Finding things for dinner when you’re in a rush can be challenging enough, but it’s even more difficult if your freezer is filled with random Tupperware containers and gallon bags of ice cream. Whether you run a food truck business or a chain of restaurants, there are plenty of ways to keep your freezer organized for easy access to all your frozen goods, including outsourcing storage. To check out our recommendation for top freezer storage in Kelowna, click here.
- Separate Certain Fruits and Vegetables
Keeping your fruits and veggies separate is a smart idea for more than one reason. It will help you determine what produce needs to be used first, as some foods don’t last well when placed next to each other. Also, it will prevent cross-contamination of chemicals that are sprayed on different food items.
For example, keep your apples in one place, and put your celery in another. Bananas and oranges can hang out together, and the same applies to peas and green beans.
- Label Containers with a Permanent Marker
If you’re using plastic containers or gallon bags to store your food, be sure to label them with a marker. It’s easy to forget what you put in the freezer, and labeling will save you a lot of time when looking for something specific.
Plus, if there’s any kind of spill or mess, it will be much easier to locate and clean up if everything is labeled correctly. Just be sure to use a permanent marker so the writing doesn’t fade over time.
- Arrange Items With Other Items They Go With
This is a great way to save space in your freezer, and it will also help you know where everything is. For example, place all your chicken dishes together along with their respective side dishes like salads or mashed potatoes.
For other foods like fruits and vegetables, arrange them by color or size to make it easier to choose what to prepare. However, make sure to leave some space between items so they don’t touch. That way, they won’t freeze together into one big ice block.
- Meat and Fish Should be at the Bottom
Some people like to keep their meat and fish at the top of the freezer, but it’s actually best if you store these items at the bottom. The reason for this is that cold air will naturally settle near the floor, so your food will stay much colder there than in other areas.
Don’t stack too many foods together, though. Leave some room for air to circulate. This will help everything stay fresh and prevent bacteria from growing.
- Use Clear Containers
There are a variety of storage containers available to purchase. Clear ones will make it much easier for you to find what you’re looking for, and they’ll also let you know what is getting freezer burn faster than if the box was opaque.
Because clear plastic bags can be harmful when heated, don’t use them as an alternative. Instead, look into purchasing some sturdy, clear storage containers.
- Consider Using a Filing System
If you’re running a chain of restaurants, it may be worth your time and money to invest in some sort of filing system for the freezer. This will allow you to separate foods into categories that make sense, such as fruit desserts on one side, and whole wheat pasta on another shelf.
This way, you’ll be able to quickly locate the ingredients that you need for a specific recipe. If this option isn’t in your budget at the moment, it’s still worth trying out some of these other tips until you’re ready to make an investment like this.
- Vacuum Seal Produce
Vacuum sealed produce can last up to two weeks longer than regular produce, so it’s a great option if you want to stock up on some fruits and veggies. You can buy a vacuum sealer machine for around $50, or you can borrow one from a friend or family member. Just be sure to wash the produce before you place it in the bag and remove any unwanted leaves.
If you don’t have a vacuum sealer machine on hand, use a plastic container to store your products instead. You can purchase these containers at most grocery stores or online for around $15 each.
- Make Built-In Cubbies
If you have a lot of free space in your freezer, consider creating some built-in cubbies. This can be done by purchasing some plastic containers or boxes and arranging them to fit the shape of your freezer.
This way, you’ll be able to store all of your food in one place without having to search through every shelf and drawer. Plus, it will make your freezer look a lot neater!
