# Freezing of canned goods (and other questions about storage) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 25, 2005, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freezing-of-canned-goods-and-other-questions-about-storage/323334 "2005-09-25T14:45:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freezing-of-canned-goods-and-other-questions-about-storage/323334/1 "2005-09-25T14:45:29Z")
Well, I’m in the final week of packing up to move out. Uncle Sam’s gonna come take my sofas, endtables, bed, armoire. . . the big stuff. However, at the same time I’m packing all of my small “need it now” stuff into a non-climate controlled storage unit. And I still have over $100 worth of food in canned goods: soup, sauces, beans, etc. Now the _dry_ stuff I’m not worried about. Stuff in glass jars is going to be thrown out or given away. But the stuff in cans, can it be stored in freezing temperatures? Tripler Tip #1: Old Christmas wrappin’ paper makes good cushioning material in your boxes. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freezing-of-canned-goods-and-other-questions-about-storage/323334/2 "2005-09-25T20:04:23Z")
Found this, from Michigan State U: > [@](#): > > Is it safe to use canned foods (either home canned or commercially canned) which have frozen? If freezing does not break the seal (or seam, in the case of tin cans), the food will remain usable. However, frozen canned foods may > be less palatable than properly stored canned foods. Freezing may curdle starchy products. Curdled products usually become normal after thawing and heating. Thaw frozen canned foods slowly. > > If canned foods must be stored in an unheated place, wrap the jars or cans in paper or cover them with a blanket. And then this: > [@](#): > > The storage lives of most foods are cut in half by every increase of 18 F (10 degrees Celsius). For example, if you’ve stored your food in a garage that has a temperature of 90 F then you should expect a shelf life less than half of what could be obtained at room temperature (70 F) which in turn is less than half the storage life that you could get if you kept them in your refrigerator at 40 F. Your storage area should be located where the temperature can be kept above freezing (32 F) and, if possible, below 72 F. (forgot the source, sorry) But my favorite is this: > [@](#): > > “Two cans made for an Arctic expedition of 1824, one of veal and one of carrots, survived unopened and were investigated 114 years later. The contents were in sound condition, only slightly spoiled by the slow chemical attack of the tin coating; they could have been eaten safely, but the investigators did not dare try.” > > (from The Oxford Companion to Food by Alan Davidson). 😃 Good luck Trip. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freezing-of-canned-goods-and-other-questions-about-storage/323334/3 "2005-09-26T02:19:37Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > Found this, from Michigan State U: > > And then this: > > (forgot the source, sorry) > > But my favorite is this: > 😃 > > Good luck Trip. Aw hell, I’m always up for an adventure. Even if it’s into the culiary-gastrointestinal distress type. 😃 Seriously though, based on that, I don’t think I’ll be taking any chances. I’ll give all my stuff to the kid across the hall (he’s in my unit too, but he’s got a wife that’s staying behind). Tripler Sh\*t, that guys getting, like, $75 in groceries! ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freezing-of-canned-goods-and-other-questions-about-storage/323334/4 "2005-09-26T14:29:59Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > Aw hell, I’m always up for an adventure. Even if it’s into the culiary-gastrointestinal distress type. 😃 > > Seriously though, based on that, I don’t think I’ll be taking any chances. I’ll give all my stuff to the kid across the hall (he’s in my unit too, but he’s got a wife that’s staying behind). > > Tripler > Sh\*t, that guys getting, like, $75 in groceries! Seems to me your biggest worry would be that the contents would expand during freezing and potentially bust the can open. I think giving it away is the best solution.