We all need a lot of storage space, but seldom do we know what we’re supposed to do with all that space, and we tend to store everything till the space is overloaded. We may do this with the freezer too, which bears the brunt of us not wanting to waste food products. However, we often turn a blind eye to the importance of freezer safety for our health as well as the life of the appliance.
We store a lot of products in our freezers, from fruits, vegetables, dairy to almost every other item that we consume. So, how are you supposed to make sure that all of this is edible when you take it out days, weeks, or even months later? Here are few freezer safety tips that you can consider to make sure the food you’re eating out of the freezer has its nutritional values intact.
1. Packing the food
Leave as less free air as possible in the containers by removing the air from freezer bags before you seal them and place them in the freezer. Thus, understanding the size of the container is extremely important. Always make sure to wrap baked items tightly in a foil before they go into the freezer bags. The packaging received in the store is not ideal for freezer storage and will not hold for a very long duration. For storing large quantities of food, it is advised to divide it into smaller portions and store in small containers. Try to cool hot food quickly before it goes into the freezer by placing it on a pan of cold water or ice. Make sure to label the food even if you believe you’re going to consume it in a few days.
2. Thawing the food
A very important aspect of freezer safety is the condition of food when it is being placed in the freezer. Only baked goods like muffins and breads can be thawed at room temperature. Consider thawing everything else in the fridge. An important thing to note with dairy foods is that while it is possible to thaw milk, it might separate a little. Thus, food items like cheese might lose the texture and become crumbly but retain its taste. They will be ideal for sprinkling on food products only.
3. Understanding the duration
Not all food products can be stored for months. However, some products can be stored for up to a year. It is important to know everything about the food you’re keeping in the freezer. For maximum freezer safety, soups and stews should not be stored for more than a couple of months. For any food that you cannot find the information for, trust your natural instincts. If the food smells foul, you should throw it out rather than use it in cooking.
These tips will help you practice good freezer safety to protect you and your family’s health.