Different Methods For Effectively Storing Food
Buying in bulk saves money but requires storing food until it can be used later. Since food prices keep going up, more people are saving money by starting to buy food in bulk then repackage it in smaller containers to store it for later.
A lot of people save left-overs after a large meal, for example lots of turkey and trimmings left over after the holidays, also to save money and not waste any food that wasn’t eaten.
But you have to know what types of containers to use and where your food storage areas should be, especially for long term storage, to avoid possibly spoiling or contaminating your food.
If you practice safe food storage, your food should keep for several months, which saves you the most money in the long run and keeps the food safe for your family. For instance, certain foods can be stored at room temperature while others must be refrigerated or frozen.
For safely and properly storing food, either after a bulk purchase or after a large meal, go with these food storage guidelines:
- Food Storage Shelf
If you’re storing food on shelves, the food storage shelf should be in a cool dry area. Many foods should also be kept out of direct light. Temperatures should be set at 70 deg. F or below. All foods need to be stored in an airtight container.Foods can be stored in their original packaging provided that packaging hasn’t been opened. Alternatively it’s best to use a clear, clean container with an airtight cover.
- Refrigerated Food Storage
Some people have an extra refrigerator just for the purpose of refrigerated food storage. This is handy because you can store left-overs for a couple of days without the stored foods getting in the way of everyday items like milk and eggs.Refrigerator temperatures should be kept between 33 deg. F and 40 deg. F for optimum food safety. It’s easy to keep an eye on the temperature by keeping a thermometer inside the refrigerator. For refrigerated food storage, wrap the food in foil, plastic wrap, plastic bags or seal in airtight containers.
- Storing Food in a Freezer
Freezer temperatures should be kept at 0 deg. F or below and like with a refrigerator, it’s a good idea to keep a thermometer inside of the freezer so you can periodically check that the temperature is at the correct setting. You should freeze meals or foods in containers that are made for freezer storage only. Wrapping the food properly ahead of freezing is the most adequate way to secure against freezer burn.It’s also best to label the outside of the food packages with the current date and use the approximate time tables below to know how long you can keep the food in stored in the freezer:
- Raw meats: 6 to 12 months
- Fresh poultry: 6 to 12 months.
- Fish and shellfish: If purchased already frozen, 6 to 12 months
- Wild Game: If purchased fresh or brought home fresh after hunting, it can be frozen for up to 3 months. Note: If you own a deep freezer, you can can freeze freshly butchered venison for up to a year without losing its flavor.
- Cooked meats and Leftovers: 2 to 3 months
- Smoked meats: 1 to 2 months
Types of Containers for Storing Food
Food vacuum sealers will keep foods fresher longer in the refrigerator, the freezer, and on a shelf in the pantry. LEM vacuum sealers are perfect and affordable for the home butcher to seal fresh meats after hunting. Food vacuum sealers are designed to remove all air from the packaging prior to sealing the bags.
If you’re going to wrap meats in foil or freezer paper, you can use a hand wrapper to wrap the food in plastic wrap first, giving it some extra protection against freezer burn or possible contaminants from other foods in a refrigerator.
About the Author
About the Author: Jim Musselman is an avid hunter, home butcher and an independent distributor of commercial and home butcher supplies including hand wrappers and vacuum sealers for storing food
.
Long Term food Storage Container Reveiw
|
|
Misto Olive Oil Sprayer … |
|
|
Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker $54.98 … |
|
|
EasyLunchboxes 3-compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers (Set of 4) BPA-Free. Easy-Open Lids (Not Leakproof) $13.95 Save time, money, paper, and plastic when you use EasyLunchboxes. No more wasteful baggies or mismatched plastic containers. Now you can pack lunches fast for work or school. Even make homemade “Lunchables®!” Created by a mom of three, these bento-style, 3-compartment containers are designed to be carried upright in the EasyLunchboxes cooler bag (choose from 7 vibrant colors). Container lids stay… |
|
|
12 Pack Kids Party Favor Super Songs CD (Packaged in carrying case with Stickers, Crayons and Coloring Book) $34.50 This 12 Pack Kids Party Favor Super Songs CD will be a big hit at your next birthday party. This party favor set includes 12 individual activity kits. Each kit has: 1 CD with 50 Super Songs that kids are sure to love (see track listing for entire list of songs), Stickers, Crayons and a Coloring Book all packaged in a convenient carrying case. This product is a perfect party favor to hand out at yo… |
|
|
simplehuman Wall Mount Grocery Bag Holder, Brushed Stainless Steel $8.30 A wall mounted grocery bag holder comes complete with mounting hardware. This stainless steel unit features easy tuck opening and wide dispensing area…. |
|
|
Sterilite 16428012 Storage Box, White Lid with See-Through Base, 12-Pack, 6-Quart $17.99 This set of 12 Plastic Shoe Boxes from Sterilite are not only great for storing shoes, but also craft items, toys, and school supplies. The white lid with see through base allows you to easily view the contents inside the container. Contoured base creates handles for easy transportation. Safe space by stacking multiple boxes on top of each other…. |
|
|
500 CLEAR Reclosable Zipper Bag. 2” x 2” – 2 mil thick $0.01 500 New Resealable Plastic Bags . These high quality reclosable plastic bags allow you to have the bags you use most on hand. The reclosable seals open all the way to the edges of the bags giving you full use of the interior. Each has a 2 mil thickness and measures approximately 2″ x 2″… |
|
|
Similac Advance Early Shield Infant Formula with Iron, Ready to Feed, 8-Fluid Ounces (Pack of 24) $33.49 Similac Advance On the Go Nipple – Ready Bottles8 fl oz Ready to Feed plastic bottles- case of 24 Closer than ever to breast milkSimilac Advance EarlyShield is the first and only infant formula that has our unique blend of prebiotics, nucleotides and antioxidants — nutrients naturally found in breast milk. Plus, it has DHA and ARA, ingredients to help support your baby’s brain and eye d… |
|
|
Sundesa Blenderbottle with Blenderball Blender Bottle Blender Bottle Black 20 Oz Misc. Non Foods at HerbsCity store…. |
|
|
Fresh Baby So Easy Baby Food Freezer Trays With Lids … |
|
|
Fresh Keeper Vacuum Sealed Food/Storage Container $39.99 Extend the freshness of various foods with the Fresh Keeper vacuum containerFood storage keeps moist foods from drying outKitchen storage device removes air quickly to protect contents |
|
|
‘It’s a Birthday Celebration’ Gift Box $39.99 Give an unforgettable birthday surprise with an ‘It’s a Birthday Celebration’ gift boxFood basket is full of treats everyone is sure to loveGift basket comes packaged in a Happy Birthday box |
|
|
Natrol Carb Intercept Phase2 60 ct Dietary Supplement (Pack of 2) $22.49 This dietary supplement from Natrol supports a low-carb lifestyle by neutralizing carbohydrates found in starch-containing foods. Carb Intercept provides ‘Phase 2′ inhibiting the action of a key starch-digesting enzyme and comes in a pack of 2. |
Tags: container food, container food gardening, container food grade, container food scraps, container food storage, diy, food, garden, gardening, howto