Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
How do yall freeze leftovers?
Collapse
X
-
I don't have a vac sealer, but for important long term freezes... I use a gallon zip bag, push as much air out as I can, then submerse in the sink without letting water in to let the water press the last of the air out.
- Likes 1
-
If you're not sure you'll use a vacsealer a lot look at the new anova and the Nescos. What you'll find is that there are always about 10% 1 star reviews of any model... but they complain about things like "This squished my muffins!" (not kidding) or something. I grabbed the baby Nesco (https://www.amazon.com/VS-02-Vacuum-...s%2C211&sr=8-4 ) and it's fine for the occasional stuff I use it for. If you do big session of vacsealing like some here, you'd want a larger capacity unit.
Leave a comment:
-
Well, isn't it convenient that my birthday is coming up. Time for some research!
- Likes 2
Leave a comment:
-
I'm vote #147 for a vacuum sealer.
Don't scrimp on bag quality either -- thicker bags are more abrasion resistant, so less likely to loose their seal when a bone or other sharp bit pokes into the plastic.
Also make your packages as flat and smooth as possible for most efficient use of freezer space and also for faster thawing.
Portion only enough into each bag to make one meal for the number of people you normally cook for. If I'm freezing pork shoulder, for example, I'll put 6 ounces of cooked meat by weight into each bag. That makes a generous meal of burritos or loaded nachos for the 2 of us.
- Likes 2
Leave a comment:
-
Michael_in_TX if food is vacuum sealed it helps reduce formation of ice crystals and freezer burn due to the defrost cycle on a normal freezer.
-
IMO, a freezer that doesn't have auto defrost is a "true" freezer in the sense that Rick is talking about. Typical chest freezers don't have auto defrost -- you have to manually defrost every so often when a thick layer of frost builds up on the walls of the freezer.
-
I did not know this. Interesting! It would stand to reason that I probably should plan to use frozen cooked and uncooked foods within about 3-4 months then.
-
I have a small chest deep freeze - not even sure of the cubic feet, probably 7-ish. I use a couple of plastic egg crates to store stuff in, stacking one on top of the other, then have the compressor hump to store things on, and a basket that hangs in the door opening that is slid over the compressor hump area.
Wife would like it out of the laundry room, so I gotta figure out how to make space for it in a garage that already has 2 full size upright refrigerators and two kegerators.
- Likes 2
-
Yeah...same here. Could not imagine not having a sealer. Sorry....
Leave a comment:
-
Ok, I gotta say it...I use the freezer to freeze any leftovers. I have not found anything else that does a better job than my freezer.
Sorry, couldn't resist!
- Likes 3
Leave a comment:
-
Here is just one more guy who loves his vacuum sealer machine. Best gadget in the whole kitchen and pays for itself many times over in a few months in saving food like fresh. Vac sealed food is like new for 3-4 months and still petty good after that!
- Likes 1
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by jfmorris View PostVacuum sealers are awesome for preserving both fresh and smoked meat. I use my foodsaver to seal up pulled pork, ribs, chicken even, and drop it in the deep freeze. With all the air out there is no freezer burn. I try to make meal sized portions that we can microwave for quick meals during the week.
now, I will add this. Freezer type matters. The typical frost free freezer in a refrigerator has daily defrost cycles that will decrease quality of frozen items in a couple of months. A true deep freeze with no automatic defrost keeps items below 0F indefinitely, and I’ve reheated frozen foods after many months and they’ve had great quality.
I also cut my own steaks from primal and vacuum seal them and freeze.
Leave a comment:
-
Vacuum sealing hands down is the best, but you can get by without, especially if you need to save up for one. Then there is the chamber versus suction sealer debate, so do some homework, research, and ask questions. Meanwhile, freezer bags or plastic wrap and butcher paper, and from the comments, but not personal experience, aluminium foil will suffice. And you are correct, get out as much air as possible.
- Likes 1
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Leave a comment: