This is the time of year when you want to be able to use every square centimetre of freezer space. A well-organised freezer at Christmas helps with the smooth running of the kitchen. Here are 5 easy things to do now, so you can get ahead.
Sort out and label your food
Get rid of any out-of-date items. Label and date the food you keep, especially any leftovers or batch cooking. Plan your meals if you can and regularly rotate your food.
Use freezer proof containers and bags
Freezing food in portions will make it easier to fit in. Store food in square or rectangle freezer containers which stack well and take up less space. Shallower containers are best for sauces as they freeze faster.
If you don’t have containers, seal food in clear plastic freezer bags. Gusseted freezer bags open into a box shape that’s easier to fill and store. Storing food this way won’t just make things faster to find. It will also help prevent freezer ‘burn’, which damages food when it isn’t properly packed and sealed.
Organise your freezer shelves
Make the most of space in your freezer by creating ‘zones’ for similar types of food – such as meat/fish or fruit and veg – using the shelves, baskets, dividers and drawers.
Put the most regularly used items at the top or front
Sounds simple! It’s a good idea to keep the food you eat most often in the most accessible place. Placing it where you’ll see it first means you won’t forget it’s there.
If you have a chest freezer or deep freezer drawers, store items vertically (ie stand boxes on their ends instead of flat on top of each other), so you can easily see what you have – like scanning a shelf of books. Do this in smaller freezer bins and baskets if it helps.
Don’t be tempted to overfill the freezer
Packing your freezer too full means the air inside can’t move freely. This makes it harder for your freezer to work efficiently at the recommended -18°C degrees or below. But don’t leave your freezer empty either. Freezers work best when they’re at least three-quarters full.
If you think that what you really need is a new or replacement freezer, we can help. Browse the range and give us a call 01252 623163 But most importantly chill out this Christmas and enjoy yourself!
