Freezer Dos and Don'ts
Practically speaking, there are things you should and should not do when it comes to your freezer. By knowing how to best care for your freezer and which foods freeze well, you will get the best, most productive use out of your appliance. Try to keep your freezer full so it runs efficiently. If you have a lot of empty spaces, your freezer will have to work hard to fill those spaces with cold air.
Foods That Freeze Well
Being able to freeze food allows you to take advantage of store sales and stock up on items, but how do you know what you can freeze? Breads and buns freeze well, as does shredded cheese (block cheese will be crumbly when thawed), milk, butter, flour, lunch meat, tortillas, most fruits and vegetables (some need to be blanched first), nuts, dough, and spices. Your food will stay safe so long as the temperature is kept at a constant 0°F.
Foods That Should Not Be Frozen
It is easier to remember which foods do not freeze well since that list is shorter than those that
Gravies thickened with flour tend to defrost clumpy, so consider thickening with cornstarch if you plan to freeze this sauce. Fully cooked pasta does not freeze well — it becomes mushy and often disintegrates once defrosted. The secret to freezing pasta is to under-cook it before freezing.
Use this trick to freeze eggs. Spray a plastic ice cube tray with non-stick spray. In a bowl, mix 6 eggs, ¾ teaspoon sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Pour egg mixture into ice cube trays and freeze. Transfer frozen cubes to freezer bag. One cube equals one egg.
Freezer Maintenance and Repair
If you've ever lost a freezer full of food due to a broken freezer, you understand the importance of maintaining your freezer. Repairs to your freezer can be costly, but most can be avoided by good maintenance. Follow these tips to keep your freezer in tip-top shape:
Place a thermometer in your freezer to ensure the temperature is 0°F.
Locate the coils in your freezer and dust them every six months.
Clean spills immediately, and clean the inside shelves and compartments regularly to prevent odor. Use baking soda to tackle tough food odors in the freezer.
To keep the door working properly, store the heaviest door items close to the hinge, and the lighter things close to the handle.
If frost builds up greater than ½″ thickness, defrost freezer.
Do not place your freezer close to a heat source because it will need to work extra hard to keep cool.
Leave room between the freezer and the wall so air can flow easily.
