This guide dives into the fascinating ways Amish communities keep food cold without modern refrigeration. From ice houses to renting freezers, learn how these communities manage food preservation.
How Do the Amish Cool Their Food?
Ice Houses
The Amish keep food cold using alternatives to electric refrigerators. They often use ice houses filled with large blocks of ice. These ice blocks are usually harvested during winter and stored in sawdust or straw for insulation, keeping them frozen for months.
In January or February, Amish communities have a big event for collecting ice. They all go to a frozen pond and work together to cut big blocks of ice. This event is also a time for families to come together.
In many of the most conservative Amish communities, using ice boxes is still a common practice. These communities continue to use traditional methods of refrigeration
Non-Electric Refrigerators
Another method is using propane, solar or natural gas-powered refrigerators, which work similarly to electric ones but don’t rely on electricity. They’re really useful in Amish communities that avoid electricity for religious reasons.
Root Cellars and Basements
Root cellars are underground rooms, often built beneath a barn or house. The earth around them keeps the temperature inside cool and stable. Root cellars are great for storing vegetables, fruits, and canned goods.
In Amish homes, basements can be used similarly to root cellars. The naturally cooler underground environment helps preserve food. They often store home-canned foods, root vegetables, and other perishables here.
Both these methods use the natural coolness of the earth to keep food at a lower temperature, without needing electricity.
Spring Houses
Some Amish communities also use spring houses, where cool spring water helps to keep food cold. Built over natural springs, these small buildings use the cool water from the spring to keep food cold.
Water flowing through the spring house removes heat and keeps the inside cool.
Renting Freezers
In some conservative Amish communities that don’t use solar or gas, there’s another solution: renting freezer space. They use small buildings owned by non-Amish people, filled with freezers. Amish families rent these to store their food.
This way, they can keep food safe without using electricity themselves.
What Do the Amish Use for Fridges?
In conservative Amish communities, traditional methods like ice houses, root cellars, basements, and spring houses are used for refrigeration. Some families also rent freezer space in outbuildings from non-Amish owners.
On the other hand, more progressive Amish communities use propane, solar, or natural gas-powered refrigerators to keep food cold.