How to Freeze and Store Food

How to Freeze and Store Food

To make the most of your storage here is a quick guide from Bill & Rod's Appliance on what to expect with freezing and how to make the most of your freezer storage.

What to expect with freezing fresh foods:

Fresh food should be frozen as quickly as possible when you bring it home or when you harvest it from your garden. The quicker it is frozen the better it will hold is nutritional value, maintain appearance and the flavor will be kept. During the freezing process water is lost from the cells, causing them to shrink. While defrosting, not all this water will reenter the food that was frozen, think frozen leafy greens like spinach. Another indicator of moisture loss is the amount of water that can be found post thawing. 

If you are picking up frozen foods from the store when you go grocery shopping be sure to inspect the package for any visible tears or damage. Always check the expiration date on the food as well to ensure that you are not getting something that will not last much longer in the freezer, this time can even be decreased if proper temperatures are not being maintained. We at Bill & Rod’s Appliance would encourage you to pick up your frozen items at the end of the shopping trip and head straight home with them. Be sure to store them in temperatures less than 0⁰F as higher temperatures reduce ability to keep. 

Never re-freeze partially or fully defrosted foods. Food must be cooked prior to re-freezing.

What can be kept in the freezer:

Great things to keep in your freezer are fresh meat, poultry, game, fish, garden veggies, herbs, fresh fruits, milk, cheese, ice cream, most dairy products, baked goods, leftovers, egg yolks, egg whites, and pre-cooked meals of course.

What should not be kept in the freezer:

Things that should not be considered for the freezer are lettuce, radishes, sour cream, mayonnaise, whole raw eggs in the shell, onions, whole raw apples, or pears. Caveat, apples or pears with a strong texture and flavor are good for freezing. Others can be mealy post thawing.

Tips for better freezing:

Blanch vegetables prior to freezing by boiling small groups 2-3 minutes. Immediately drop them into ice-cold water to quickly cool them. This action will have them retain their color, taste, aroma, and vitamin C.

Lean meats will freezer better than fatty meats. Lean meat examples would be wild game, some cuts of beef, ham, and chicken breast. Fatty meats would ground pork, bacon, ribeye, porterhouse steaks, and chicken thighs.

Separate chops, steaks, or any type of induvial cuts of meat by individually wrapping or bagging to prevent them from sticking together.

Placing hot foods or drinks is a big mistake. This can cause the foods around it to thaw or partially thaw… and we know that is a big stop sign. The condensation will also create frost on the interior freezer as well. Energy consumption also increases as the freezer works to drop the temperature. Allow food and drink to cool to room temperature prior to wrapping and placing in the freezer.

For more tips and tricks on how best to use your freezer give Bill & Rod’s Appliance a call or stop in to see us at our Livonia or White Lake locations. 

CLICK THE LINK FOR MORE POSTS ON HOW TO USE YOUR APPLIANCES

Electrolux Freezer EI33AF80WSMaytag Freezer MZC5216LWLG Freezer LROFC065VFrigidaire Freezer FFFC09M1RW

About Us: 

Bill & Rod’s Appliance has come a long way since 1963, and that’s because of you, the customer. We started with just a small storefront, and now we have an entire 10,000 square foot showroom in Livonia and 6300 square foot showroom in White Lake with appliances and grills that fit any need. We carry all the industry’s top brands because we only carry brands we would sell to our friends or family, and we run the business the same way. Buy with confidence with our price match guarantee on appliances and grills that you are always getting the best price. Our top-notch installers work directly for us and will make certain you are satisfied with your appliance installation. We look at each customer as a chance to build a new relationship, and that’s the type of service you will get. Bill & Rod’s Appliance also has expert service and appliance parts department with trained technicians dedicated to making your life easier. We know a new appliance isn’t needed, and sometimes you need that one part or the right expert to work their magic to fix your appliance, and at Bill & Rod’s Appliance, we got you covered. We serve a wide area, so if you are in Livonia, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Canton, Westland, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Northville, Plymouth, Novi, Milford or White Lake, give us a call and let us take some of the stress out of buying an appliance! We are family owned and operated for 3 generations with the same family, and the legacy of quality stands firm. Bill & Rod's Appliance is small enough to care, but big enough to compete. Come join our family and see the difference today! 

Livonia Showroom: 15870 Middlebelt Rd., Livonia, MI 48154 

White Lake Showroom: 8010 Cooley Lake Rd., White Lake, MI 48386 

Website: https://www.billandrodsappliance.com/

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