Storage is an important process in freezer cooking. Before ever starting a freezer cooking session, you will need to be sure you have enough baggies, containers, glass pans and aluminum pans to complete your entire cooking process. Nothing is worse than when you finish assembling everything, only to find out you have no way to store it.
There are several methods for storage:
Plastic Baggies: These are great for gravies, meat, sauces, pasta, and other items. They are easy to write on with a permanent marker and they take up the least amount of room. For best results, be sure and use freezer bags that zip close, rather than the older style snap close baggies.
Plastic Containers: While some people use those expensive plastic containers that you can only find at the very popular home parties, that is not necessary. I purchase the disposable Gladware and reuse it every time. It’s really inexpensive, and works great. I recommend using the square or rectangle shapes, and not the circles. The squares and rectangles take up the least amount of space, and are easily stacked.
Glass Pans: This is my favorite method of freezer storage, however with the vast amount of meals that I make at one time, I could never properly store or purchase enough to work for me for all of my meals. I have a ton, which I have been given as gifts, purchased on sale and yes, even found at garage sales and flea markets. They are the easiest to store, especially if they come with lids. If they do not come with lids, using freezer quality tin foil to cover the dish, works just fine.
Disposable Aluminum Pans: These can be purchased at bulk food warehouse stores, as well as at discount chains. They are usually disposable, but you can actually use them several times before having to toss them out. Usually they will come with lids, which makes for easy storage. Overtime, the cost can add up, but if you are saving a lot of money by using the freezer cooking method, you might be able to buy them in bulk for a great discount and not lose much money.
For more great articles on freezer cooking, please see the freezer cooking section in the frugal living blog or for some excellent recipes to prepare, visit the food blog.