Freezing Milk

The milk, like all liquid, will expand when frozen, and return to its original volume when thawed out. If its in a plastic container it may push the seal up but as long as you keep it upright when thawing out this wont matter as it will shrink again when changing back to liquid.

HI,

I have always frozen milk and I have had cartons that split or milk come out of the top. Now I freeze them upright and just take the tops off but leave the little seal bit on, this way it allows enough room for expansion without splitting it.

I've got 4x 6 pint bottles coming later and 3 will be being frozen.. I just sling them in and have done for years and never ever had one split on me.. a couple have developed little leaks from the top seal though when defrosting.

Condensation collects on the outside though during defrosting so put it in a bowl or the sink or on the drainer!!

I think no they are filled with enough gap to allow for freezing as they know so many people do it!

I've been freezing the plastic milk bottles for years now. Get 6 or 7 x 2ltr bottles delivered when I do an online shop. Only once have I had a problem, when one leaked, but that's one out of several hundred.

Just remember to give it a good shake to distribute the fat evenly when it's thawed out. Otherwise it can taste like water.

Have frozen our milk for the past 15 years - my mum has been doing it for much longer. In that time, I think I've only had one split bottle.

Best to defrost overnight on the draining board so that the water drains away. Give it a good shake once defrosted (or, this time of year, semi-defrosted!) and put in the fridge. I've frozen Whole, Semi- and Skimmed milk without any problems.

The MIL, however, thinks I'm carrying out the Devil's work by freezing the milk - I think she blames me for OH's recent diagnosis of lactose intolerance .

My sister used to freeze it in ice cube trays as it was only her who drank it. I wasn't over keen on it to be honest as it didn't really work so well if it was dropped straight into hot tea - the previously mentioned separation seemed to make the tea a bit thin. But, would be very useful in an emergency, 'must have a cuppa' moment.

D.
(Who wrote to the Food Standards Agency for clarification on freezing milk, just in case MIL jumped up and down more than usual.....)