Are you tired of rummaging through a cluttered freezer drawer to find what you need? If so, you’re not alone. Freezers can quickly become chaotic, making it difficult to keep track of what you have and maintain good food hygiene.
In this post, we’ve gathered advice from professional organizers to help you get your freezer drawers in order. Whether you have a standing or chest freezer, these tips will help you maximize your storage space and keep your frozen foods organized and easily accessible. Say goodbye to freezer chaos and hello to hassle-free cooking!
When it comes to organizing your freezer, there are a few key principles to keep in mind. Like a refrigerator, it’s important to group similar items together, understand which foods should be frozen versus refrigerated, and identify the best areas of the freezer for different products.
Here are some tips from professional organizers to help you ace your freezer organization:
1 Start with a declutter:
Before you start organizing, it’s essential to clear out any old or expired food. Elizabeth Lulu Miranda, a professional organizer and founder of Mercury Organizing in Chicago, suggests working one drawer at a time to see how much frozen food you’re actually using. If you’re tossing out a lot of outdated items, it might be time to reconsider your freezing habits and opt for fresh foods instead.
Read on for more expert tips to help you maximize your freezer space and streamline your kitchen routine!
2. Keep raw meats and seafood separate
When it comes to maintaining good food safety and hygiene, there are certain rules to follow when storing items in your freezer. According to professional organizers, the number one rule is to keep raw meats and seafood separate from other items to prevent cross-contamination.
Barbara Oldham, founder of The Inspired Home by B, recommends using separate drawers in your freezer for raw meat and seafood, or using dividers and labeled containers to keep them away from produce. Elizabeth Lulu Miranda, another professional organizer, suggests storing meat and seafood in the bottom drawer of your freezer for several reasons. This area is often the coldest, making it ideal for keeping volatile foods at a safe temperature. Additionally, storing raw meat on the bottom prevents any liquids from leaking onto other items if the packaging is not properly sealed.
3. Use one drawer per food category
Just like organizing kitchen drawers, grouping frozen goods by category is a great way to make finding items in your freezer quicker and easier. Professional organizer Elizabeth Lulu Miranda recommends using one drawer for one category of frozen goods.
Consider designating specific drawers for raw meat and fish, pre-packaged frozen goods such as vegetables and oven food, packaged leftovers, sweet treats like ice creams, and bread and pastry goods. By separating items by category, you’ll be able to easily locate what you need without wasting time searching through a jumble of frozen foods.
4. Use clear containers to store food
Clear food containers with air-tight seals can be an excellent tool for organizing your freezer more efficiently. According to professional organizer Britnee Tanner, it’s essential to measure your freezer before buying containers to ensure that they fit perfectly.
Before heading to the store, Britnee suggests shopping your own home for containers you already have to avoid waste. The Container Store’s bins are among the many options that allow for full customization of your freezer. Start with one or two bins to see how they help streamline your freezer drawers, then add more as needed.
By utilizing clear containers with air-tight seals, you can easily see what’s inside each container and avoid wasting time digging through frozen foods to find what you need.
5. Opt for freezer-safe bags to portion food and save space
If you’re short on space for multiple bins and containers, reusable freezer bags can be an excellent alternative, particularly for smaller items or shallow drawers. These silicone bags, available on Amazon, are a favorite of professional organizer Jackie Pittman, founder of Chez Nous Organizing. They’re perfect for storing fruits, vegetables, and pre-portioned meals, saving valuable freezer space. For easy identification, make sure to label the bags with the contents and date of freezing.
For avid meal preppers, vacuum-sealed bags may be a better option. They help prevent freezer burn and keep food fresh for longer, notes organizer Elizabeth Lulu Miranda. Vacuum-sealed bags also help save space, allowing you to store more food in the freezer.
If you’re struggling with freezer organization and limited space, try utilizing these space-saving alternatives to freezer bins.
