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DutchmenSport's avatar
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 14, 2014

When winterizing remember to ...

take out the liquids from your cabinets and storage areas!

I winterized a few weeks ago, but did not get the liquids out. Well, it got down to 14 degrees here in Central Indiana this morning (that post from yesterday when I said it was 78 in Indianapolis ... I was JUST kidding!)... anyway ...

No bottles were broken, no cans exploded, but a couple interesting things happened.

My Pay Day candy bars turned to rock hard. A 10 second zap in the microwave and they were good as new again and still yummy! I had those for breakfast today.

Found a bottle of cooking oil. It had turned to jell. Looks really weird, but now that it's in the house, it's beginning to turn back to normal.

That tube of toothpaste? Rock hard!

Bottle of hand lotion! I think I broke the pumper on it when I tried. It was frozen.

Progresso canned soups did just fine! At least they didn't break open. Gonna have one of those for lunch today!

That roll on deodorant? Well, I'm just going to let that thing thaw out before using it.

And that can of shaving cream??? you know when you have an air conditioner leak and the freeon is ice cold and freezes anything it touches? Well, that can of shaving cream wasn't too far behind!

There were no drinks, beer, or glass bottles in the camper, so everything is good there too.

So, just a reminder when doing your winterizing, to take out your liquids.

Unfortunately, when we go to Florida over Christmas week, we'll have restock all of this and probably forget half of it! I suppose that's why they invented that little thing called, "Wall Mart?"
Seeking Advice
  • Dakota98's avatar
    Dakota98
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2014
    It's been snowing lightly here since early yesterday morning. We now have about 10" on the ground. :R

    Hope my half gallon of Vodka is OK. :E

    I removed the Twinkies, of course. :B
  • jplante4's avatar
    jplante4
    Explorer II
    Nov 14, 2014
    And if you have a coffee pot that has a water reservoir (most do), remove that as well. First trip this season we were almost without coffee.
  • Water-Bug's avatar
    Water-Bug
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2014
    Two things that I have missed in the past were filters on an icemaker and sprayer on the kitchen sink. Filter was due to be replaced anyhow and sprayer was an easy fix.
  • Beverley_Ken's avatar
    Beverley_Ken
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2014
    After the winterizing of the MH, I put all the stuff that could be damaged by freezing, or expire before the next use in a plastic (Rubbermaid) bin. Toothpaste food etc. is recycled in the house and replace with new in the bin. One container to carry to carry out the MH if we decide on a quick getaway during the winter.
    Forgot a few cans of Pepsi in the bottom of a cupboard on year, big job in the spring.

    Ken
  • Fizz's avatar
    Fizz
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2014
    Another one for you.
    We keep our cottage stocked over the winter, -35C.
    It's all canned food, no harm done but they do form a film of condensation when it warms up a bit. If you're not there to mop it up it will form rusty rings all over your cupboard shelves.
    Not serious but still ugly.

    We keep everything up there except true liquids like drinks, juices, wine. Everything else will freeze solid but won't expand enough to burst the containers.
  • Opie431's avatar
    Opie431
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2014
    I found that searching the shelves and drawers has to be a two person job. I think I have dound everything that has to come in. Than I send my husband out and he finds something that I overlooked. Than I go out again and usually find something else.
    I am sure that I have found everything the first time and am sure that husband has found everything the second time. I still went out for a third search and I am sure that he has a bottle of wine somewhere so will probably go out for a fourth seach.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2014
    Good advice, we normally remove all food and liquids when winterizing.

    I screwed up last year, I left 3 full Aquatainers in the Aliner. Two were 7 gallon and one was 4 gallon. Of course they all froze and thawed several times over the winter but did not break or even crack. One did lose a little water past the cap gasket. I was amazed, and thankful.
  • stetwood's avatar
    stetwood
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2014
    Most liquids have salt or sugar added which will lower the freezing point downwards depending on the concentration. As long as a container will have some air space to absorb some of the expansion of the liquid, most containers will not break, unless it is large glass container.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Nov 14, 2014
    DutchmenSport wrote:
    Unfortunately, when we go to Florida over Christmas week, we'll have restock all of this and probably forget half of it! I suppose that's why they invented that little thing called, "Wall Mart?"


    I recall my wife packing for a trip.. She'd pack food enough for the entire trip..

    I finally had to convince her. Pack less, there is a Kroger,, or ____ (other grocery stores) just down the road.

    never did convince her till we went full time

    now i go shopping 2x a week.. Senior discount day (Wed where I am parked) and Sunday go to church day (on the way home, the store is FEET out of the way (As in I get to the intersection and turn RIGHT to enter the parking lot or LEFT to continue to the RV)

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