Plan to cook live lobsters on the day they arrive. Cool, damp and ventilated storage helps until cooking; it does not guarantee that lobsters will survive overnight.
Open and check your delivery
Open the package promptly. Check that everything you ordered is present and that the lobsters are alive. Cold lobsters can be less active, so check for movement carefully. If something is missing or a lobster appears unresponsive, take photos and contact customer support promptly for help.
Keep them cool damp and ventilated
- Refrigerate promptly and follow the care instructions included with your order.
- If the shipping container fits, keep the lobsters inside it in the refrigerator. Otherwise use a ventilated container with the supplied seaweed or a damp covering.
- Keep them out of standing water and melting ice. Gel packs can help keep the container cool.
- Keep the container out of direct sunlight.
Do not put live lobsters in tap water, seal them in an airtight container or freeze them for storage.
Cook on arrival day
Some lobsters may survive an additional day under ideal storage conditions, but overnight storage is a risk even with excellent care. Choose your delivery date for the day you intend to cook.
Handle them by the body
Keep the claw bands on while handling. Lift a lobster by its body behind the claws, rather than by its claws or tail. Keep fingers away from the underside of the tail and sharp shell edges. Use tongs or heat-safe gloves when moving hot lobsters.
Get your kitchen ready
Set out a pot with room for the number and size of lobsters you are cooking. Read the live lobster cooking guide before starting, then follow the directions for your chosen method.
