Help needed with kitchen storage

expat_jo

Hi

I need to sort out my pantry as I am fed up with things getting stuck in the back and me throwing them out every year when I re-discover them and they are out of date. I was to maximise my space and was wndering what recepticals you all use for flour, etc? I am thinking of tall, thin plastic tubs but can't seem to find any anywhere.

Also, while I am at it, I want to start batch cooking so need some containers so I can put what I cook in the freezer. I will be making - fish and potato pies (for my baby); bolognase sauce, cottage pie, etc. etc. I was thinking of the stoneware type dishes but then don't know how to cover it. I was thinking about tupperware too but am not sure. Please can someone help?

Thanks in advance.

wssla00

I got the big medium and small glass ones from Ikea. With big airtight tops. Max I paid was about £1.50 a jar. Very good

I also get these for batch cooking but I believe you can get these in poundland too.... http://www.marksandspencer.com/3-Rectangular-Clip-Container-Set/dp/B002DH9XQK?ie=UTF8&qid=1265147845&categoryNodeID=43670030&ref=sr_1_1&page=&node=48460031&sr=1-1&mnSBrand=core&rh=

ChocClare

I use 4-litre ice-cream tubs from my work (work in a retirement home) for absolutely EVERYTHING - flour, rice, pasta, sugar etc - with what's in it written on the front in indelible pen. Ask at your local restaurant/cafe/nursing home - they've probably got millions you can have.

As to the freezing - if you've got a couple of ceramic or stoneware dishes, then the best thing is to line them with foil, leaving quite a long overlap. You can then make your shepherd's pie or whatever in that dish, flash freeze it, then lift the whole thing out of the dish and wrap it in the foil (and either put in a plastic bag or wrap again in clingfilm). When you're ready to defrost and cook it you can put it back in the original dish, knowing it will fit. That way, all your good stoneware dishes don't end up in the freezer!

macpep1

wssla00 wrote: »

I also get these for batch cooking but I believe you can get these in poundland too.... http://www.marksandspencer.com/3-Rectangular-Clip-Container-Set/dp/B002DH9XQK?ie=UTF8&qid=1265147845&categoryNodeID=43670030&ref=sr_1_1&page=&node=48460031&sr=1-1&mnSBrand=core&rh=

You can get these in Poundland, they can be used again and again, also they do a pack of 10 of the "chinese takeaway" style plastic tubs which if you are careful can be used again as they are dishwasher and microwave safe, we use them for chilli, mince, stew, curries etc as sometimes the bigger tubs there is a lot of wasted space

ChocClare wrote: »

As to the freezing - if you've got a couple of ceramic or stoneware dishes, then the best thing is to line them with foil, leaving quite a long overlap. You can then make your shepherd's pie or whatever in that dish, flash freeze it, then lift the whole thing out of the dish and wrap it in the foil (and either put in a plastic bag or wrap again in clingfilm). When you're ready to defrost and cook it you can put it back in the original dish, knowing it will fit. That way, all your good stoneware dishes don't end up in the freezer!

Ditto ChocClare, I do this with the likes of lasagne, shephards pie, mac cheese etc and it is ideal ( when I first batch cooked I ran out of dishes lol) until I came on here and read that lining the dish and freezing then removing later is a superb idea!! :T
Good luck with your storage and batch cooking, upon doing a freezer/fridge/cupboard inventory and keeping on top of it, I have cut my grocery budget from (est) £550-£600 to £300 and my monthly meal plan also includes freezer meals and takeaway once a week but it really has saved us a lot

powershopper

I read in a thread recently, someone used plastic milk bottles of various sizes for storing dry goods. Seems like a brill idea, min footprint on shelf, see thru' (well, almost), airtight, easy to pour out, and if you invest in a funnel, easy to fill, and FREE. Could be a good idea to get you sorted until something prettier comes along.:j

expat_jo

Hi

Thanks all. Brilliant advice. I have some plastic milk containers in the recycling. Will go and get them out and start right away (baby permitting!). We don't live near an Ikea, unfortunately ...

I do have some of those tupperware type containers. I love that they are so cheap in Poundland though. They were much more expensive in Sainsburys. And I absolutely love the advice about flash freezing and removing from the container. Brilliant!

Thanks again.

Minihauk

You can also flash freeze in your dishes without using foil, take out of dish and put into freezer bags. They will then stack neatly in the freezer.
I have lots of plastic sweetie jars (asked friends to save them when buying sweets, etc at Christmas) you can see through, but as they are round they take more shelf space.

Bitsy_Beans

I use our excess tupperware from the local Chinese takeaway - at least it's recycling LOL!
As for storing my flour etc after a bout of flour weevils (which are STILL having around) I use the Lock n Lock storage boxes from Lakeland as they are airtight. OK not cheap but Morrisons sell their own brand version of the same thing for a cheaper price. If you are not storing your flour in an airtight container please put it in the freezer first for 24 hours as this will kill any bugs present in the flour. Otherwise you'll be like me and battling the ruddy things forever

midnightraven3

i am another Lakeland lock n lock fan

no they are not teh cheapest but they are the best and will last a long long time
they come in every shape & size, and always remain airtight

they have pages of new ones in the new catalogue as well

**drools**

seabright

I'd say stick with square and oblong tubs - you'll fit more in the cupboard/freezer than if you're using round ones. Be economical with your space as well as with your money!

Butterfly_Brain

Wilkinsons do a good range of large plastic containers