If you are going to freeze the crab in the shell, only cook it 1/2 way. Than finish it, in Boiling water when you are ready to eat it. Or cook it completely, remove the meat and vac pak. But truthfully, for me, fresh is a right off the boat and into the pot. BTW I clean my crab completely before cook it. Cut in 1/2, remove the shell and guts and then cook it. So much easier to eat! It will stay well in your fridge a 2 days after cleaned.