How to Organize a Freezer
General rules that fit every freezer Some ideas from https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-organize-any-freezer-23064111
Always put stuff new towards the back and pull the older stuff (the stuff that needs to be eaten first) to the front.
Everything that has been taken out of it original package or homemade should be labeled and dated.
Freeze in family portions that fit your family. If you have company then you can just add another family portion or two to fit the situation. As much as possible, freeze things flat. Then you can stand them up in file order in a bin or stack them to maximize space. Use bins to create drawers. Use them to group like with like and then you can just pull one out to see what’s in there (rather than having to dig around). Label the bins so you and everyone will know what is in it.
Anything that comes in a box (waffles, ice pops, and chicken nuggets, for example) can also be put in gallon size baggies to save room. If you need the cooking instructions, cut them out and put in bag.
Air circulating around frozen foods can lead to freezer burn, so your best bet is to eliminate air space around the food. If you’re using baggies make sure you use thicker freezer ones, and press out as much air as possible before freezing. If you’re using foil, make sure foods are tightly double-wrapped. Doing these things mean you maximize freezer space and keep air out.
Keep an inventory
Top refrigerator kitchen freezer— Top: ice cube trays (if you don’t have an ice maker), fruits, veggies, breads, waffles, baked goods, and popsicles and / or ice cream
Bottom: Meat, fish, soups, sauces, chili, and prepared meals/leftovers on the other side and then stack frozen goods on top. I organize it in the order of my meal planning days so I know what I need at a glance.
Bottom drawer kitchen freezer— Bottom drawer: create categories and work from left to right. Ice cream goes on the left, then fruits and veggies, then bread and other baked goods. Your soups, sauces, and homemade mealscan be in the middle and then meat and fish.I organize it in the order of my meal planning days so I know what I need at a glance.
Side by side Kitchen freezer— Because I have an upright freezer in my garage. I organize this freezer quickest and easiest to grab down to least used.
Top: quick frozen entrees and misc
2nd: popsicles, frozen fruit and / or ice cream
3rd: breakfast
Bottom drawer: frozen onions and seasoning veggies
Door: ice pack
Extra popsicles
Shredded fresh parmesan cheese and cream cheese
Arm and hammer baking soda
Up right freezer–rectangle baskets that are just about 3 to 4 inches deep per shelf. Sort food by category in each basket.
Mine is done this way: I organize it in the order of my meal planning days so I know what I need at a glance. Top to bottom according to my simple meal plan
Monday : Chicken / chicken
Tues: ground beef / Wed.: Chicken Wings
Fridays: Fish or Frozen entrees / Extra frozen breakfast
Bottom pull out basket overflow
Door—butter, shredded cheese, soups and sauces.
Small deep freezer—plastic tote type bins with handles. 2 per category to stack on top of each other
Bottom: Chicken, veggies & fruits, beef, seafood and homemade
Middle: same
Top: Misc & dairy items
Large Rectangle deep freeze— This will take some really good measuring to maximize space with the right size bins for easy stacking and lifting.
Bottom: Chicken, veggies, fruits, beef, seafood and homemade
Middle: same
Top: Misc & dairy items
Fullerton’s Professional Organizing— https://www.fullertonsprofessionalorganizing.com
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