Freezer containers (merged threads)

ragz_2

vax2002 wrote: »

Always fast freeze if you can, that is where you put the hot food in the container and then put it straight in the freezer, it freezers a lot quicker than cooled food and hence has less chance of anything going wrong.

Seriously? I always thought I had to cook stuff completely before I froze it?!

cooking-mama

vax2002 wrote: »

Always fast freeze if you can, that is where you put the hot food in the container and then put it straight in the freezer, it freezers a lot quicker than cooled food and hence has less chance of anything going wrong.

I have a "fast freeze" setting on my freezer,but its definately not for hot food,it just reduces the temp further so that food(cool/cold food)freezes quicker,I was always under the impression that it was dangerous to put hot food into a fridge or freezer.

Stephen_Leak

Again, I use the plastic and foil containers, from pound shops and any take-aways I treat myself to. The plastic ones do get brittle with the cold, but just be careful, especially when removing the lids. However, some of mine could be nearly 5 years old now. I use the plastic ones for stuff that's going in the microwave, the foil ones for stuff that's going in the oven.

PS. Good intel' about Chinese supermarkets, Spike. Thanks. Another excuse to visit mine and stock up on packs of decent noodles.

vax2002

Nope its fine. virtually all made frozen meals are frozen from hot, the hot (cooked... DOH ) food freezes many times faster than pre cooled food due to the rate it looses heat, bacteria has little time to enter the chain as the food is usually frozen within the hour, but cooling food for several hours then it taking another few hours to freeze gives bacteria all the time it needs to get in, multiply and lay dormant.
In to your container, lid on and in the freezer.

[Deleted User]

I bought sonme soup bags from Lakelands a couple of years ago and they are brilliant for soups ect as once cold you can 'squash the soup' into any odd space in the freezer.I also use the take-away plastic boxes I don't eat take-aways, but have managed to get a good stock of them from eldest DD as her OH is partial to chinese meals .I like a curry but caqn't abide chinese food as there is something about the texture and smell that puts me off My late OH loved it thoughand I would treat him to a meal on his birthday and have an omelette with the big delicious chunky chips instead.They make the best chips in the world I think

Alison_Funnell

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

The plastic ones do get brittle with the cold, but just be careful, especially when removing the lids.

Oh yes. I frozen a sauce in an old chinese takeaway pot, I shattered the pot trying to get it out.

hmc

hi, my lakeland tubs are looking worse for wear now and they dont do a multi sized pack that i can see now
what does everyone use that is good
needs to be for microwave,freezer and dishwasher.
to fit from half a tin of beans to pasta bake in freezer
thanks in advance for any recomendations

maman

hmc wrote: »

hi, my lakeland tubs are looking worse for wear now and they dont do a multi sized pack that i can see now
what does everyone use that is good
needs to be for microwave,freezer and dishwasher.
to fit from half a tin of beans to pasta bake in freezer
thanks in advance for any recomendations

You might want something more sturdy longer term but I'm really pleased with those plastic boxes like Chinese take-aways come in. They sell them in £ shop. They stack beautifully in the freezer and I just label them with a piece of masking tape. Ideal for two portions of bolognese/chilli/curry or left overs. They're so cheap you can afford to bin them when they get stained.

ky822000

I completely agree re the 'takeaway' type plastic containers. Gutted when I had to buy them after six months into a no takeaway debt busting regime!!

Got lucky at a local pub which has just undergone refurbishment though, and intercepted a whole load of new but unwanted containers being taken from the kitchen just before they made it to the skip - already put six portions of lasagne into the freezer

Toxic_Lemon

I've abandoned most of my plastic containers for Pyrex ones with lids. I have a couple of little round ones and then some rectangle ones which nest inside each other when not in use. They come up beautifully in the dishwasher, too. Amazon do them as well as Dunelm and they last a lifetime.