Winter storage of canned goods TT

Spoiling isn't an issue; canned goods, if properly processed (and commercially produced canned food would be) can last for years and years, very nearly indefinitely.

Most canned goods probably wouldn't freeze under the conditions you describe for several reasons. The temperature inside the RV is more moderated than that outside (since the RV is enclosed and insulated, at least somewhat). The long-term average temperature will be similar, but the deviation from that average less extreme. Canned goods have enough thermal mass that it takes awhile for them to freeze. Also, most canned goods, though water based, have a good bit of either salt or sugar dissolved in the water, which lowers its freezing point.

Of course, it only takes one can bursting to make for a big mess in the spring. Bringing them in and using them up is the best option.

2gypsies wrote:
It's best to use up your old food anyway rather then keep storing them another season. I'd bring them in and use them up. Buy fresh next season.

x2

I live about 60 miles N of Knoxville NE Tn.and i always empty everything.I have had water freeze solid when we don't use it for a few weeks and temps there are about the same as here.

Takes a long time for water to freeze inside an RV. Canned food which sits inside a closed cabinet would take longer than exposed plumbing. I leave canned food in my rig in Portland Oregon - which doesn't get cold very often and seldom last very long. Everyone has a different tolerance for risk.

Most (if not all) canned goods have water in them. Water freezes at 32 degrees. If water freezes, it expands. If water freezes in a sealed can, it will expand the can until it breaks. When the can breaks, "goo" will spill out of the can and that "goo" will freeze wherever it rests. When the temperatures get above freezing, what was frozen will now thaw, and more will "goo" from the broken can. Now, you go out to the camper on a nice day to prepare for your first trip, and ... you have "goo" everywhere!

Avoid all the "goo" and simply removed everything from the camper. All food items, all liquid items, all refrigerated items, all canned items, all packaged items, sugar, salt shakers, even powdered coffee creamers.

Leave no food items in the camper. Not only because of potential freezing, but older food should be consumed or tossed out. Come Spring, the food may be bad anyway from freezing and thawing.

Second, ANY food item left in the camper is an invitation for unwanted critters to invade your castle. Ants, bugs, mice, rodents can smell that food a hundred miles away and will dig, claw, and chomp their way into your camper to get to it. Now, you have "goo" and critter "poo" to deal with, not to mention other damage the critters can "doo".

Get the point! Easy solution ... remove all liquids and ALL food, consumable items! Leave nothing inside over the winter months.

If it's going to be below freeing for more than a day, they'll freeze just like a bottle of water. If it's down to 0 deq then you're going to have a lot of mess to clean up next spring.

Bill

I'd empty it out.

It's best to use up your old food anyway rather then keep storing them another season. I'd bring them in and use them up. Buy fresh next season.

Probably not a good idea at those temperatures. I am a little surprised that area gets so cold, that is chilly by our standards.