"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
07/30/2014 at 13:06 • Filed to: science
2
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"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
07/30/2014 at 13:06 • Filed to: science | 2
| 28 |
Here's an interesting question for any science-minded Opponauts out there.
Since I have three growing boys, and since I don't want to go to the grocery store every other day for milk, I usually buy 12 gallons at a time and freeze it. Yes, you can freeze milk, you just have to shake it up since it separates when it freezes. Anyway, Costco used to stock milk that came in a plastic jug that had a depression on one side, and when the milk froze that depression would pop out as the milk expanded. Now they carry different jugs, and the depression is gone. About 20% of the jugs I freeze crack, and the milk drains out as it thaws.
Solution: pour a little milk out of the jug before freezing. But how much? Does anybody know how much to decant to allow expansion to occur without splitting the jug?
duurtlang
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:09 |
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Trial and error?
edit: a little googling (read: wikipedia) tells me water expands approximately 9% when it freezes. That's not an answer to your question, as the jugs might be able to compensate for a part of that 9%, but that's something we can't know without studying the jug. Try 5%.
HammerheadFistpunch
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:09 |
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Given that its mostly water, and that the difference in density between water and ice is about 9%, I would say 10% should cover you.
Nibbles
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:10 |
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Just be Canadian and transfer the milk from the jug into a bag.
Money Hustard
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:10 |
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Curious: what are you going to do with this information once you have it?
zeontestpilot
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:10 |
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Its hard to say. The best way to find out? Experiment. For example, take 4 different jugs, each with different amounts and see what works and what doesn't. It'll give you a starting point.
Decay buys too many beaters
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:10 |
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Water expands by roughly 10%, so (given that there is probably some empty space already) one cup per gallon should suffice.
Roundbadge
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:12 |
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I have no experience with Costco, but the BJ's (same idea) we go to actually charges more for milk than the grocery stores do. We don't go that often without coupons. We did compare it to Sam's once, and saw their prices were pretty much identical. Maybe Costco is better, but I know Sam's and BJ's are a bunch of jerks.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> Roundbadge
07/30/2014 at 13:14 |
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It's really about paying attention to what to buy and what not to buy at sams vs walmart/kroger.
When I had a Sams membership things like paper products were a huge win (paper towels, toilet paper, etc) on pricing. But other things like bottled water was a loss.
Can't blind shop there.
dinobot666
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:14 |
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I buy almond milk. Not because it's all hipster or whatever, but because it stays in the fridge without spoiling for weeks.
WRXforScience
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:23 |
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Have you ever considered powdered milk? Also if you are buying in bulk to match consumption, wouldn't the milk keep unfrozen?
Figure out how much milk you need for however long you wait between grocery trips and buy that much (assuming you go to the store at least once every 15-20 days the milk should last).
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ttyymmnn
> WRXforScience
07/30/2014 at 13:24 |
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The milk would keep unfrozen, but I don't have space in my fridge for 12 gallons of milk.
jariten1781
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:25 |
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Put it on a tray, take the lid off and freeze it. Collect whatever ends up in the tray, thaw it, and measure it. Then in the future remove that amount plus a small safety factor.
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ttyymmnn
> jariten1781
07/30/2014 at 13:26 |
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Now THAT'S science. And, unfortunately, wasted milk. I'm going to go with trial and error. I measured 1 cup out of each jug, and we'll see how that works out.
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ttyymmnn
> Roundbadge
07/30/2014 at 13:27 |
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Costco milk is $3/gal. Definitely cheaper than my local store, probably by at least 50¢/gal.
Alfalfa
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
07/30/2014 at 13:27 |
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While we're all preoccupied with how much it's expanding, I pose a question that could be just as valid: where is it expanding? Pouring out some of the milk may not help, because it will expand as it freezes, and may not only expand up. I would suggest two things. First, you could squeeze the jug a little while you replace the cap, so there is room in the sides to expand. Also, you may try freezing them sideways to get the same effect.
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ttyymmnn
> duurtlang
07/30/2014 at 13:29 |
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I removed 1 cup, which is 6%. We'll see what happens.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:29 |
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12 gallons at a time?!
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ttyymmnn
> Nibbles
07/30/2014 at 13:29 |
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Wut?
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ttyymmnn
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 13:31 |
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That would be great, but then I'd have to get one of those double ones that dispenses chocolate milk. Giant plastic bags of milk are probably pretty economical, though.
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Nibbles
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:31 |
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WRXforScience
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:31 |
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Time to build the milk keggerator (would also work for epic Big Lebowski white Russian parties).
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:35 |
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Why stop there? Get the triple for whole and 2%.
If you buy enough, they might deliver.
I've got 2 boys and a girl (7, 5, 1.5) - are you telling me this is my future?
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ttyymmnn
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 13:36 |
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Very possibly. I drink a fair amount of milk myself, though I probably shouldn't. I've heard it can promote prostate growth/cancer. But I love it.
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:40 |
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Same here. Out of the jug.
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ttyymmnn
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 13:48 |
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Damn right. My wife has given up on that one. Milk has to be about 34 degrees, though.
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 13:55 |
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That's why we can't be bothered to pour it in a cup - think of the previous degrees you'd lose!
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ttyymmnn
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/30/2014 at 14:31 |
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Absolutely! Moar science!!1!
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> ttyymmnn
07/30/2014 at 14:33 |
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FTE=MC^2W!