Freezer containers

[MNeagle]

The chest freezer is at a good point of having the food rotated (about 1/2 full). Tomorrow's going to be another subzero day, so I was thinking of doing that rotation since I can easily store things outside during the transition.

Currently, we're using cardboard boxes to store like items together (all the meats, veggies, breads, etc.). But I'm curious what others use to help manage their freezer inventory.

Thanks!

[banjo]

Count me in. I wanna see a good system too cause I sure don't have one...

[Hillbilly]

Nothing screams "Serial Killer" like a big ole chest freezer :o

[MNeagle]

I wish they made plastic milk crates 1/2 the height. But they've got handles...

[Road Runner]

The chest freezer is at a good point of having the food rotated (about 1/2 full). Tomorrow's going to be another subzero day, so I was thinking of doing that rotation since I can easily store things outside during the transition.

Currently, we're using cardboard boxes to store like items together (all the meats, veggies, breads, etc.). But I'm curious what others use to help manage their freezer inventory.

Thanks!

Sounds like you have a good system going for you. I just purchased another freezer about 2 years ago and the intent was for meat in one and other stuff in the other. I put the meat in categories of hamburger, T-bone steak, etc. Then I take my larger bags of frozen vegetables and fruits and put them in smaller ziplock bags so I can have fresh in the fridge. My new freezer has those baskets inside and boy that has been nice to organize the vegetables and fruits in if there is enough room to keep them in there. When new beef arrives I take everything out , defrost and put the new under, that way I am sure it won't freezer burn. The extra freezer has been nice during canning so that I can just freeze things right away if I don't have time to can right then. Good luck!!

[SLV^GLD]

I use cardboard pieces as separating walls. Most like stuff goes in a plastic grocery bag. Dates get written on individual pieces if possible. If not, the bag gets dated. Meat starts on the left and veggies end up on the right. Conglomerations like, say lasagna, would be found in the middle. Tomatoes from the summer garden are in dated bags on the right. Blanched veggies are inindividually dated baggies but bagged in grocery bags with their brethren. Angel Food sourced pork chops, roasts, tubes of sausage, etc will be dated on the individual package and bagged with like meats.

Works for me but I am in there a lot so it never really gets too mixed up or out of memory to be forgotten.

I have WAY more trouble rotating canned and boxed goods.

[MNeagle]

Nowadays, the easiest way to know your "old"/older preps is to look for the larger boxes/containers!! Almost all the 'new' stuff is smaller.

[muffin]

I envy anyone that can keep their freezer organized. I'm ashamed of what's become of our's. I don't know what went wrong and when but it did.... Everytime we need something from it, we both cringe and fight over who has to dig through it :-[ We inherited it with the house. Amzingly, there was still food in it from the previous owner. Stuff from the late 90s! I think some of it is still down there :puke

[MNeagle]

Wow, that's too long Muffin. Use these winter months to your advantage.

Load up boxes or laundry baskets & store all the frozen food outside (as long as it's below freezing). Or use coolers, if you have enough.

Then tackle the defrost job if necessary.

Reload & organize the freezer. Pitch all that old stuff!

Good luck & just take it in small steps.