Do the pickles really have to go in the fridge?

[daffodil]

I just opened a jar of bread and butter pickles and don't have room to put them in the fridge (it's dorm size). Do they really have to be refrigerated like it says on the jar? The parmasean cheese said it needed refrigeration after opening but it's still out after over a month and I'm eating it. Can I just leave the pickles out or do I need to eat the whole jar tonight?

[DM]

naaaa, you can finish the jar in the morning... lol lol

DM

[CanNerd]

You probably have a good immune system since its only a minor bacteria growth. After several days though it might become a biology experiment.

[NCLee]

Daf, please do take care when doing things like that.

Your pickles will be probably be fine for a couple of days, but I wouldn't go any longer than that. The sugar/vinegar should keep them safe for a little while.

Consider getting an insulated cooler/ice chest to supplement your refrigerator. We do that when holiday cooking and there isn't enough refrigerator space. If you know someone with an ice maker (the version that makes bulk ice) perhaps they can help you out with ice.

As long as you have enough ice in it to have ice water, it'll help keep things like pickles safe longer. And, they'll be crisper, too. As long as you protect them from the water, this will work for produce such as lettuce and such. I wouldn't use this for anything that has a high risk of spoilage (potato salad, for example).

Lee

[tufhelp]

Not familiar with bread & butter pickles, but with dill and dill slices we haven't refrigerated them for years... just make sure they are submerged in their brine and leave them in the closet. Same for mustard and catchup, just store in the closet.

[CanNerd]

Not the same thing. Commercial refrigerator pickles do not have a strong vinegar/sugar brine like cooked pickles so there is not much there to protect against bacteria growth.

All properly processed/canned projects can be stored on the pantry shelf with no problem, until they are opened and then must be refrigerated. Some have enough acidity to allow for room temperature storage, but that does not apply to everything. If the container says "refrigerate after opening" I would strongly recommend doing so.

[daffodil]

Daf, please do take care when doing things like that.


Lee

I always think it's the government trying to trick me into thinking things will go bad so I'll think I need a fridge and electric bill to survive LOL! The night I moved in here we were having an ice storm. I was so tired from packing and the stress of the ride I left all the food in the truck. Dug it out a couple days later, didn't go thru it for a couple more days after I brought it in and then finally refrigerated a few things. Still ate the mayo and everything and didn't get sick! Although, everytime I eat spaghetti I get a stomach ache. Go figure. That jar of pickles is almost gone!:)

(Do you suppose this is why my family won't eat at my house? LOL!)

[CanNerd]

I always think it's the government trying to trick me into thinking things will go bad so I'll think I need a fridge and electric bill to survive LOL!
That's one thing that is nice about the Internet, a curious person can do their own research and find the answers and not rely on the government or anybody else with an agenda.

During the winter months in some parts of the country, people use their patios and balconies as refrigerators/freezers, especially in getting things ready for family gatherings during the holidays.

In my part of the country, leaving a truck outside in the elements was for the purpose of killing bugs -- cockroaches, ants, etc. -- by parking the moving van in the middle of the Mojave Desert for a couple days. Definitely an "organic" solution. :D