An organized freezer means better food storage and less food waste
If a barrage of frozen veggies, ice cream tubs, and freezer bags filled with unidentified food scraps rain down on you every time you open the freezer door, it’s time to get organized. Organizing your freezer (and keeping it that way) may feel like an unmanageable task, especially if you have kids rummaging through it for dessert every night, but we’re here to help. These tips will help you organize your freezer and keep it tidy for the long haul.
Like all major home organization projects, begin organizing your freezer by removing all of its contents—yes, even the ice cube trays. It’s easier to organize and declutter when you’re starting with a blank slate. When you’ve removed everything, clean your freezer and wipe down the interior to eliminate any food residue or ice buildup.
Sort through your freezer contents and trash or give away what you don’t think your family will eat before it gets freezer burn.
Stocking up on frozen veggies or throwing bulk goods into the freezer to save for future use is a great use of your freezer, allowing you to always have the right ingredients on hand to make a quick meal. But loose items can quickly clutter up your freezer space.
Store loose items in clear containers or bins to keep your frozen goods more organized. The next time you need to grab a bag of frozen carrots to throw into your soup, you can simply grab the bin of frozen veggies instead of rifling through the entire freezer.
Labeling is one of the best ways to organize any space, including your freezer. Label each bin or container with what’s inside and consider labeling shelves as needed. With accurate labels, everyone in your family will be able to easily find what they need.
No amount of organization can streamline a stuffed freezer. But if you like shopping in bulk or batch cooking and stockpiling healthy freezer meals, a full freezer is just a part of life. If that’s you, consider investing in a chest freezer that you can set up in your garage or on the patio.
Use this freezer to store things that you don’t need to grab regularly, like the 10-pound pack of ground beef you snagged on sale. That will make room for more organization in your main freezer.
Vacuum sealing your food protects it from drying out or getting freezer burn in the freezer, keeping it fresh for a long period. If you’re a bulk food shopper, a vacuum sealer is essential.
Not only does vacuum sealing your food before freezing preserve its freshness, but it also helps make room in your freezer. Vacuum sealers suck air and moisture out of the food’s package before sealing it shut, leaving you with a compact package that you can easily place in a bin or container.
Buy or build your own shelf organizer to keep foods separated and in their own place in your freezer. Make a section for pre-assembled meals, desserts, meats, smoothie supplies, and whatever others you need. The dividers in the shelf organizer will prevent food items from spilling over into the wrong section.
When you go through your freezer as you organize it, make a list of what’s inside. Refer back to the list when you’re planning meals for the week so that you don’t buy an ingredient you don’t need, and so you rotate through your freezer stash on a regular basis.
Go through your freezer every few months and take inventory again. This process gives you a chance to reorganize your freezer as needed and makes sure you aren’t letting your goods go to waste.
This one may not technically be an organization tip, but it’s just as important. Maintaining your fridge and freezer extends their lives. Replacing your freezer uproots your entire organizational system and leaves you starting from square one with a new appliance.
Plus, waiting for a new one could cause your frozen stockpile to go bad. Hire a freezer repair service near you to take care of repair and maintenance issues.
