Freezer containers (merged threads)

Blairweech

I remember reading that those plastic trays are only really designed for a couple of uses, as the plastic begins to break down after that (have you noticed how they get dangerously soft after they have been in the microwave?)

~Chameleon~

I'm the world's worst hoarder for plastic containers (have enough to fill a double kitchen unit, not including the bags full in the shed ) and yes, they most definitely are re-useable!

I have a select few that I have regularly used for several years now to heat up various things in the microwave, from baked beans to frozen peas, even fishfingers if I'm craving a sarnie and can't be bothered to wait the time it takes to grill them

I find the best ones to use for freezing individual portions are the plastic trays with lids that you get from chinese/indian take-aways. They do eventually start to crack or split (mainly the lids) but only after constant use over a few years and are easily replaceable.

Zend

Hi, I tend to bulk cook meals and then freeze them. I have been using the metal dishes, like the ones you get from takeaways, but the cost of buying them is adding about 15p to 20p to the cost of each meal. Does anyone know of any cheap dishes that are reusable and suitable for freezers and microwave/cookers ?

Thanks

Pink.

Hi zend,

I usually line the dish I intend to cook the meal in with a freezer bag, then put it in the freezer. Once the food is frozen I take the dish out and the meal is moulded into that shape. When I'm ready to use it I take it out of the freezer bag and pop it back into the dish. That frees up the dish for other things while the food is in the freezer.

It's worth keeping an eye on any packaging you might have that could be recycled.....margarine tubs are great for single portions of soup, ice cream tubs are good for larger portions etc

This older thread might give you some more ideas:

Freezer containers

And this thread might give you some ideas of where to buy dishes:

Freezer to microwave tubs - cheapest? alternatives?

Pink

Skint_Catt

Can you wash out the metal/foil dishes?

Zend

I always seem to end up tearing the metal containers and end up using new ones for each meal ! Thanks for the ideas Pink-winged, I'll certainly tyr them out.

sunshine6650

Ive been doing that, Ive also saved the plastic dishes ready meals come in, they make really good moulds to put meals in while freezing..

waddy80

Wilko's do the plastic containers (like the ones most chinese takeaways use), which are fantastic. Think my last lot was £0.99 for 6.

Benthosboy

Hello all.

(If there are any spelling mistakes in this post, it's because I'm trying to type whilst hiding behind the setee. Where's the " please be gentle with me Mr Squeaky Sir, I have looked in the mega index but didn't find anything. Honest!!" smilie when you need one :rolleyes: :rotfl: )

After all that, I'd almost forgotten what my question was

What's the best way of storing bulk cooked stuff in the freezer? I'm thinking more about individual portions of pasta sauce for example as opposed to larger items. At the mo, I'm using some plastic containers that had chinese takeaway in them but I haven't got many left and I can't see them lasting for ever.(£10.00 plus for a meal :eek: . What was I thinking about I take back the 1st paragraph. I need chastising. My demons must be driven out. I am a BAD man I am now :rotfl: at the thought of the Pythons bursting through the door saying: "nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!")

Thanks all.

Martyn.

kazmeister

You can buy the takeaway type tubs in wilkinsons dirt chip and they stack brilliantly in the freezer