Freezing foods is an easy and convenient way to store foods but a lot of people send food to the freezer, never to be used or seen again (until they get thrown away)! Make your freezer work for you with our Tips to Freezer Success.
Here are our top tips for freezer success:
- Cool foods completely before freezing – you can refrigerate then freeze too!
- Pack leftover in smaller containers! This makes food freeze faster and reduces the need to thaw more food than necessary
- Label & Date your packages and containers – don’t waste food by having to throw food away because you don’t know how old it is!
- Keep an inventory of your freezer items. Don’t forget about freezer meals!
- Don’t pack too tight! Make sure there is room for air to flow in your freezer, this helps maintain proper and even temperatures.
- FDA recommends your freezer be set at 0 degrees F.
Another important part is managing your freezer properly:
- Place your freezer in a cool, dry area where the temperature is constant.
- Keep your freezer at least ¾ full for efficient operation.
- Continue to use and replace foods. Do not simply store them.
- Open the freezer door as rarely as possible.
- Make proper use of energy saving features on your freezer.
- Keep door seals clean and check for proper sealing. Replace when necessary.
- Defrost manual freezers regularly.
- Keep the condenser coils clean.
Make sure you’re packaging you goods well, good packaging material should have the following characteristics:
- Moisture/vapor-proof or at least moisture resistant.
- Made of food grade material, i.e. designed to be used for food products.
- Durable and leakproof.
- Doesn’t become brittle and crack at low temperatures.
- Resistant to oil, grease or water.
- Protect foods from off flavors and odors.
- Easy to fill and seal.
- Easy to mark and store.
Join Jocelin as she shows you the basics on freezing your food!
Click below to download a printable freezer storage chart from the FDA so you know how long that food in your freezer is good for!
Food-Safety- FreezerFridge Storage Chart
Sources:
Food Freezing Guide – North Dakota State University
