How often have we found mouldy old vegetables hidden in the back of the fridge that have to be thrown away? Unfortunately the answer for most of us is far too often....
The LarderBox was designed to reduce domestic food waste by promoting behavioral change in the user. Through the use of traditional food storage techniques fruit and vegetables can retain their nutritional properties and taste the best they can for as long as possible. Stunning displays can be made from food allowing the user to visually asses the health of their produce and eat the fruit and vegetables accordingly. If done correctly this could create a culture of users who are more in touch with the food they eat and ultimately produce less food waste.
Traditional Storage Techniques / Free up Fridge Space
Dark Drawers
Store dark loving produce such as potatoes and onions in the dark drawers. The lack of light will stop them from sprouting and make them last as long as possible. Storing these types of produce in the fridge can cause them to turn soft and accelerate their deterioration.
Verical Vegetables
By allowing vegetables to rest in their natural vertical position stress and bruising can be reduced. By keeping them in a medium such as sand, gravel or soil they can be kept humid. Occasional watering can lengthen life further. Each item is seperated from its neighbour which slows the contamination from bacteria and mould.
Herbs, Salads and Hollow Stems
Storing this type of produce like a flower can drastically increase the life. Cutting a thin slice from the bottom of the stem and standing in fresh water will allow the plant to take water up the stem keeping it firm and healthy. Storing herbs and salad in the fridge is a common misconception; they will actually last much longer using this technique.
Warm Climate Vegetables
Mediterranean vegetables can suffer severe chill damage when stored in the fridge which will affect the taste, texture and nutritional qualities. The vegetable compartment is suspended over a water tray allowing water to evaporate throughout the day keeping the skin of the produce healthy, hydrated and firm.
Firm Fruit
Many types of fruit suffer from chill damage when stored in the fridge which affects the taste, texture and nutritional qualities. The fruit compartment is suspended over a water tray allowing water to evaporate throughout the day keeping the skin of the produce healthy, hydrated and firm. Keeping the water trays topped up will lengthen the life of the fruit and help users to understand how best to look after their food. The additional hanging space is perfect for those high ethylene producers like bannanas.
Leaf Drawer
Bagged salad is the single most wasted item with 35% being thrown away because it has gone off. Stop your salad turning slimy by spreading it out on the leaf drawer. The moisture will drain below the netting keeping the leaves hydrated but not too wet. The result will be long lasting leaves instead of slimy leaves in a bag.
Storage Rack
The space created between the top profiles is perfect as an additional storage location. Whatever sits on this rack will be provided with ventilation on all sides which is beneficial to all types of fruit and vegetable. The rack also serves perfectly as a spot to ripen up your fruit. Recommended produce include eggs, avocados, citrus fruits, pears and tomatoes.
Technical Testing
Day 1
Day 4
Day 7
After 7 days of testing all of the produce in the LarderBox was still looking fresh and healthy. Much of the produce, especially the Mediterranean vegetables, salads and herbs which had survived significantly better than when stored in the fridge.
Both of the aubergines were stored out of the fridge for a week. The one on the left on the kitchen table and the one on the right was suspended over water tray in the LarderBox. The improvements are evident.
Prototyping
The LarderBox went through numerous rounds of low fidelity prototyping, refinement and testing before the current design was achieved. Through the prototyping process the size, shape and type of compartments was established
CAD model
When I had settled on a final design I made the CAD model on solidworks. The 2D profiles were then sent to the laser cutter ready to be assembled.
CAD model of all pieces
Exploded view of the body
Exploded view of the drawers
Final prototype
The final prototype is made from 9mm high grade plywood, finished with beeswax and held together with 6mm threaded bar.
