https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:32:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917760 Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:39:36 +0000 ElbieKay 2917760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, if you have storage space for a second fridge, I would just get one anyway. My parents use their second fridge all the time for things like keeping drinks cold. And we got a chest freezer for my milk when I was nursing twins, and now it is full of all kinds of other frozen stuff. Not necessarily a waste of money if you have a big family and have space to store the extra applicances. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917678 Sat, 25 Jul 2020 12:35:07 +0000 Lahela017 2917678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agreed. I was also going to say, it would be worth getting a mini fridge! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917677 Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:51:25 +0000 Shybee23 2917677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all! I think you have me sold on a mini-fridge - definitely sounds like it’d be worth it and will be good to have on hand once our regular fridge comes in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917676 Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:07:29 +0000 LemonJack 2917676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agreed on the mini fridge! </p> <p>An easy crock pot meal is chicken tacos. It’s only chicken breasts, taco seasoning, and salsa. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917659 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 15:03:51 +0000 greencraftycello 2917659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an old mini fridge that my husband uses in our basement bar. I’ve definitely had luck with FB Marketplace for things we are looking for used, maybe try there? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917639 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 08:45:30 +0000 Mommy Finger 2917639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitcat: I was going to say something along the lines of this. Even if you just used the mini fridge down the line as a beverage fridge, I think you could get more use out of it but I love having our second fridge in the basement. I don't think I could last without a fridge. Just having a cooler would scare me and I would constantly be taking the temp to make sure we were in the safe zone and that would defeat the purpose b/c opening up the cooler would let the cool air out. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917636 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 06:32:50 +0000 caitcat 2917636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One other idea on the fridge - if you have space in a basement or garage, would it be helpful in the long run to have a second full-size fridge in one of those spots? Maybe you could find one second hand to use for now while you wait on your new appliances, but then still be able to use in the longer term for extra space? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917633 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:55:50 +0000 MrsSRS 2917633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not sure why my comment triple posted 🤣 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917630 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:54:28 +0000 MrsSRS 2917630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917631 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:54:15 +0000 MrsSRS 2917631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917632 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:54:01 +0000 MrsSRS 2917632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Breakfast: protein bars, muffins, microwave scrambled eggs in a coffee mug, toast with PB, oatmeal, cereal (you can buy milk in shelf stable tetra packs. Horizon organics sells one like juice box size that doesn't have to be refrigerated)</p> <p>Lunch: PB&amp;j, planned dinner leftovers (one night in the cooler should be fine for leftovers), crackers/veggies/hummus, easy Mac</p> <p>Dinner:<br /> Grilled chicken and veggies (make the day you shop then repurpose leftovers for the next day's lunch and then turn the last of it into a toasted sandwich with pesto)<br /> English muffin or pita pizzas and bag of salad<br /> Grilled burgers and corn (buy frozen patties and use one or two days later)<br /> Bratwurst/potato/broccoli sheet pan style in the toaster oven. Brats should be fine in the cooler for a day or two. Or buy precooked hotdogs for extra security.<br /> Enchiladas (toaster oven with tortillas, canned beans, canned chicken, canned sauce, cheese)<br /> Ziti bake (uncooked pasta, sauce, cheese, zucchini, water, etc baked in a dish)<br /> One night of take out. That's one week. Repeat for week two!</p> <p>Just realized this might not work with some toaster ovens. I was assuming you had one of the bigger ones people often use to make chicken nuggets, etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917628 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 04:17:09 +0000 Ms. RV 2917628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: Agreed. Get a small fridge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917627 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 01:48:59 +0000 PurplePeony 2917627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you get a hot plate so you can boil water? Something like this (if your cookware is induction compatible...if not, there are similar burners that are just regular electric): <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Duxtop-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&#038;keywords=induction+burner&#038;qid=1595570910&#038;sprefix=induc&#038;sr=8-3" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Duxtop-8100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B0045QEPYM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&#038;keywords=induction+burner&#038;qid=1595570910&#038;sprefix=induc&#038;sr=8-3</a>. Then, you could at least make pasta, rice, soup, etc. I second the idea of getting a mini fridge, as well. Otherwise, look for shelf-stable prepared foods you can heat in the microwave (Trader Joe’s is good for this) and things like peanut butter and honey sandwiches since none of the components need refrigeration. You could do microwave baked potatoes/sweet potatoes, and most fresh veggies would probably be fine in the cooler for a few days as long as they’re not right on top of the ice (kale, cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, green beans, etc). Tomatoes don’t need to be refrigerated and summer squash is fine on the counter for several days. Since it’s summer, salads are always good and you can add some canned beans or tuna for protein. Meals would probably get pretty boring, but I think you could make it work most days and only get takeout here and there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917626 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 00:18:28 +0000 ALV91711 2917626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is tricky without a fridge. Do you have time to prep some food before? I’m thinking make and freeze hamburger patties and a couple other things. They can then start as ice for the cooler and you can cook them when they defrost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917622 Thu, 23 Jul 2020 22:36:11 +0000 jhd 2917622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shybee23: could you get a small fridge like one you might use for a dorm room? I can’t imagine spending all that time without a fridge! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917621 Thu, 23 Jul 2020 22:29:43 +0000 Shybee23 2917621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought a new house but all our appliances are back ordered due to the pandemic. We’ll have 2.5 weeks without a fridge or stove. We’ll have a microwave, toaster oven, a grill, and a decent cooler. </p> <p>Any suggestions for meal planning without blowing our budget on takeout every night? Normally I’d plan to grocery shop most days to get something to grill that night - but with Covid, not crazy about making excessive grocery runs. (I’m 6 months pregnant.)</p> <p>(We also have a crockpot we can use but most of our crockpot recipes result in leftovers, which we can’t store...)</p> <p>Thanks for any suggestions! </p>