Does anyone use those inexpensive...

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

...ziploc or glad plastic storage containers for use in the freezer?

[chiver78]

containers, no, but I use the ziploc freezer bags when I make sauce (I just saw your post in the J's thread) and have no problems. I fill them mostly-full to allow for any settling and stack on the floor of my freezer until they are solid. then, I stand them up in the back until I need them. I don't have much freezer space either, and this seems to work. I use this method for soup, too. as long as I've got about a 7x7" footprint on the bottom shelf to work with, I'm all set.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

How long does stuff like that keep in the freezer? I am thinking about the containers for portioning out pre-cooked stuff to ease the boringness of sandwiches for supper every night. I am working full time and 3/4 time at school, and it would just make things a lot easier for DH to get dinner together if all he has to do is make up some side dishes or something like that.

He works 55-60 hours a week, so we are both pretty busy right now.

[chiver78]

I keep soups, sauces, chilis for a few months as I work through them. I just tried my hand at freezing some pot pies recently, I just put the whole foil pan - individual sized - into a ziploc bag and called it good. that's usually what I do with cooked solid foods anyway, wrap in foil and then the ziploc. as long as it's a thicker-walled, double-zip bag, you're usually all set with freezer burn and such. get all the air out, obviously though.

[Apple]

Cheesy, I've tried it, and I've found that the real cheap ones tend to get brittle and break. On occasion when I make something in a dish I need to use again, I'll freeze it in the dish and then pop it out and put it in a ziplock bag (I found the Glad Press and Seal at Costco a while ago so I've been wrapping in that and then putting it in a freezer bag, works great). When I'm ready to heat it up I just pull it out of the freezer and put it back in the dish to cook.

[Deleted]

The store brand is not that sturdy. So, I'll sport for the name brand!

[desertmover]

Like Aple, I found that the cheap, disposable ones were brittle and tend to crack in the freezer. However, my fabulously frugal MIL has taught me to save plastic tubs that margarine, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc come in as they freeze foods very well. You just have to mark the contents on the outside as you can't see in. The price is right and it is a form of recycling!

Mover

[chiver78]

Jan 15, 2011 12:52:39 GMT -5 @desertmover said:

Like Aple, I found that the cheap, disposable ones were brittle and tend to crack in the freezer. However, my fabulously frugal MIL has taught me to save plastic tubs that margarine, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc come in as they freeze foods very well. You just have to mark the contents on the outside as you can't see in. The price is right and it is a form of recycling!

Mover

wow, I didn't know this. the only thing I use in tubs is cottage cheese, but I will definitely give it a shot the next time I've got an empty tub. thanks!

[Deleted]

How about one of those sucker-upper gizmos? They aren't as expensive as when they first came out and work really well. 'Course you can't reuse the bags, so that could run into a little $$. I like the Glad and Ziploc containers. If the container isn't full, press a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the contents to prevent freezer burn. Or...inspired idea that I just thought of...line the container with plastic wrap using enough to fold over the top. That way you can just lift out the contents and peel of the plastic wrap before thawing and/or reheating.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Jan 15, 2011 12:52:39 GMT -5 @desertmover said:

Like Aple, I found that the cheap, disposable ones were brittle and tend to crack in the freezer. However, my fabulously frugal MIL has taught me to save plastic tubs that margarine, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc come in as they freeze foods very well. You just have to mark the contents on the outside as you can't see in. The price is right and it is a form of recycling!

Mover

Oh...I do save those containers. I did not think those would be good for freezer use!

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Jan 15, 2011 13:00:44 GMT -5 @missrigby said:

How about one of those sucker-upper gizmos? They aren't as expensive as when they first came out and work really well. 'Course you can't reuse the bags, so that could run into a little $$. I like the Glad and Ziploc containers. If the container isn't full, press a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the contents to prevent freezer burn. Or...inspired idea that I just thought of...line the container with plastic wrap using enough to fold over the top. That way you can just lift out the contents and peel of the plastic wrap before thawing and/or reheating.

I do have one of those, and I use it when I buy meat in bulk to portion it out. I just did not feel that would be useful for liquid stuff like soups and sauces.

[Apple]

Jan 15, 2011 14:35:39 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

Jan 15, 2011 12:52:39 GMT -5 @desertmover said:

Like Aple, I found that the cheap, disposable ones were brittle and tend to crack in the freezer. However, my fabulously frugal MIL has taught me to save plastic tubs that margarine, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc come in as they freeze foods very well. You just have to mark the contents on the outside as you can't see in. The price is right and it is a form of recycling!

Mover

Oh...I do save those containers. I did not think those would be good for freezer use!

They're great for the freezer since they are a little more flexible. I don't know if they are all microwave safe so you may have to put it in a different container to heat it up, but they stack in the freezer well (and the price is right

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Those are definitely not microwaveable, they don't do that well in the dishwasher either.

[Gardening Grandma]

I have them and really like them. I use the name brand ones. I like to cook up soups/stews etc and freeze one meal's worth in those containers. I stack them with the labels facing the front so I can see at a glance what's still there.
We hand wash them and occasionally put them in the microwave to speed up thawing. They last me a year or two then I pitch them.

[kadee]

I use cool whip & margarine containers all the time to freeze stuff for short term. We DO NOT mircowave in them....some chemicals transfer to the food if you do!
Top rack in the dishwasher & I haven't had any problems!

I don't use cheap ziplock bags or containers for freezing (long term)...too many times they have failed...both!

[startsmart]

ps.. I have one of those food saver devices and the bags are not terribly expensive considering. And you CAN re-use the bags if you open them properly by cutting close to the seal. Sure the next bag is smaller but you can re-use.

[rubyslippers]

I found a great sale on Ziplock containers awhile back and I love them for freezing and storing. I also use peanutbutter jars to store soup in the freezer.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Now is a great time to buy "holiday-themed" Ziploc bags (for use year-round!) I just bought a bunch on clearance because they were decorated for Christmas.

[toservewithlove]

As a single person, I have success with the Ziploc containers. Cheaper brands crack as was mentioned above. I will microwave on defrost first and after the food is defrosted then heat on high to help protect the container. My dad often freezes soup in the butter tubs. If I have a food that can be individually wrapped like a breakfast burrito, I will individually wrap in plastic wrap and then put them in a Ziploc or Glad Freezer bag. Around here they can be purchased on sale for no more money than what the dollar store or other generic brand would be.

Thanks Apple for the idea of popping food out of a container and then putting it back in. I will definately have to try that sometime

Cheesy:I love your Meezer pic!!

[bobbysgirl]

How do you feel about going to a local restaurant chain and ask to buy a few of the sturdy black plastic take our dishes? I use these a number of times before they die. You can place a 3 course meal in there that heats up and looks nice. I know DH works, but maybe once or twice a week he can whip up an omlet or something.

[chiver78]

Jan 16, 2011 17:30:57 GMT -5 @bobbysgirl said:

How do you feel about going to a local restaurant chain and ask to buy a few of the sturdy black plastic take our dishes? I use these a number of times before they die. You can place a 3 course meal in there that heats up and looks nice. I know DH works, but maybe once or twice a week he can whip up an omlet or something.

I think it would probably be a lot cheaper than going for takeout to restock when you deplete your supply, like I do. lol... I have a local noodle shop that I love, their soups come in the round variety of those containers. I love those things, they are damn-near indestructible!

[Becks]

I reuse the margarine and cottage cheese type containers for storing and freezing, but do not re-heat in them. Too much debate about the transfer and leeching of chemical components from the plastic after heating to trust it. Why invest in something I already generate from other products?!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I used to use the plastic Ziploc and Rubbermaid containers for freezing.

But I cook and freeze a lot (I have an upright and a chest freezer along with my fridge) and was increasingly concerned about the chemicals leaching into my food.

So, slowly but surely, I've been replacing my plastic storage containers with Pyrex containers. They can go in the freezer, the microwave, the dishwasher, and the oven. I pick them up on sale. I have a ways to go until I've completely changed over, but I'm making progress.

[donnafreedman]

For more on this subject, see "Beyond Tupperware: Frugal food storage" at Get Rich Slowly:
www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/01/05/beyond-tupperware-frugal-food-storage/
The author may look strangely familiar. ;-)