# Shelf Stable Milk - would you buy it or use it in cooking? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [February 2, 2026, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289 "2026-02-02T01:34:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/61 "2026-02-02T16:46:33Z")
I haven’t bought any shelf stable milk/8oz containers, but I am totally in love with Fairlife milk. It’s ultra-filtered and has an expiration date of I think around 2 months. However it’s made gives it more protein and less sugar than regular milk. I think it tastes great! I drink it straight and put it in cereal. It is well more expensive than regular milk, but I was in a conundrum where I would run out of milk too often if I bought a half gallon, but end up with a good bit of spoiled milk if I bought a gallon. Now I buy 3 half-gallons of Fairlife at a time and never run out and never have it go bad. So the convenience and the lack of wasted milk justifies and evens out the price for me. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/62 "2026-02-02T17:48:22Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Seems like they could Ultra-High Pasteurized milk back in the 1940’s. It could have been sold in the grocers almost 75 years earlier. Back in the 80s I had a client who dealt in super-sterilization equipment. It’s a tricky technology - bring up the temperature too slowly and things get scalded before they’re sufficiently sterilized. Bring it up too quickly, and liquids can superheat and explode. Reminds me of when my mother used to can preserves in an old fashioned pressure cooker. It had a weighted cap for a safety valve, which at least once blew so high it dented the ceiling. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/63 "2026-02-02T18:03:30Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I wonder why it took so long to become available? > > Seems like they could Ultra-High Pasteurized milk back in the 1940’s. It could have been sold in the grocers almost 75 years earlier. > > Oh well, its available now. Is that really the case in the US? I’m a 57 year old German and have known it all my life. ETA: I now see that this point has been raised and answered before. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/64 "2026-02-02T18:46:04Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Houses, kitchens, and by extension refrigerators are much smaller here than in the US. There, it’s very common to have a gigantic fridge, and you have room for a gallon-sized container of milk. I have a pretty average size US fridge, nothing premium about it. I could probably fit 50 1 gallon jugs of milk in there. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/65 "2026-02-02T18:51:35Z")
I have a standard size German fridge, and I couldn’t even store one 1 gallon jug anywhere in it. I (and most other Germans) buy milk in one liter packs (a bit less than a quarter gallon). That lasts for about two weeks for me, as a single (nowadays, I only buy oat milk, but in the same dimensions). ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/66 "2026-02-02T19:03:28Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I feel a little guilty using shipping. But Walmart made this necessary. Not me. Target carries shelf stable milk, as does Dollar Tree and Costco. Any of them closer to you? All three offer online ordering and shipping. Trader Joe’s carries shelf stable whipping cream in 8 oz boxes, I’m a little surprised they don’t also offer UHT milk ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/67 "2026-02-02T19:07:51Z")
I have bought Channel Island milk for that, but I do not remember if the carton was UHT or not. Some of it is; you would have to check the particular brand. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/68 "2026-02-02T19:16:02Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I have a pretty average size US fridge Average size US fridge \>\>\>\>\> average size European fridge. After almost a decade in Europe, I find average US fridges to be absolutely enormous. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/69 "2026-02-02T19:28:12Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I have a standard size German fridge, and I couldn’t even store one 1 gallon jug anywhere in it. Interesting. [According to Whirlpool](https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/guide-to-refrigerator-sizes-dimensions.html), in the US - **Small refrigerators:** 11 to 13 cu. ft. - **Medium refrigerators:** 14 to 21 cu. ft. - **Large refrigerators:** 22 to 31+ cu. ft. A gallon of milk is 0.134 cubic foot. So even the smallest small refrigerator has room for multiple gallons. It isn’t uncommon (I don’t think) for US homes to have a separate chest freezer because the normal refrigerator doesn’t have enough room. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/70 "2026-02-02T19:43:23Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > A gallon of milk is 0.134 cubic foot. So even the smallest small refrigerator has room for multiple gallons. I have no idea about the volume of my fridge, but the way the different shelves and racks are laid out, there is no way to fit for such a big container. But milk isn’t approximately sold in that volume, I think I’ve never seen a bigger pack than one liter at any store. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/71 "2026-02-02T20:01:15Z")
Yeah, it’s not about the total interior volume, it’s the layout. This is basically my fridge: [https://www.hifi.lu/en/p/12006132-combi-built-in-fridge-freezer-ki86nvse0-iq300](https://www.hifi.lu/en/p/12006132-combi-built-in-fridge-freezer-ki86nvse0-iq300) That’s a pretty typical size around here. Total interior fridge capacity is 184 liters, which is about 6½ cubic feet. Way under the “small” category in the list above. But, in theory, if a gallon of milk is a little under 4 liters, the fridge will hold over 45 gallons. However— if you click through and look at the shelf spacing and stuff, there’s just nowhere to put an American gallon jug, let alone 45. The 1-liter UHT box, though? Slots nicely into the door rack. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/72 "2026-02-02T20:06:24Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > This is basically my fridge: > > [https://www.hifi.lu/en/p/12006132-combi-built-in-fridge-freezer-ki86nvse0-iq300](https://www.hifi.lu/en/p/12006132-combi-built-in-fridge-freezer-ki86nvse0-iq300) > > That’s a pretty typical size around here. And your fridge is about one third larger than mine, I don’t have two separate compartments. What my fridge does have is a small freezing compartment at the top, though. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/73 "2026-02-02T21:45:51Z")
This product is hard to find in Ontario in big boxes. You can find smaller bottles and lunch boxes. It tastes similar to refrigerated milk and would taste the sane in cooking. Cold fresh milk has a slightly better mouthfeel but the difference is smaller than you would suspect. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/74 "2026-02-02T21:58:23Z")
Pet milk. Boxed milk. Even powdered milk are workhorses in the kitchen. YMMV Other than a cow in the backyard, you cannot be sure. Freshness is an estimate in refridged milk. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/75 "2026-02-02T22:02:42Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Freshness is an estimate in refridged milk. But you can easily smell, taste or see (it curdles) if it’s spoiled. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/76 "2026-02-02T22:35:35Z")
No doubt. Use your nose. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/77 "2026-02-02T23:06:52Z")
If milk looks like cottage cheese. Throw it out. 😅 I’ve found curdled milk in my fridge a few times. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/78 "2026-02-02T23:21:45Z")
Curdled milk is just a few steps from cheese. Ya know. Actually we use naturally occurring older milk, maybe a bit soured, to make corn bread. Works great. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/79 "2026-02-03T02:13:07Z")
There’s a relatively new pasteurization technique that gives the safety of conventional milk with the taste of raw milk: High Pressure Pasteurization. It’s been commercially available in Australia for a number of years now but I can’t find any US producers that have started selling it yet. > **[The Technology Behind Cold Pressed Raw Milk - Made By Cow](https://www.madebycow.com.au/cold-pressed-milk-technology)** > > Discover how our unique method keeps our milk nutritious, fresh and delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289/80 "2026-02-03T02:37:15Z")
Interesting. I wonder when the authorities will approve high pressure processing for use in the United States. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-milk-would-you-buy-it-or-use-it-in-cooking/1027289.md?page=5)