A Fix for Freezer Storage

A Fix for Freezer Storage. Never know what's in your freezer, what to ditch and what to keep? Check out these tips. Fill at least one half of your freezer. This helps avoid frost. Designate a day of the month. Look food over for freezer burn, check expiration dates and sort through leftovers. Separate oversize bags into smaller, portion—or meal—-size bags to store. If you're into meal planning, label them with a day and meal. How to freezer sauces, soups and liquids. Allow the food to freeze flat in a freezer bag. Then stand up the frozen, flattened bags in a magazine file or other container to present the bags from slipping out. Instantly declutter the space. Skip bulky boxes and place frozen items directly into freezer bins. Cut out cooking directions and expiration dates and attach to the items. Need a more detailed tracking system? Use your phone to keep a list of what's in your freezer every time you purchase groceries. Do you have a bottom freezer? Use the top drawer to stash fro-yo, gelato and other frozen desserts. Hint: never stash these in the door—the open/shut cycle can cause a melt/freeze cycle. Label it right away. Never put something in the freezer without a note about contents and expiration. Masking tape and a Sharpie are easy, inexpensive helpers. How do you like to organize? What works for you may not be what works for others. Group by meal or food type (produce, baking supplies), for example. Group treats and baking supplies together. Keep them in a drawer, away from bulkier proteins and frozen meals. Not into too many freezer details? Write the contents on the inside of the freezer door or interior with a dry-erase marker. Should you even freeze it? Don't if doing so would ruin it? (A good example? High-moisture-content food such as lettuce.)
A Fix for Freezer Storage. Never know what's in your freezer, what to ditch and what to keep? Check out these tips. Fill at least one half of your freezer. This helps avoid frost. Designate a day of the month. Look food over for freezer burn, check expiration dates and sort through leftovers. Separate oversize bags into smaller, portion—or meal—-size bags to store. If you're into meal planning, label them with a day and meal. How to freezer sauces, soups and liquids. Allow the food to freeze flat in a freezer bag. Then stand up the frozen, flattened bags in a magazine file or other container to present the bags from slipping out. Instantly declutter the space. Skip bulky boxes and place frozen items directly into freezer bins. Cut out cooking directions and expiration dates and attach to the items. Need a more detailed tracking system? Use your phone to keep a list of what's in your freezer every time you purchase groceries. Do you have a bottom freezer? Use the top drawer to stash fro-yo, gelato and other frozen desserts. Hint: never stash these in the door—the open/shut cycle can cause a melt/freeze cycle. Label it right away. Never put something in the freezer without a note about contents and expiration. Masking tape and a Sharpie are easy, inexpensive helpers. How do you like to organize? What works for you may not be what works for others. Group by meal or food type (produce, baking supplies), for example. Group treats and baking supplies together. Keep them in a drawer, away from bulkier proteins and frozen meals. Not into too many freezer details? Write the contents on the inside of the freezer door or interior with a dry-erase marker. Should you even freeze it? Don't if doing so would ruin it? (A good example? High-moisture-content food such as lettuce.)

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