Be sure to refrigerate, or prepare your clams to eat upon receiving your order. They may be refrigerated for up to 2 days in an open container covered with a clean damp cloth. Live clams should be cooked within 48 hours of delivery. Live and healthy clams should have it's shell closed tightly.  To tell if a clam is live with it's shell is slightly open give it a tap on it's shell. Live clams will quickly snap shut.  Discard any dead clams before preparation.  You may wish to scrub your clams with a hard brush before preparing.  Cooked clams can be refrigerated up to 72 hours at 40°F.  Some recipes call for opening the clams before they are baked or broiled. If you need to open the clam, place it in the freezer for about ten minutes. The cold will make it easier to open but keep in mind this will kill the clam. Only do this with clams you are ready to cook. The live clams we sell are packaged in a sryrofome cooler with gel packs frozen at sub-zero temperatures.  This means your Little Neck Clams will be well refrigerated until delivery to insure they are live and fresh.