Live Maine lobster ready for the pot.
Lobsters make delicious meals no matter where in the world you live, but when there's a good bit of distance between you and the nearest live lobster you always have the option of shipping one fresh to your kitchen. Getting it there can be difficult, but by following a few shipping rules you can ensure that the lobster arrives in great shape to be the main guest to a much enjoyed lobster feast. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Shipping Environment
The most important variable in keeping a lobster alive during shipping is providing the proper shipping environment. Keep your lobsters moist and cool at all times during the trip. Temperature is important as cooled lobsters require less oxygen to survive, and oxygen deprivation is the primary cause of lobster death while being shipped. Moist conditions are even more important than the temperature to the lobster, which requires a moist environment for its gills to function.
Preparation
Do not feed the lobsters for two or three days prior to shipment. A full stomach causes the lobster to use more oxygen, increasing chances of oxygen deprivation. Cool your lobster down to a temperature between 45 to 50 degrees before shipping to lessen reaction to the extreme temperature changes when moved to the shipment container.
Shipping
Use a container that can be kept cool and moist without having to submerge the lobster in water. If you use ice, make sure it won't melt around the lobster as it swells in fresh water and bursts. Ship live lobsters in a sturdy Styrofoam box packed closely together to prevent the shells from breaking during shipping. Make a few air holes in the box and provide some space around the container when shipping as well, in order to prevent the lobsters from asphyxiation on a buildup of carbon dioxide.
Use a refrigerated truck for shipping as it can maintain the proper conditions indefinitely. Shipped lobsters can only survive for 4 or 5 days so speed is important. Keep the shipping container to as near 100% humidity as possible with temperatures between 32 and 40 degrees F during the journey, taking care not to allow the temperature to drop to 29 degrees F which is the freezing temperature of lobsters.
When the lobster has reached its destination, you'll need to warm it up slowly in order to prevent damage from temperature changes.
Tags: between degrees, during shipping, order prevent, oxygen deprivation, temperature changes