Old style freezer bags?

pink_numbers

I'm trying to wean myself off using disposable things around the house. For example, I am making crochet/knitted dish cloths to replace kitchen towels at the moment.

The problem I have at the moment is in the freezer. I do use tupperwares for most of my freezing, but I find some things, such as brocolli and cauliflowers aren't very suitable for rigid tupperwares - too much wasted space. I use freezer bags at the moment. I do put three portions in a bag, separated by clips, and reuse the bag again, but ideally, I want to use something a bit more sturdy that will last considerably longer.

So what would you use in such a case? What did people use before freezer bags came along?

Many thanks in advance

Primrose

Not sure I can help much here as after various means to experimenting with freezer storage I've become a fan of the Lakeland freezer self-seal and zipped bags which are fairly thick and sturdy and can be washed and reused several times. I used to use plastic lidded boxes but found they wasted too much space, and when empty I simply ran out of cupboard space for storing them and the foil storage containers can't be defrosted and reheated in the microwave. Although I do use foil containers for meals like mousaka and caseroles, I freeze stuff like vegetables, sauces, purrees in freezer bags.

pink_numbers

Thank you Primrose, that's a great suggestion Can I ask, are the lakeland zipped bags thicker than ziplocks? Do you think I would be able to use my clips on them, or is that not a good idea?

Aril

I know that you're not buying disposable items but do you have any bags from cereal boxes that you could recycle- they make very good freezer bags and last for ages.
Aril

pink_numbers

Aril wrote: »

I know that you're not buying disposable items but do you have any bags from cereal boxes that you could recycle- they make very good freezer bags and last for ages.
Aril

Thank you Aril, I've never thought of using cereal bags before! We don't buy cereal, but we do buy oats... I guess I could use the bag it comes in instead. At least it's reusing them for another purpose before I throw them out.

I do keep all plastic bags that looks reusable & reuse them as much as I can. I would love to reduce how much plastic bags comes into the house!

jenster

pink_numbers wrote: »

Thank you Aril, I've never thought of using cereal bags before! We don't buy cereal, but we do buy oats... I guess I could use the bag it comes in instead. At least it's reusing them for another purpose before I throw them out.

I do keep all plastic bags that looks reusable & reuse them as much as I can. I would love to reduce how much plastic bags comes into the house!

i reuse the bags that sliced bread comes in for freezer bags

i do a lot of grated carrots and chopped diced onions , leeks ect and put them in these type of bags enough for shep pies , stews onion gravey or anything u need just a bit of onion for then just pull them out when needed
and ive also used the value freezer bags

Norman_Bean

I just reuse any bags or containers that other stuff came in: bread bags (from when I was buying bread), vegetable bags, small carrier bags etc. Give them a good wash and re-use em again. They last ages!
The best containers I've found are the cream containers with lids - these can be used time and time again and are easy to write on so you can identify things.

I'm also a big fan of reusing foil - I have some scraps of foil that have been with us so long they're like one of the family!

Norman x

foxgloves

I try to re-use bags that other things have come in so they don't go straight into landfill. For instance, if you ever buy those packs of tortillas, they come in a really tough plastic bag and you can freeze things in those, and then re-use them. I also use cleaned out plastic milk cartons for soup & stocks, etc, and things like Vitalite tubs which have a tough snap on lid. Ice cream tubs are good too, as Norman above says......my 'breadcrumb box' is an old ice cream tub & it's lasted for ages.

Norman_Bean

foxgloves wrote: »

I try to re-use bags that other things have come in so they don't go straight into landfill. For instance, if you ever buy those packs of tortillas, they come in a really tough plastic bag and you can freeze things in those, and then re-use them. I also use cleaned out plastic milk cartons for soup & stocks, etc, and things like Vitalite tubs which have a tough snap on lid. Ice cream tubs are good too, as Norman above says......my 'breadcrumb box' is an old ice cream tub & it's lasted for ages.

Good idea about the soup in milk cartons ... I've been slopping mine into ice-cream tubs but will change to your suggestion Foxgloves x
Thanks Norman x

pink_numbers

foxgloves wrote: »

I try to re-use bags that other things have come in so they don't go straight into landfill. For instance, if you ever buy those packs of tortillas, they come in a really tough plastic bag and you can freeze things in those, and then re-use them. I also use cleaned out plastic milk cartons for soup & stocks, etc, and things like Vitalite tubs which have a tough snap on lid. Ice cream tubs are good too, as Norman above says......my 'breadcrumb box' is an old ice cream tub & it's lasted for ages.

That's given me a great idea. I have several milk cartons that I've saved. If I stack these standing up in the drawers, I could just freeze vegs on metal trays, then pop the veg into the milk cartons! That would be a)neat and b)use up the upper spaces of the drawers.

Thank you so much for your ups, it has inspired me!

henbane

Hi
I'm also trying to use less freezer bags, and have been using cream and yoghurt cartons, they get a fair few turns in the freezer then when not up to snuff get to go to the allotment as plant pots.
I save the trays that you get sausages on for freezing food such as stuffed tomatoes etc, foil plates and any other container that might come in handy. I have over 100 tiny plastic pots which I bought and use for single portions, fruit, passata, eggs etc. But as someone else commented it all has to be stored as the freezers empty out, that's the real downside for me in a tiny flat, but needs must.

Still have the memory of my first home made soup, saved in a freezer bag and put in my new freezer, when I went to have a look, the bag had drooped through the bars of the shelf and couldn't be moved, had to defrost the freezer just to get my soup out, didn't do that again!

Henbane