I understand that sometimes we’d like to hang on some food items for longer due to their incredible taste, but we need to be realistic about everything we choose to freeze. If a food item is about to go bad, then just throw it away!
You defrost the food items at room temperature
©WikiHow
If you are trying to defrost poultry, meat, and seafood on the countertop, then you risk having bacteria growing all over it before the food is not even thawed yet.
Instead, you need to make a plan and put the food in the fridge the day before you are willing to cook or consume them. This is the only way to help your food defrost safely and slowly without risking making it a breeding home for bacteria.
Opening the freezer’s door during power outages
©Compact Appliance
If the power goes out, don’t open your freezer or your fridge at all!
Basically, if the door of the freezer remained closed, then it will retain a cold temperature for a few hours. Don’t check the food until the power comes back on, and if any food item started defrosting, then try to consume it as soon as possible. Otherwise, just toss it out!
But in case they remained frozen, then there is nothing you can worry about… Just remember to keep the doors shut!
The freezer is too full or too empty
©Foodsafety.asn.au
When your freezer is too empty, then it is less efficient. The reason is when you open your almost-full freezer, the bags of frozen food will stop the temperature from rising dramatically.
On the other hand, you shouldn’t be backing your freezer to the point there is no space for air to circulate properly.
So when you are packing up your freezer, then make sure it is not that full, but also not that empty. Just fill it with enough food for a specific amount of time, and don’t forget to add the ice cream in there!
You don’t label things
©Shape
You can’t tell us that you remember exactly what each pack you have placed inside your freezer contains, especially if you use the same containers, zip locks or bags. It can easily get tricky because you will not be able to tell between the pasta sauce and the marinara sauce.
This is why you need to start labeling things before you store them to avoid any confusion by using a marker or a masking tape – It is a fun process, anyway!
You don’t date things
©Jamie Oliver
Eventually, all the frozen food will start losing their texture and taste, even if they are stored perfectly in the freezer.
In order to guarantee consuming foods that are still good after the freezing process, then add dates on each bag. Obviously, you want to add the date you placed them in the freezer, but also, write an extra ‘use by’ date on them.
By following all these tips, you will basically be the freezer master and all of your food will stay fresh, clean, and healthy.
