Photo: from open sources
It is important to avoid some mistakes when storing food in the freezer
Learning how to store food properly is one of the best ways to save money, reduce waste, and enjoy leftovers later. It is important to avoid some mistakes when storing food in the freezer. This is reported by the Eating Well website.
Do not seal products
Vacuum sealers are the best for packing food in the freezer. If you don’t have any, wrap the food first in plastic wrap, then in foil and place in a freezer bag.
Freezing “forbidden” foods
Raw vegetables such as lettuce, cucumbers and zucchini should not be frozen. Due to their high water content, they will turn into a puree once defrosted.
Other ingredients that should not be in the freezer include soft cheese and raw eggs.
Not cleaning the freezer regularly
You should clean your freezer twice a year. If you package your food correctly, fruits and vegetables can be stored for 8-12 months, poultry – 6-9 months, fish – 3-6 and minced meat for 3-4 months.
By cleaning regularly, you can avoid food waste and use up anything near its expiration date.
Putting hot items in the freezer
The key to food safety is the correct temperature. Food should be cooled to room temperature before being placed in the freezer.
Placing warm or hot food may raise the temperature and create conditions for bacteria to grow.
Defrosting at room temperature
It is best to defrost food by leaving it in the refrigerator overnight to keep it in a safe temperature zone.
You can also put the food in a ziplock bag and immerse it in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the food is defrosted. For the microwave method, defrost in 1 minute intervals until defrosted.
Freezer is too full or empty
Your freezer will perform best if it is well stocked but not overcrowded. It is important that cold air can bypass the stored items.
If the appliance is full, cook with food from the freezer for a while to free up space.
