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Your freezer needs as much organization and care as your closet or bookshelf.
Experts from the British consumer rights organization Which? shared tips on how to arrange your food to save space and reduce waste.
Most of us haphazardly toss groceries into the freezer—whether it’s a tub of ice cream or a bag of frozen peas. Which? says it’s important to store food correctly in the freezer to get the most out of it.
Which? also explained what can and cannot be stored in the freezer.
How to Organize Your Freezer Contents?
Removing excess packaging saves space. One of the biggest mistakes home cooks make is storing food in bulky packaging. “Before placing food in the freezer, remove it from boxes to save more space,” the experts advised.
Freezing items flat can help free up space in your freezer, according to the Daily Mail. Which? recommended: “Lay filled freezer bags on the countertop to release excess air, then make sure they are securely sealed before freezing them flat.”
Using appropriately sized containers saves space. To save space, choose containers that are as close to the right size as possible for your food.
Regularly defrosting your freezer helps prevent a large buildup of ice. This routine task can be daunting for many, but it’s essential.
Foods You Should Never Freeze
Which? experts identified five foods that should never be placed in the freezer.
Fried foods will lose their crispness and change in flavor after freezing.
Salad greens will turn to mush if frozen. Herbs and delicate leaves are usually only usable for cooking, not as fresh garnishes.
High-water-content vegetables, like cucumbers, will become mushy.
Mayonnaise and other egg-based sauces will separate and curdle after freezing.
Foods You Can Freeze
The experts also highlighted foods that are perfectly fine to freeze, even though we often don’t.
Eggs can be stored in the freezer, but only if they are not in their shells.
Which? warned: “Always crack eggs into containers or bags suitable for freezing. If stored in their shells, they will crack and become inedible.”
Cooked pasta (who would have thought!) is also suitable for freezing, but toss it with oil beforehand to prevent sticking.
Bread, raw dough, yogurt, and cream can also be stored in the freezer. However, yogurt and cream are best used for cooking after freezing, as they lose their original texture.
Broth is best kept in ice cube trays: this way, it’s convenient to use for cooking.
What is the Optimal Freezer Temperature?
To prevent food spoilage and maintain its nutritional value, set your freezer between -18 and -20 °C (about 0 to -4 °F).
In that temperature range, the cold will inhibit bacterial growth and toxin production while slowing the chemical reactions that lead to food spoilage.
