Whether it’s a tub of ice cream or a bag of frozen peas, most of us chuck items into the freezer without thinking twice.
But taking a more organised approach could not only save you space, but could also help to prevent food waste.
That’s according to experts at Which?, who have revealed exactly how it should be done.
‘Frozen food can help you cut back on unnecessary waste, saving you time and money,’ the consumer champion explained.
‘But it’s important to store food correctly in the freezer to get the most out of it.’
Alongside their tips on how to organise your freezer, the team at Which? have also revealed which foods you can and can’t freeze.
Fried foods, salad greens, and mayonnaise are all a no-go, according to the experts.
However, yoghurt, stock, cooked pasta, and even eggs are all safe to keep in your freezer.
Whether it’s a tub of ice cream or a bag of frozen peas, most of us chuck items into the freezer without thinking twice. But taking a more organised approach could not only save you space, but could also help to prevent food waste (stock image)
How to organise your freezer
Which? has given four key tips on how to fit more food in your freezer.
1. Remove the packaging
One of the key mistakes that homeowners make is leaving bulky packaging on products.
‘Strip away whatever boxes you can before storing to help free up more space,’ Which? advises.
2. Freeze your food flat
Freezing your food flat will also free up precious room in your freezer.
‘Lay filled freezer bags on the counter to let excess air out, then make sure they’re sealed properly before freezing them flat,’ Which? said.
Freezing your food flat will also free up precious room in your freezer, according to Which? (stock image)
3. Use the correct size of container
Instead of using any old tupperware, Which? advises taking time to consider which container is right.
‘Save space by choosing as close to the correctly sized container for whatever leftovers you’re storing,’ it said.
4. Defrost regularly
It’s a chore that many people dread, but regularly defrosting your freezer can help to avoid a build-up of bulky ice.
Foods you can’t freeze
While you might be tempted to throw any old leftovers in the freezer for a rainy day, Which? warns that there are five foods that should never go in the freezer.
Fried foods will become soggy if you put them in the freezer, which in turn will change the flavour.
Salad greens will ‘turn to gloop’ if frozen, while other vegetables with high water content such as cucumber will go soggy.
Herbs can be frozen, but will then only be suitable to add to cooking dishes, rather than garnishing.
Finally, mayonnaise and other egg-based sauces will separate and curdle if you try to freeze them.
Instead of using any old tupperware, Which? advises taking time to consider which container is right (stock image)
Foods you can freeze
Which? has also revealed some surprising foods you can freeze.
As long as they’re not in their shells, eggs are fine to store in the freezer.
‘Always crack them into freezer-safe containers or bags. If kept in their shells, the eggs will expand and crack making them inedible,’ Which? said.
Cooked pasta is also find to freeze, with Which? advising you toss it in olive oil to avoid it sticking together.
Bread and raw pastry are both OK to freeze, as well as yoghurt and cream.
‘Although best used only for cooking after freezing as both can separate and become lumpy once defrosted,’ it said.
Finally, stock can go in the freezer – ideally in an ice cube tray to make it easy to use straight away.
What’s the best temperature for your freezer?
To get the most out of your food, Which? advises setting your freezer at between -18°C and -20°C.
‘At that temperature range your food will be safely stored, as the cold prevents most bacteria from growing or producing toxins and the chemical reactions that lead to spoilage are slowed down,’ it explained.
‘In effect everything is placed into a dormant state.’
