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 businesses choose foam (not Styrofoam) shipping coolers built with an effective insulating material known as expanded polystyrene (or “EPS foam”).
EPS foam shippers serve as a fantastic means of shipping temperature sensitive products due to being 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; Also, the expanded polystyrene foam containers used in shipping seafood across the country can be reused and reused, and last for years if the manufacturing 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 the use of special thermal gel packs that can be frozen and then reused, or dry ice blocks that are cut to size. size without being too bulky.
Let’s say you’ve just had a nice day of fishing on a charter in the Florida Panhandle or decided to get some choice lobster while touring the Maine countryside and you want those perishable, time-sensitive foods shipped to California so your friends can enjoy them. Once you’ve purchased a sturdy and reliable shipping cooler, here are three important things to consider…
THICKNESS, DENSITY AND QUALITY OF SHIPPING COOLER
Just choose an EPS foam container that is at least an inch and a half thick and “FULLY CAST”, meaning the EPS material has been properly molded to be not only strong but also leak resistant. You don’t want a foam shipping container that sweats or allows liquid to see through the open pores that result from a rushed manufacturing process. You can pay a little more, but think about how satisfied you will be when the package of seafood arrives intact and fresh. Because the container is of a higher quality, it will be reusable for more shipments or as a regular foam cooler that could last for years.
SPEED OF SEAFOOD SHIPPING IS A HIGH PRIORITY
Do not be stingy when it comes to sending the package. There is no telling what kind of “interesting” conditions your cargo will encounter during the journey, so the less time in transit, the better. No matter how effective the quality of the foam shipping box’s thermal insulation is, the freshness of your catch or purchase largely depends on how quickly it can reach the destination so that it can be properly refrigerated or cooked upon opening. container. Seafood is highly perishable and there is no need to increase the risks of spoilage, contamination or abuse by those handling the package.
USE THE PROPER COOLANT FOR YOUR FOAM SHIPPING COOLER
When you have to move a closed container of fresh seafood long distances, you will ensure that the material you choose to keep it cold is the right choice and in the right quantity. Please check with the shipping company before shipping. Dry ice is great for keeping things cold or even frozen, but not so great for Live seafood, such as when you want to ship live lobster. For that, you must use gel coolants (gel packs) that have been frozen. They replace wet ice (frozen water) because regular ice is not a great option due to its weight, not to mention that it requires extra waterproof packaging. Of course, you want to make sure you pack the volume of the container well so you don’t end up with a bunch of empty air that also needs to be cooled. Many people use crumpled up newspaper or other cheap, lightweight “filler.”
For best results shipping 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 packaged in high-quality containers and shipped via express mail, your seafood should arrive at its destination still fresh and ready to cook for enjoyment.
