Bernard O'Shea: Can I feed my family for a week without using the fridge? 

Is the refrigerator a clear sign that modern convenience has spoiled us – literally and figuratively? This led me down an unexpectedly frosty rabbit hole: how long could one realistically go without using this chilly convenience?

Bernard O'Shea. Photograph Moya Nolan

Science reveals that food preservation is a battle with bacteria, with perishable items like leftover pizza being prime targets. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland recommends keeping fridge temperatures between 0°C and 5°C, echoing the USDA's warning that perishables over 4°C for more than two hours enter the 'Danger Zone' of rapid bacterial growth.

Rewinding to the pre-fridge era, people used iceboxes, root cellars, and other creative methods for food cooling. This was a risky endeavour, often losing the fight against bacteria.