How to Make a Chest Freezer Easier to Use

Organize your chest freezer so you can find food easier.

You bought a chest freezer to save money, but finding anything in the disorganized piles inside it is a challenge. Many people have good intentions when filling their chest freezers but, through lack of planning, they create a bigger problem than the one they're trying to solve. Organizing your chest freezer to make it easier to use is a matter of finding a method that is convenient for you and using it every time you store food in the freezer. Add some logic and organization to your chest freezer and it will be worth what you paid for it.

Things You'll Need

• Permanent marker
• Wax pencil
• Zip top bags
• Milk crates
• Cardboard boxes
• Woven plastic shopping bags

Instructions

1. Write the expiration date in large numbers on the outside of every food package. Use a permanent marker or wax pencil in black for easier viewing.

2. Break down larger packages of food into smaller containers. Package ground meat in 1 pound bags, soup in quarts and prepared foods in single servings. Pack all of these food in freezer-grade zip top bags, and freeze them flat until hard.

3. Find or purchase containers in which to store your food. Use milk crates, boxes from the liquor store or woven plastic grocery tote bags, or use a combination of all of these containers. Store each type of food, like poultry, beef, soup and ice cream, in a separate box or container.

4. Place larger pieces of food destined for long-term storage, like turkeys and whole pork loins, on the bottom. Add a layer of mid-range storage items like 1 pound packages of ground beef and individual chicken parts. Store items that you use frequently, like bread and ice cream, in the wire basket on top.

References

• Studio 5: Organizing Your Freezer