Using everything in freezer

thriftmonster

Have to say - each time I do tidy the freezers (yes 2) out I end up with a "dog's dinner" section of out of date stuff so any sort of list should be good - at least the dog isn't fussy!!!!!!

in_my_wellies

I wish I had a dog

angelatgraceland

I always intend to empty mine out and start again. I used to have an inventory but i didnt update it enough. Too much in there right now to even attempt this so I will brave it next month. Any spaces I shall fill up with loaves of bread so that I can't buy anything else. I keep a bag of "oddments" on the top which I work through at mealtimes. Ev 3 months I empty and sort it into freezer bags (Iceland) and so I can then clean it out and I put it bag in all sorted. Meat in one bag, veg in another, potato products in another and so forth.

overlykeensaver

I have an inventory which is great for a while but while I remember to cross out things we have eaten, DH doesn't and then we both forget to write when we add new things! However we re-do our freezer list whenever we realise we have no idea what is going on in there!

dannahaz

Hi JCR

With your set-up I would imagine that keeping an inventory of the "out of sight ouyt of mind" chest freezer would be relatively simple. I'm guessing that you are using your indoor fridge freezer on a daily basis and I know that for that, keeping an up to date inventory is harder.

For the chest freezer, I would make an inventory and stick it on the lid. Because you only go there occasionally it should be easy to cross things off when you take them out, and add things to the list when you add things to the freezer.

All you need is one (or two?) sheets of A4. Put like-things together, and remember to leave space to write in new things that you put in. It might be helpful to date each thing using whatever format suits you (when it was put in the freezer, or when you should eat it by). This means that you can just scan the list for things that need to be used up.

Rather than eating your way through the freeaer and then starting an inventory, I would recommend emptying the chest freezer and making an inventory as you put things back in. This will help you identify anything that needs eating now, and will also help you if you want to make a meal planner or anything.

Hope that helps

janeym8

im doing this at the mo as we are going on hol next week and leaving 3 teenagers alone at home for 2 and a half weeks-i must be mad-so emptying it out before restocking it with things for them you know the fling in the oven stuff thats is easy cooking not the meats i usually get lol

i did an inventory on mon and listed all the meals we could make from that to do until next shop which will prob be monday and yes we are eating some interesting stuff-prawn curry for me and OH ,lasagne for DD1,haggis for DD2 and savory pancakes-mince ones-for DS1

janey xxx

Queenie

dannahaz wrote:

....

For the chest freezer, I would make an inventory and stick it on the lid. Because you only go there occasionally it should be easy to cross things off when you take them out, and add things to the list when you add things to the freezer.

All you need is one (or two?) sheets of A4. Put like-things together, and remember to leave space to write in new things that you put in. It might be helpful to date each thing using whatever format suits you (when it was put in the freezer, or when you should eat it by). This means that you can just scan the list for things that need to be used up.

Rather than eating your way through the freeaer and then starting an inventory, I would recommend emptying the chest freezer and making an inventory as you put things back in. This will help you identify anything that needs eating now, and will also help you if you want to make a meal planner or anything.

Hope that helps

Ditto!!! With one exception ... laminate those A4's so you can wipe and reuse
Another tip for when your freezer is emptied, cleaned and you start to restock ...

... use your shopping list from restocking to draw up your menu plans and fill out your laminated inventory!! It's much easier to do this with your receipt when you are starting from fresh and it should help keep you on the straight and narrow.

I'm working my way through ours (plus pantry items) and I've found a few items that are unidentifiable ... so, they get taken out with one other (known!) item so at best I have 2 days of meals or at worst, one meal (known item) plus the mystery item for the next day once it's defrosted

Potluck casseroles are featuring heavily :laugh: - sometimes with rice, other times mash etc. oh and potluck soups with hm bread with those odds and bobs of veggies.

Bexstars

Im trying to do this at the moment too but ours is only a 3 draw intergrated freezer which doesnt hold a great deal so it shouldnt take me long to do but it really needs de-frosting

dronid

This is something I really need to do! I batch cook regularly but then loose focus on what I've made . I need to get some freezer proof markers or some kind of system to identify what I've done. I liked the idea of the magnetic wipe clean sheets for the fridge. Anyone got any good strategies/equipment to help them keep track?:o


Frankly I need a clear out all round so I'll probably join the storecupboard challenge!

flourgirl

I did an inventory just before Christmas, but failed to keep it up.:mad: But I roughly know whats in there (too much), so, I decided to "shop" for meals in the freezer and put 2 weeks meals into 2 baskets, then did a menu plan for 2 weeks using storecupboard stuff aswell, and just making a shopping list of the missing fresh veg and salad. So far this is working for me. Could be interesting when I get to the bottom corners though!!:rolleyes: