RE-using plastic freezer bags - sterilise or not?

ksh123

To re-use plastic freezer bags do they need to be sterilised? If so, how? Or does a quick wash do the job? thanks

taxsaver

Depends what was in them. If just breads or veg etc. then a quick wash is fine. If meats were in them then they definitely need very thorough cleaning, in boiling water or inside out in your dishwasher (if you have one) and I would even then suggest using it the next time still inside out iykwim.

In all honesty I wouldn't bother to reuse a meat bag, unless you're talking about the rather more expensive special vacuum bags.

ksh123

That was quick! and helpful. Don't have a dishwasher unfortunately bu oh, how I wish I did
Hadn't thought about what goes in them, but like eg tonight I took a lasagne out of one so that definitely counts as a meat bag I think, I get what you are saying tho, about making the distinction.
They are just such good strong bags it seems such a waste to bin them.

trolleyrun

I just wash mine in hot soapy water, rinse and leave to dry naturally. I don't sterilise anything, mind, and I've not been ill in years, it's even been at least 3 years since I had a cold (knocking on wood as I type this, lol).

Just remember that whatever food you store in it is going to be heated thoroughly anyways, so that would kill off any bacteria (I'm not including rice in that, as I never freeze rice - too dodgy).

Betty_Crumble

Presumably you mean cooked meat as you said its a lasagne, a hot soapy wash should be fine, it's just like washing a plate but its a plastic bag instead. i tend to throw anything i've froze and defrosted raw meat in though. Just an idea but i know when the kids have left ice pole wrappers in their pockets they have survived a cycle in the washer, worth a go i suppose but i'm still excluding the raw meat ones here. Must admit i've not been doing this long myself but won't go back now, the idea is genius :idea:

fuddle

trolleyrun wrote: »

Just remember that whatever food you store in it is going to be heated thoroughly anyways, so that would kill off any bacteria (I'm not including rice in that, as I never freeze rice - too dodgy).

Apologies OP as this isn't relevant to your question but can I just quickly ask what is :eek: about freezing rice? I've not heard that before and don't want to give my children anything nasty.

ragz_2

There's nothing wrong with freezing rice, as such, it's just that rice is often reheated too many times or not reheated well enough and the bacteria it can carry can be quite nasty so a lot of people don't like to take the risk.

valk_scot

I don't sterilize the plastic boxes I use for freezing, so why would I do a bag? I don't reuse some bags ie for raw meat or sloppy sauces, but I'll happily wash out and reuse veg, fruit and bread bags.

valk_scot

fuddle wrote: »

Apologies OP as this isn't relevant to your question but can I just quickly ask what is :eek: about freezing rice? I've not heard that before and don't want to give my children anything nasty.

Rice freezes very well. It's the hanging around at room temperature or barely warm that's dangerous. When I cook rice I rinse it off straight away in cold water, drain it and then it goes straight into the fridge for use later that day or is portioned up and it goes into the freezer immediately. I reheat in the microwave straight from the fridge or freezer just before serving it...if you freeze it in portions it's very quick. Rinsing it to cool it quickly is actually safer than letting it cool down in the pot or sieve because it eliminates the warm stage, and as a benefit it stops the rice going sticky.

You can also keep rice hot in the oven of course, in a covered dish. The bacteria that produce the toxins that make rice a possible health risk only multiply in warm to room temperature conditions. Properly hot or very cold storage is safe, though within reason for time of course. I wouldn't keep rice in the fridge for longer than 24 hours.

If you have left rice out at room temperature, for instance in a carry out container on the kitchen worksurface overnight, then it's not safe to eat even if you do nuke it and get it really hot. This will kill the bacteria, yes, but it won't destroy the toxin build up and that can make you very ill.

Mrs_Veg_Plot

I have also been re using freezer bags for about a year now and just wash them in hot soapy water and clip them onto one of those underwear peg holders to dry. I dont re use ones that I have used for raw meat though.

Seakay

Great idea about the peg holder Mrs Veg Plot.
I don't have a dishwasher and just wash and drain bags. If you did want to reuse raw meat bags then I'd suggest a final rinse in Miltons or a cheaper version of the same, diluted as for sterilising babies bottles, just to be on the safe side. ( I know you'd probably just wash a plate or storage box, but it's easier to thoroughly clean a rigid surface)