Are you ready to dive into the frozen mysteries of the kitchen? Today, we will tackle what’s down below (or above, beside, etc., whatever your system may be.) I hope it hasn’t been a while since you’ve opened your freezer. Let’s focus on freezer storage.
Hopefully, you’ve read my previous post, so your fridge insides should be in absolute mint condition. In case you don’t have a fridge made for champions, I highly suggest giving that post a read, and your space will be immaculate.
Before we go head-first into these undiscovered arctic depths, I’ll lay out some basic tips for you to get you started. It’s time to finally clean out those skeletons! Hopefully you don’t physically have any, or else you’ll have a bigger problem on your hands.
Helpful Hints for Freezer Storage
Clean and Defrost Freezer Regularly
Ideally, you’ll want to do this about every 3 months. We will cover more of this later in the article.
Freeze While It’s Fresh
I always stock up on fruits and veggies when they’re in season and freeze them for later use. You’ll always have a fresh supply on hand, and it makes cooking, baking, and prepping so much easier.
Group Similar Items Together
I get lazy sometimes too. I get it. Try to store similar items together, such as fruits with fruits, meat with meat, etc. It’ll make your treasure hunt so much smoother.
Freeze by Serving Size
We all love the “grab and go” method! If you’re purchasing value packs of chicken, for example, freeze individual breasts in resealable bags. For an easy meal, you can also freeze individual servings of leftovers too.
Get Rid of Boxes for Optimal Freezer Storage
They waste so much space. Some brands even have the instructions on the bag itself, which makes this tip so much better. If it doesn’t, you can always write the instructions on a Ziploc bag or keep it on a piece of paper on the fridge.
If you’re able to take out the shelving, you can do this as well to make storing easier.
Optional: Invest in Storage Bins
If you have a knack for aesthetics and organization, bins will really help spice up your space.
I know no one posts pictures of their freezer on Instagram or Facebook, so looks probably don’t really matter that much. But hey, maybe you can be the first and start a trend? Bins will help sort and keep things nice and clean for you.
Use Proper Freezer Containers and Use Labels
Not all containers and storage are freezer-safe, so double check this before using them. Clear containers and bags are your best friends here. A dry erase marker works really well for labeling.
Embrace Your Inner Metal Head and Suffocate Your Food
Remove as much air as you can out of bags and containers before sticking them in there. Freezer burn is really nasty in my opinion.
Keep Freezer Inventory
There are a couple of different things you can do here. You can write the date you froze the food on the actual package. Try to keep the newer items at the top so you’ll grab them first.
I keep a notebook in my kitchen where I write down what I froze and the date I threw it in there. Anything that gets used, I cross off the list.
Cool It Down
Random fact, but these words should never be uttered to an angry person.
I know it can be tempting to stick it in there when it’s hot and heavy, but don’t do it. Only freeze food that’s been brought down to room temperature.
Pro Tip: Don’t Open Freezer if the Power Is Out
It’s a situation that no one likes to be in. Food will keep for around 1-2 days if the electricity happens to go kaboom. I know it’s tempting to drown your sorrows in ice cream as you sit in the darkness, but don’t open the door. Again, DO NOT open the door. You’ll let all the cold air escape and you risk spoiling your food.
What Can I Stick in There?
The simple answer is a lot, but not everything. For more in-depth information, check out my article on what can and can’t go in the freezer. As an added bonus, you’ll also learn about batch cooking which can be a huge time saver.
Got a sweet tooth? I’ve also created an article for storing baked goods.
Thaw Me, Baby!
You cooked it. You froze it. Awesome. But… now what? Thawing is pretty straightforward. Baked goods and bread you can thaw at room temperature. Everything else should just head straight into the fridge. I usually thaw stuff overnight.
Don’t mess around though. Do it safely.
A Quick Cleaning Guide for Optimal Freezer Storage
Let’s give your freezer some TLC. Consult your manual first; hopefully you haven’t already thrown it out. Some appliances may already come with a guide that shows you optimal cleaning tips and ways to defrost. If you’re not sure how to do that, no worries, we will cover it a bit.
Get That Garbage Outta Here
That, my dear friends, is a lovely quote from one of my favourite basketball announcers (Jack Armstrong).
Empty and dispose of any nonsense you don’t need. That includes old food you’ll never eat, anything past expiry, your ex’s skeleton, etc. Whatever food or other mysterious items you wish to keep, should be placed in a freezer or cooler bag/bin until you’re finished the cleaning process.
Unplug the Freezer From Its Life Support
A savage but necessary step. What happens when electricity meets water? Exactly… Do you wish to die today?
Grab the Cleaning Crew
Take out any shelving or removable parts. Wash them with warm, soapy water. Let them dry or towel dry them if you want to stick them back in immediately.
Clean the entire interior with an all-purpose cleaner and a cloth. If you have any extra intense stains, you will have to soak them in your cleaning solution of choice and scrub-a-dub-dub.
I personally prefer cleaning with a 50% water and 50% vinegar solution. The last thing I want is chemical cleaners near my food, but do what you think is best! Consult your manual just in case there are any “no go” substances that may ruin your precious appliance.
Wipe Dry
Wipe everything as dry as you possibly can to avoid ice buildup. If you haven’t already, put back any dry shelving and parts that you have removed.
Clean the Exterior
Wash any external surfaces with a cloth and warm, soapy water or your cleaning solution.
Revive It and Show Off Your Freezer Storage Skills
Plug it back in so it can have its life back. Fill it up with any food you’ve taken out. Now, have a feast and celebrate your hard work!
How to Defrost the Freezer
I highly recommend following the steps above and clean out your freezer first. It’ll be a less daunting task. You can also clean one day, and do the defrost for another day as it can potentially take hours.
Transfer Food to a Cooler Bag or Bin
Again, this will be much easier if your freezer has already been cleaned out. If it hasn’t been, then discard what you don’t want or need.
Unplug the Freezer
If your fridge and freezer are connected, don’t open your fridge during this time. Any food that’s in there will stay cold, and it’s not necessary to remove it.
Wait for the Ice to Soften
This step may test your patience. If you don’t feel like waiting, you can fill pots with boiling water and stick them in the empty freezer.
Scrape Ice With Spatula
Scrape away any ice with either a spatula or another blunt tool. Don’t use anything sharp, as you could damage your appliance.
Remove and Wipe Away Any Ice That Has Fallen
It’s pretty straightforward. Since this whole procedure can be pretty time-consuming, I’ve added some tips below to prevent ice buildup.
Fill Freezer Back Up
Self-explanatory. Grab a beer to celebrate. You deserve it!
Prevent Ice Buildup
- Keep the freezer temperature at -18°C
- Keep the doors closed as much as possible
- Organize it as best you can = less opening and closing the door
- Bring food to room temperature before storing
- Food should be dry. Pat down anything that has extra moisture
Congratulations on Your Newly Organized Appliance
While the fridge has an actual science behind placement and storage, the freezer does not.
Think of the freezer as more of a Type B personality. It’s super chill, both literally and metaphorically. The only vital rule is that you shouldn’t overpack it or underpack it. Air needs to circulate around your food, just like in the fridge, so keep it decently full. Other than that, it’s basically a free for all.
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