In the Middle Ages, meat was often preserved by hanging it behind an open hearth, where cool, steady smoke would dry it, kill bacteria, and repel insects.

Hollow trees were used in the medieval countryside as impromptu storage units for perishable items like cheese, dried meat, and apples, as well as valuables and herbal remedies.

Medieval people used "stone cooling shelves," thick slabs of stone built into shaded walls, particularly north-facing sides, to absorb cooler temperatures and preserve food like milk, butter, and meats.