[Note: Gloria Yoder is taking the week off from writing a column for the Amish Cook. Instead, her editor Kevin Williams has taken the opportunity to educate the public about how the Amish use freezer houses.]
How times have changed ...
Many Amish used to have 'ice houses.” These outbuildings would be filled with ice, and foods that needed to be kept frozen would be put inside. Generally the ice would be cut from an area pond during winter and the ice house would be insulated well enough that it would stay cold through the summer. Some Amish still do this.
In Berne, Indiana's Amish community, however, the ice houses have been replaced with 'freezer houses.” What are these?
A freezer house is a centrally located outbuilding, usually owned by a non-Amish person, who then allows an Amish family to rent an electric freezer to store food. Doing this allows Amish families to keep food truly frozen without dealing with the hassle of cutting ice or the taboo practice of having electricity at home.
The Amish often make compromises that seem to twist logic for most outsiders, but this arrangement makes sense for some Amish. It allows them to have a freezer without the electricity.
These freezer buildings usually have telephones in them, too, that Amish people can use for a small fee. As cell phones have become more common, even among the Amish, fewer people need a pay phone.
The green signs in the above photo give prices for ice (50 pound block for $1.50 and crushed ice for $1.75, and phone calls: the phone calls are long distance $1, local calls 50 cents and toll-free. Any call over 10 minutes is $2. All of this is paid on the honor system.
A peek inside one of these buildings show how they are full of freezers. These are big freezers and often two or three families will go in together on renting one.
Opinion content represents the viewpoint of the author or The Gazette editorial board. You can join the conversation by submitting a letter to the editor or guest column or by suggesting a topic for an editorial to editorial@thegazette.com
FAQs
Some Amish communities allow their members to use freezers, whether that is by placing a freezer in a willing English neighbor's house, or by using a gas-powered freezer in their own home. While Martha says she does freeze some food, she prefers canning.
How do Amish keep meat from spoiling? ›
The Amish have a unique way of keeping their perishables fresh and cool. A cold stream is a stream of running water from a nearby lake or river, usually under the house of an Amish family. The cool water enters the home through channels, and as it passes underneath, it maintains optimal temperatures for storing food.
Can Amish people eat ice cream? ›
Most meals are topped off with desserts. They can range from a layered jello dessert to cake to ice cream to homemade pies. The sweet tooth reigns in Amish communities.
What foods can Amish not eat? ›
The Amish Have No Dietary Restrictions
Having no dietary restrictions means they can eat whatever their heart desires. While many Amish stick to a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch diet, we've seen Amish dine at Olive Garden and take their buggies through the Burger King drive thru line.
Do the Amish bathe every day? ›
Yes, the Amish bathe, but they often do it without electricity, and sometimes without indoor plumbing. They usually heat the water on a stove in order to have a warm bath. This labor-intensive process is one reason that the Amish don't normally bathe every day.
Do Amish drink coffee? ›
Conclusion. So the Amish do indeed drink coffee, and it's an important part of their culture. Coffee is as Amish as horse and buggies and wicker basket weaving.
Do Amish eat canned food? ›
Peaches, pears, apples, and cherries are canned to enjoy year-round. Green beans, corn, peas, and carrots are common canned vegetables. Sauerkraut. Fermented foods like sauerkraut are another popular canning tradition with the Amish.
Do the Amish water bath meat? ›
Amish Jarred Beef Recipe
Because of their low acidic qualities, beef, meats, and seafood must be processed in a pressure canner. Pressure canning is the only safe way to store your meat in jars. Water baths will NOT allow for safe storage or consumption.
How do the Amish keep their house cool? ›
Keeping Cool Indoors
They open the windows on the top floors to help the heat escape while the family retreats to the lower grounds within their homes for comfort. In some Amish homes, the basem*nt is used as a family gathering place for dining or playing games.
Can Amish have refrigerators? ›
So, the Amish can use power sources such as solar, propane, and diesel. These rules allow many modern appliances to be used, such as refrigerators. In addition, generators or batteries are allowed by the Amish. Phones are not permitted in the home but are commonly used for business purposes.
Summary: The Amish typically have their teeth pulled out by unlicensed dentists instead of incurring the high cost of dentistry. They perceive dentures as more cost effective and easier to maintain oral health.
How is the Amish hygiene? ›
The Amish have various hygiene practices, just like regular Americans. They take showers, although the frequency may vary among different Amish orders. Conservative Amish don't use deodorant, talc, or lotion. They simply wash, dry, and put on clean clothing.
How do the Amish dry their clothes in the winter? ›
In other words, being frozen doesn't keep water from evaporating out of clothing. Many Amish families take advantage of this fact, Williams said, but others prefer to hang their clothing indoors in the winter. They may hang clotheslines out of the way in the basem*nt or arrange drying racks over wood-burning stoves.
Do the Amish use refrigerators? ›
So, the Amish can use power sources such as solar, propane, and diesel. These rules allow many modern appliances to be used, such as refrigerators. In addition, generators or batteries are allowed by the Amish. Phones are not permitted in the home but are commonly used for business purposes.
Do Amish pasteurize their milk? ›
I know that everyone has heard of drinking unpasteurized milk or maybe even drank it. But, did you know the Amish drink unpasteurized milk everyday!!! The Crockett Cooner here again at The Amish of Ethridge, I've done a little research on Amish milk and here is the cream that floated to the top...
How did people freeze meat before electricity? ›
In climates that experience freezing temperatures, freezing was an obvious method of preservation. Food was buried underground or in the snow for preservation throughout the winter. This method led to the construction of “icehouses” or “iceboxes” for storage until the 1800's when artificial refrigeration was invented.
How to keep food cold with no power? ›
Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep an 18 cubic foot, fully stocked freezer cold for two days.
