A chest freezer can save you tons of money by preserving food. It can also be your secret weapon when it comes to batch cooking and freezing so that you’re never tempted to order in. The downside is that keeping it tidy and organized can become a challenge and a half. This article will give you suggestions on how you can organize your chest freezer. Let’s begin with the first method:
Method #1: Use Colour-Coded Containers
Using a system of colour coded containers is one of the first methods you’ll come across when researching how to organize your chest freezer. It’s low maintenance and very easy to use, especially with foods you’ve prepared and want to put aside for a later date. Start by figuring out categories of food which make sense to separate for your home. These could include:
- Red Meat
- Chicken
- Fish
- Pasta sauce
- Soups
- Baked goods
Then go out and purchase freezer containers with enough different coloured lids to correspond with each of your categories. This will make finding what you’re looking for significantly easier, while also protecting your food from freezer burn. This system can simplify cooking and storage in a number of ways. Many retailers have caught on to this method as well, and sell packs of containers to aid it. So there’s nothing holding you back from getting started!
Method #2: Organize with Boxes or Bins
Not all chest freezers come with sufficient shelving and compartments, but this is something you can do yourself because it is incredibly helpful. You can simply go to the dollar store and purchase plastic boxes, or even use milk bins. This technique will also work if you have a few different coloured bins. Separate different meats into their designated bins, as well as prepared foods. This is also an ideal method for people who buy items in bulk because it is easy to keep track of how much of everything you have left.
Method #3: Use Tags to Stick on Bags
Sometimes the simplest methods are the most effective. Labeling items with a tag will take the guessing out of what items are within the freezer. This way you’ll be sure that you’re pulling the chicken out to thaw rather than fish, and tomato soup rather than pasta sauce. Including the date it was frozen on the tag is another good idea to avoid frost-burnt food.
Method #4: Storage Map
It’s very easy for chest freezers to become a disorganized mess. This is nothing to be ashamed of, as most people can relate to this struggle. Unfortunately, people find themselves digging around in their freezer for 20 minutes trying to find what they’re looking for. Half the time it either isn’t there or long-forgotten food is rediscovered. Creating a storage map is a great way to combat this from reoccurring. Create a map which works best for yourself, but a good way to approach it is by recording the item and which level it is located on with a diagram. Cross the item out when it’s been used and be sure to update the map with new food being stored. This will cut your search time to a third while also allowing you to get familiar with where to find items within the freezer.
Method #5: Organize with Bags
Many of us live very busy lives these days and don’t have as much time as we would like to cook full, healthy meals. Having to feed a family makes this even more complicated, but luckily meal preparation can come into play in a very helpful way. Taking one day a month to dedicate to meal prep will save you a lot of time in the long run. Simply plan out meals like pasta, casseroles, soups, or whatever else you prefer, and make large portions. You can even portion out vegetables and bread to accompany the main dish. Once you prep is completed, place all components into individual tote bags which will carry a full meal. Neatly organize these into your chest freezer, so in the mornings you only need to pull out one bag and let it defrost. By the end of the day, you have a fully prepped meal which only needs to be warmed up! This system means that you can cross one thing of your daily “to-do” list.
Keeping the mighty chest freezer organized can be a hassle, but it’s well worth the effort. So don’t let the organizational side of it deter you from getting one for your own home. There are plenty of appliance stores which will help you find exactly what you’re looking for. We hope that this article has given you ideas on what organizational system you should use for your chest freezers, old and new alike.
