Best containers for freezing meals/leftovers?

whitesatin

I am looking forward to getting my new, upright freezer later this week. I am hoping it will be both convenient and cost saving eventually.

I will probably batch cook things like chilli, bolognaise, lasagnes, Christmas preparation etc. and now I need to think about the best kind of containers to buy, e.g. foil ones with lids like takeaway containers, or whether I should go for plastic, lock n lock type ones although I realise that those couldn't go into the oven and would require the food to be put into oven proof dishes.

I'd welcome any advice, good sources etc. Thanks.

ilikewatch

Because 90% of our frozen meals are reheated in the oven we use foil trays to freeze them. I tend to buy in bulk from eBay - I've previously bought from a company from Leicester called Venus Packaging and we're very happy with the quality and price of the product.

jackieblack

For things I'll want to reheat/cook in the oven I use foil trays, for things I'll want to 'ding' in the MW I use the plastic takeaway type container. I buy both types in Wilkinsons v inexpensively

EssexExile

Plastic bags.

katipip

Because my husband works a shift pattern I often batch cook entire meals which I then "plate up" and freeze.

In this way he can grab an entire meal from the freezer, defrost it in the microwave and be eating it within 10 minutes.

To do this I purchased a couple of sets of 25cm silicone pie dishes from Ebay (about £5 for a set of 4) and then froze entire meals in them (before freezing put the filled pie dish into a freezer bag).

Works perfectly.

WantToBeSE

I use foil trays too. Very easy and simple, plus cheap.

whitesatin

ilikewatch wrote: »

Because 90% of our frozen meals are reheated in the oven we use foil trays to freeze them. I tend to buy in bulk from eBay - I've previously bought from a company from Leicester called Venus Packaging and we're very happy with the quality and price of the product.

Thanks for that, ilikewath, I will take a look on ebay and google the company you mention.

whitesatin

jackieblack wrote: »

For things I'll want to reheat/cook in the oven I use foil trays, for things I'll want to 'ding' in the MW I use the plastic takeaway type container. I buy both types in Wilkinsons v inexpensively

Thanks, jackieblack, we have a Wilkinsons in the town so I will take a look - I haven't looked for these before but I know their stuff is good value.

whitesatin

EssexExile wrote: »

Plastic bags.

I have recently bought lots of Ikea bags but have never used them for freezing before. They are good quality and reusable too which appeals.

I am just a tad wary of plastic though I am not sure why really.

Thanks.

whitesatin

katipip wrote: »

Because my husband works a shift pattern I often batch cook entire meals which I then "plate up" and freeze.

In this way he can grab an entire meal from the freezer, defrost it in the microwave and be eating it within 10 minutes.

To do this I purchased a couple of sets of 25cm silicone pie dishes from Ebay (about £5 for a set of 4) and then froze entire meals in them (before freezing put the filled pie dish into a freezer bag).

Works perfectly.

That sounds good, katipip but I can't have silicone in the house as all of my grandchildren are allergic to it. I recently had to get rid of some cup cake holders, spatulas, child size baking equipment etc. as they showed classic signs of allergies which gave me a fright. They like to help in the kitchen so I needed to get rid of all the things I had made from silicone, annoyingly.

So, as I said, it sounds ideal if you don't have that issue. Thanks for your suggestion.

CathA

What about good old empty ice cream containers? Or old takeaway containers? I've always washed out used butter /spread tubs and used them. Can be a bit of a lottery as to what's in them, I was trying to find some stew once and it took ages to find it! Tip-put labels on them or you'll be hunting for ages.