"Boron Elgar" > wrote in message
...
> My kitchen is not air conditioned. It can get really hot with its
> eastern and southern exposures and it is difficult to keep fresh fruit
> around, as the heat can make things go from not quite ripe to -uh-oh,
> chuck it - overnight. We do not buy in large amounts, either.
>
> Lowest level of the house is of no benefit. Fridge storage is ok for
> some things, but not for others.
>
> I have been keeping a cooler in the kitchen the past couple of weeks
> and placing the fruit in there with a few ice packs. I change the ice
> packs daily.
>
> It seems like it's silly and a bother, but we get to eat the bananas
> and stone fruits before they are brown mush.
>
> Anyone else have any idea of what we can do?

Buy a little fridge? You should be able to get one for around $50-60 now
with the back to school sales. Maybe less. I got one for about $40 a
couple of years ago. Or maybe it was last year. Can't remember.

I once had a produce keeper that was electric. Kept stuff cooler than room
temp. but not quite as cool as the fridge and perfect humidity. Worked
perfectly for a few months then died. Online reviews indicated that mine
worked better than most. Those quit working after days or weeks. Those are
no longer being made.