Blast freezer protocols

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question about blast freezer
use (Conservation DistList Instance: 25:26 Sunday, November 27,
2011)

In addition to Dick Smith's response to the entire list
(Conservation DistList Instance: 25:27 Saturday, December 3, 2011),
I received three individual responses:

Two reported that they turn their freezers on and off as needed, to
save wear and tear on the freezer and to reduce the time needed to
manage a temperamental unit.  Neither has experienced mold.  One
leaves the door open for 24 hours following reheat, while the other
always leaves the door open while the unit is not in use.  They
believe the air circulation and drop in humidity achieved by leaving
the door open prevent mold growth.

The third reported experiencing mold growth when freezers are left
off for significant periods, and prefers to leave them on at all
times. This prevents water from melted ice buildup from encouraging
mold growth in the dark, humid interior of the freezer.

Rebecca Hatcher
Preservation Coordination Librarian
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Yale University, New Haven, CT
203-432-2960


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:29
                 Distributed: Sunday, December 18, 2011
                       Message Id: cdl-25-29-003
                                  ***