Shipping Oysters

outdoor.spec.ops · 06-27-2007, 01:56 PM

Anyone ever shipped a bushel of Oysters? I am planning on taking a bushel for the inlaws while I am on vacation. I plan on having some dry ice in a vented cooler. Cardboard to seperate the oysters from direct contact with the dry ice. Any other ideas or concerns? I will fly Southwest.

Thanks

O.S.O.

Chrome Bumper · 06-27-2007, 02:11 PM

Dry ice might be a little harsh.

"To ship by air, we package oysters in wetlock boxes with liners and gel ice. We also can use insulated Styrofoam boxes"-silverpointoyzterdotcom

Same from other wholesalers. Also check with the airline about carrying cryogenics, dry ice is cold enough to weaken metal, increases in volume as it warms, like 80,000%, and it displaces oyxgen.

Wyndknot · 06-27-2007, 02:15 PM

You may want to check with Southwests cargo desk. I have made several shipments of frozen fish via Alaska and they restricted each carton to less than 5lbs dry ice and I needed to sign a declaration stating I complied. It was several years ago so maybe it's different now but it's worth inquiring.

outdoor.spec.ops · 06-27-2007, 02:31 PM

Thanks for the info. I did verify about the dry ice, and it is the same as it was a few years back when I shipped some whitetail steaks back. The cooler must be vented, meaning the drain cap open to release the pressure. No more than 5lbs of dry ice.

I like the idea of using regular ice, but its so heavy and takes up a lot of room. I don't know where to get the "gel packs" I will kick the idea around a bit more. I will have to make a barrier between the dry ice and oysters for sure.

Are the cargo areas pressurized on the planes? I wonder how an oyster would do in a non pressuruized area? Worst case I have a bushel of stink bombs?

Chrome Bumper · 06-27-2007, 02:40 PM

Put a layer of ice between the dryice and cardboard. And don't go crazy with the dryice or you will have oystercicels. Talk to the stewardist. They have dry ice to keep the ice from thawing in the coolers and to keep the beverages cold in the plane with you. I hope the CO2 doesn't suffocate them, but i'de risk it.

They'de have to be in there a long time to go stinky. If they lose your luggage for a week it would serve them right.

Jeremy · 06-27-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outdoor.spec.ops

Are the cargo areas pressurized on the planes? I wonder how an oyster would do in a non pressuruized area? Worst case I have a bushel of stink bombs?

Probably about as good as a dog does in the cargo area of an airplane, comes out freezing cold but still under pressure or you would have a big mess

larryb · 06-27-2007, 03:38 PM

why pay to ship shells when you could get a fresh gallon of oysters and ship them.

Chrome Bumper · 06-27-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryb

why pay to ship shells when you could get a fresh gallon of oysters and ship them.

Because without the shell they fall through the grill when you BBQ them? LOL

Hell-B · 06-27-2007, 05:22 PM

Gel packs are the answer. You can buy "blue ice" or the equivalent at sporting goods store. Real ice doesn"t fly. Think about shipping as freight. It stays in the cold of the airplane and into a cold storage area. Alaska does special stuff with fish maybe others too.

Chrome Bumper · 06-27-2007, 09:08 PM

Last time I checked ice the cargo handlers pulled it out and dumped it. Dry ice would keep it from getting all soggy though maybe. How bout getting some blue ice, cooling it to 60 below with dry ice and go from there? Once its at 30,000 feet it stays cool.

AuntyM · 06-28-2007, 12:52 PM

Taylor Shellfish Farms (Best in the NW) will ship oysters and other shellfish for you. The small ones are $7.00 a dozen. It might pay to check it out?

OK Deal Let\'s Fish · 06-28-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuntyM

Taylor Shellfish Farms (Best in the NW) will ship oysters and other shellfish for you. The small ones are $7.00 a dozen. It might pay to check it out?

Wouldn't techni-ice work?

RascallyRabbit · 06-29-2007, 08:23 AM

Years ago I had to transport some fish I had caught in Uclulet from Portland to Norfolk Virginia. It was short notice and we couldn't find any dry ice. So my dad lined the inside a of large cooler with styrofoam, then we layered in the fish and ice, and he finished it off with a good layer of ducktape around the lid to seal it. Now for the fun part, we were delayed for almost 2 days enroute, because of a Hurricane on the east coast. When we finally got home and opened the cooler I was expecting a big mess! But instead I found that none of the ice had melted and the fish were rock hard! I still have the kooler, and it sit's in the front of my sled, and gets put to good use alot :smile:

Steve/RR

Hell-B · 06-29-2007, 06:31 PM

Not sure about all airlines, but Alaska definitely allows NO regular ice. Dry ice is allowed in small amounts. The blue or techno ice would work.