How To Care For Live Lobsters

When you order a fresh lobster, it’s an investment, and you want to ensure you get as much out of it as possible. Let’s take a look at how to store live lobster and keep it fresher for longer.

How Not to Store Live Lobster

An important part of caring for lobsters includes understanding what not to do. To store your lobster and maximize freshness, you should not:

• Place the lobster in the freezer: Subzero temperatures will kill it and cause it to lose freshness.
• Keep the lobster in fresh water: Fresh water, like tap or mineral water, is toxic to ocean creatures like lobsters.
• Seal it in an airtight container: Sealing a live lobster in an oxygen-free environment will suffocate it and ruin your investment.
• Store them for 48 hours or longer: Lobsters start losing freshness and quality within 24 to 36 hours of leaving the ocean.

How to Keep a Lobster Alive

For the best results and freshest seafood, it’s best to cook and eat the lobster the same day it arrives. However, we know that isn’t always possible, so here’s how to care for a lobster for 24 hours. High-quality lobster may last for 36 to 48 hours, but cooking it within a day is the best way to ensure the best possible quality and flavor.

1. Keep it in a Temperature-Controlled Environment

When you order a live lobster(opens in a new tab) from James Hook & Co., it will arrive in an insulated Styrofoam box with gel packs and seaweed. This approach keeps the lobster cool and calm, and helps it to live longer. You can extend this effect by placing the lobster in your refrigerator or replacing the ice packs with fresh ones. You should maintain a temperature of 36-40°F, which is optimal for keeping the lobster sleepy without killing it. Your fridge’s crisper drawer is often ideal for this.

2. Keep it Moist

While you shouldn’t keep a lobster in fresh water, a dry lobster is a dead lobster. You must keep it moist during the complete storage period if you want it to stay fresh. You can use a moist paper towel to lightly cover the lobster, or you can use moist seaweed. Whichever option you choose, check the lobster every four to six hours to ensure it’s still moist enough. If necessary, mist your chosen covering to restore moisture levels.