat. 👍
Eggs with bloom and yogurt does well in Egypt's heat on the shelf in the shade
I want to try a different method of cooling things off only because I don't sweat
I live off grid and we do not use refrigeration. I feel that it is Just to risking, If for some reason you lose powor your freezer goes out, you will lose all that food. I'm just not willing to take that chance. So when I have excess meat, I slow smoke Ito preserve it and I've never had it. Go bad. And sometimes I will can't like I do my access vegetables from the garden.
Thanks for your comment. It can be expensive if the power goes off and I think most people know someone it has happened to - like you say that's more of a risk with freezers.🥰
What is your method for slow smoking??
@lisaball2760 It's very simple.I do everything the primitive way, I built a small smokehouse using blocks. Make sure it's tall eto where the heat to your food. But the smoke does and let the smoke cook. It also also, it's very important that you choose the proper wood. I personally I'd like to use oakwood because it is abundant, Also If I can find it I'd love using Citrus tree wood and Pecan tree wood. It also helps a lot if you salt the meat To pull the moisture out Of the meat. Ask for me as a prepper.I noticed that most preppers do not put enough salt back. You need to have a lot of salt put back
For hard times.
We dont have electric or water on our property. The one and only solar panel quit working. No fridge here. Yes i know about the things you mentioned as not needing a fridge. I use powdered milk also. I buy a whole milk powder and it is awesome in taste. It can be done. We have two 55 gallon water barrels that a friend fills for us. We dont have a vehicle either.
I trying to get the spouse to give up the freezer😂😂😂😂😂. I’m starting to dry veggies, fruits and casserole dishes. Yes casseroles. Initially for backpacking, but now dehydrating leftovers instead of freezing. Fermentation is another thing I’m doing now, for better gut health and no fridge.😊
Ah, the good ole days....somethings nope. Do agree that some things were done smarter. Live in the South.....fridge and A/C.
Interesting video, thank you, Ann. When you say you have a cool house, what temperature range are you talking about? What are the summer temperatures that change the way you manage your food supply?
Having a cool, stable temperature would certainly make the concept easier. I'm in coastal New Zealand with a Mediterranean climate. My house is wooden, bare rafters (no ceiling) with a tin roof, and uninsulated. The temperatures indoors at any time of year can fluctuate by 13 degrees in 12 hours.
I'm puzzled by your reference to ice and icecream being kept in a fridge. We keep icecream in the freezer (which may be a separate cupboard above or below the fridge compartment, or a completely separate unit), otherwise it goes soft and runny. Ice stays frozen when stored in freezers in New Zealand. I wonder if your reference to "fridge" was inclusive of freezer?
Makes sense, specially the price of groceries,my fridge stays almost empty anyways
I've been thinking about this for awhile, wondering how to go about it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
when i lived in a studio the fridge made so much noise. I unplugged it and had to carefully fight the mold that tried to form in the freezer.
I was hoping for ideas to store produce from our garden without a cellar.
Our ancestors lived without fridges. If they did it and somehow were able to keep the human species alive, so can we in the 21st century and further into the future.
Texas is almost impossible to live without a Fridge uggg.. its so hot but you can use Ghee for Butter and it can be done ... Love your video Thanks for sharing..
Thanks 🥰
thank you so much for the video! sending luv from Brazil! =)
Thank you. How great to know I've reached Brazil!
It's always an option for some occasions to use a cooler and ice.
My mum had a cold slab in the pantry to keep things cold.in summer a earthenware vessel filled with cold water had the milk bottles keeping cold, and a mesh doored cupboard called a meat safe to keep flies off.xxxxx🐝🐝🇬🇧🇬🇧🐝
Yes, it does not have to be complicated. There are many places where people don't have fridges and like you say some of our parents and certainly grandparents didn't have them.
Im in Texas .power here, isn't dependable. Great Info. Thank u
Some farm people in Pa., had spring houses.
We use a cooler for our milk, cream and a few other things. We tried running our fridge last summer, couldn't do it. Recently, we brought our freezer up (we share land with a few others, and they have power down where they are) thinking we ought to be able to run that due to the greater efficiency, right? Until heatwave... the contents started thawing overnight when we have to turn the freezer off, so I've been experimenting with salt meat and yesterday I canned up a bunch of pork and fish, first time canning :)
Well done 👍. Thanks for commenting.
I have a small fridge. Like a British style that fits under the counter. A lot of people don't understand it. I can't put in 3 or 4 months of food, but, I'm not going to be GETTING 3 or 4 months of food at a time, anyway.
Thanks for your comment. It seems to make sense.🥰
im prepping with that plan in mind. having come from CA where it is common to shut off the power over any little thing.
my mother grew up as a farm woman in the depression. they canned their meats and veggies. and yes it would be a savings... and a consistency.
as government plays games with us.
@@carollynt I lived there until 66.yrs. never in my life until the last few years did I see it turned off for "winds". and my last 10 years in CA I worked grocery stores.
the level of food destruction and loss was a regular hit. every few months.
You csn use a french butter crock to keep butter on the bench, if you use too much cold water the butter is hard like it came out of the fridge even on a warm day
Unfortunately I eat meat...been living without a fridge due to living in a tent for 7 months now...I use cream...in coffee which lasts a few days... sausages and meat lasts 2 days ok...but just means buying food every 2 days...must admit it would be nice to buy bulk once a week and freeze...but going off grid in the next couple of weeks...it has a small fridge but no freezer...
This was really sweet and smart! Thank you 😊
Gas fridges and rv fridges are pretty silent.
I live off grid in Hawaii for 3 years no fridge. Its not that big of a deal to me.
Interesting.
We use our fridge and freezer. We consume what we purchase because we purchase only what we will consume.
We lived in an underdeveloped country for a few years and had no steady electricity, so our fridge was not used. We shopped daily for our food at a local market.
It's easy to adapt when you have an open mind and are flexible.
It benefits humans to learn to live in abundance and also in scarcity since we never know when our circumstances may change. I think Covid was a good example...as are natural disasters around the world.
Thank you for your vlog.
Hi, thanks for your great comment. I agree about the importance of adaptability - COVID showed us how quickly things can change even in a developed country.
She does not need a fridge because she does not eat whatever needs the fridge!
Well, this is not an option for everybody
Buying on a daily basics is….expensive
Thanks for your comment. It is easier for us because we're vegetarian, but many poor people in the world don't have fridges and it is possible to save money as you tend to waste less. There is also a small saving in electricity, but you're right it's not for everyone.🥰 We each choose what works best for us.