Shipping perishable seafood across entire states and over long distances requires the right tools for the job; otherwise, there is a high probability that your delicate cargo will lose temperature integrity and spoil. To prevent this disaster from happening, thousands of companies choose foam (not polystyrene) shipping coolers made from an effective insulating material known as expanded polystyrene (or “EPS foam”).
EPS foam conveyors serve as a fantastic temperature sensitive product shipping medium because they are lightweight and thermodynamically reliable, with higher quality shipping coolers capable of keeping items cold for days when properly packaged.
Furthermore, the material is generally inexpensive and can be economically recycled; Additionally, the expanded Styrofoam containers used in shipping seafood across the country can be reused and reused, and last for years if the build quality is high enough. Depending on the volume and type of food being shipped, the effectiveness of an EPS foam shipping box is increased by using special thermal gel packs that can be frozen and then reused, or blocks of dry ice that are cut to fit without being too bulky. .
Let’s say you’ve just enjoyed a good day of fishing in the Florida Panhandle or you’ve decided to get your hands on some select lobsters while cruising the Maine countryside and you want those urgent, perishable foods shipped to California so your friends can enjoy them. . Once you’ve purchased a rugged and reliable shipping cooler, here are three important things to keep in mind …
COLD SHIPPING THICKNESS, DENSITY AND QUALITY
Choose only an EPS foam charger that is at least an inch and a half thick and is “FULLY FUSED”, meaning the expanded polystyrene material was properly molded to be not only strong but also leak resistant. You don’t want a foam shipping container that breathes or allows liquid to seep through the open pores that result from a rushed manufacturing process. You may pay a little more, but think about how satisfied you will be when the seafood package arrives intact and still fresh. Because the container is of higher quality, it will be reusable for more shipments or to use as a normal foam cooler that could last for many years.
SEAFOOD SHIPPING SPEED IS A HIGH PRIORITY
Don’t be stingy when it comes to expediting the package. It is not known what kinds of “interesting” conditions your cargo will encounter during the journey, therefore the less time in transit the better. No matter how effective the thermal insulation quality of the foam shipping box is, the freshness of your catch or purchase is highly dependent on how quickly you can get it to the destination so that it can be properly refrigerated or cooked when opening the container. . Seafood is highly perishable and there is no need to increase the risks of spoilage, contamination, or abuse by the people handling the package.
USE THE RIGHT COOLANT FOR YOUR FOAM SHIPPING COOLER
When you have to move a closed container of fresh seafood long distances, you will make sure that whatever you choose to keep it cold is the right choice and in the right amount. Check with the shipping company before shipping. Dry ice is great for keeping things cold or even frozen, but not so great for Live shellfish, such as when you want to ship live lobsters. For that, you want to use gel coolants (gel packs) that have been frozen. They replace wet ice (frozen water) because regular ice is not a good choice due to its weight, not to mention it requires extra waterproof packaging. Of course, you want to make sure you pack the volume of the container well so that you don’t end up with a bunch of empty air that needs to be cooled as well. Many people use crumpled newsprint or other cheap, lightweight “fillers.”
For the best results when shipping your catch or personal seafood purchases over long distances, use EPS foam shipping coolers to get the job done, combined with gel packs or dry ice, depending on the type of seafood you’re shipping. When properly packed in high-quality containers and shipped express, your seafood should arrive at its destination still fresh and ready to cook for your enjoyment.
