CHAPTER 4: CHOOSING AND USING FREEZER CONTAINERS AND FREEZER BAGS
Freezer burn is one of the worst things that can happen to foods stored in the freezer. We have all see it, but what exactly IS freezer burn, and what are the best ways to prevent it?
Freezer burn occurs when thousands of tiny water molecules turn into ice crystals within the food. This event causes the food to lose moisture and to take on a "parched" and shriveled look.
Not only does the water escape and freeze, but also, oxygen gets into the pores of your food, causing the once-bright color to fade and the flavor to vanish.
Good food wrapping and storing can help freezer burn become a things of the past so that you can throw away less food. Proper storage in containers or bags suited for the freezer are two of your best weapons for fighting freezer burn. The expense of plastic containers and proper food storage wrap and bags may seem like a lot of money when you are on a tight budget, but the truth is that they can be seen as an investment, especially if you plan to use them over and over again and treat them carefully.
There are a number of things to look for in a proper freezer container so that it will do its job and last a long time:
* Air tight
Make sure your container has a good locking system and a rubber gasket or a tight seal that goes all the way around the top in order to seal out air and moisture. This will slow the process of spoiling and also keep the contents inside fresh for a longer period of time because it locks air out of the container and locks freshness in. If the lids do not fit will, consider covering over the top of the container with plastic wrap and then sealing. Even if the cover is a little loose, the clinginess of the plastic wrap can help create a tight seal on top of the container.
* Different sizes
The wider the variety of sizes you have, the less space you waste. By filling a container up as much as possible, though making sure it does not overflow, there is less room for air inside the container, which is what can help trigger the spoilage process with foods. Having different sizes also makes it convenient to stack, store and save different products, and to be able to locate what you are looking for more easily.
* Easy marking surface
A surface that is easy to mark, erase, and mark again is extremely important. Having a good writing surface makes it easy to label what is in each container, especially if the containers are not clear. This also aids in organizing your pantry and freezer, since you can put like items together and even alphabetize them if you would like. If you can’t find a good surface to write on, you can use a streak of chalkboard paint around the container and/or on the lid to make marking easier. You can also use sticky labels and a pen or pencil. Keeping a list of what you have cooked and the date will also help you find what you are looking for and ensure that nothing goes to waste.
* Stacking ability
Many containers these days have locking lids, which means your foods will stack more safely as you lock the bottom of one container into the lid of the other. This is a great way to keep foods together and also keep your freezer from becoming a jungle of mangled frozen foods.
* Square or rectangular shape
A round container is not as stable and tends to fall. Frozen plastic can break easily. To save money on your plastic ware, treat it as you would breakable glass to avoid cracking and any food getting exposed to the air in the freezer.
* Mix and match sizes but differently colored lids
Using differently colored lids in a color-coded system will help you locate what you need more quickly, saving you time and money. You will leave the freezer open less searching for what you need, and therefore keep the food at the right temperature most of the time, avoiding partial thawing and freezer burn. This will also save you money. Think about a color scheme that makes sense to you, such as red for meat and green for vegetables.
* All-purpose containers
Make sure the containers are freezer to microwave safe to table safe. Some containers are good for storage but not sturdy enough to hold up to the microwave. Glass containers with rubber covers will have the advantage of being able to go from oven to freezer to table, but the rubber covers will eventually crack or wear out due to freezing even with careful handling. Glass containers they can also be wrapped well in freezer wrap. If you need to reheat anything in the oven, simply unwrap and pop in the oven.
The main disadvantage of glass containers is that they will be heavier than plastic and can break if dropped. But they are also more sturdy than plastic and a good choice if you are interested in green issues and want to reduce the amount of plastics you use to lower your carbon footprint (see our series of green guides for more information on going green easily in your family).
A good container makes all of the difference when storing your food in your pantry or freezer. If you don’t have a set of decent quality containers, go to the local store and shop carefully, thinking not just in terms of price, but size, color and versatility. Just remember, they don’t have to be expensive in order to meet all of the criteria.
As for freezer bags, aim for sturdy reusable ones. The ones with the zippers come in a range of sizes and can be perfect for storing a wide variety of foods. To be certain you are preserving your meat well, for instance, you can bring the package home from your shopping trip and slip it right into a freezer bag to give extra protection against freezer burn. Do not reuse bags that have come into contact with raw meat, particularly poultry. Instead, you might want to take the meat out of the original packaging and wrap in plastic, then put in the freezer bag.
Freezer bags also work well for storing your own fruits, vegetables, and make-ahead muffins. Look for ones that are clear and have a surface on which you can write. You might also want to find ones with different colored zippers to help keep track of what you have inside. Or, use a sticky label and pen to keep track of the contents. You might think you will remember what you have put in each bag, but the longer you keep your freezer door open, the more the quality of your frozen food can become compromised.
Once you have your containers, pens, labels and freezer bags organized, it is time to start meal planning and then cooking. Let’s look next at the kinds of meals that work well when you make them and then freeze them in advance.