Freezing Meats and Baggies

[Nada.Leona]

I was reading the thread about frugal alternatives to commonly purchased products and one thing I noted was how many people wash and reuse their baggies.

Now I have a question. DH and I use baggies almost exclusively for freezing bulk meats purchased on sale -- the rule is, $1.99/lb or less only -- and we rarely use them for other purposes. Lunch is usually taken in reusable plastic and glass containers, as are leftovers, etc. And we don't reuse the bags we keep meat in, for fear of contamination and spread of bacteria (though we do wash them and toss them in our recycling bins).

What else do you use to freeze meats in? Anything cheaper than baggies that you've thought of? I would be interested to hear.

[NewLeaf]

That's a great question.....I have tried other things like bread bags (doubled) or even plastic containers w/lids, but my meat ends up frost bitten. My mother has put meat in the bread bags and then wrapped w/aluminum foil. Lately I have been leaving the meat in the store wrapping and wrapping it in the store plastic bags. But it is stuff we plan on eating soon.
I didn't really answer your question , but I look forward to some good answers from other FVer's

[Russ]

To help avoid freezer burn, we always run a sink of cold water, put whatever item in the baggie then dunk the baggie as far as we can into the sink without getting water in it and zip it shut. This pushes out all the air. It seems to help.

[mombottoo]

I don't wash or reuse ziplocs or baggies. I do rinse them out to be recycled.

If you buy in bulk, the most economical way to freeze your meat would be to invest in some good, freezer containers of various sizes and use them.

If you buy in bulk at the meat counter, rather than have them put all your meat into one package for you to package at home; have them package it in the size packages you want right there and have them use freezer wrap, rather than the plastic wrap. My dd does this when she buys bulk, she goes to the meat counter first, gives them a list showing what she wants & package sizes, does the rest of her shopping & by the time she's done so is her meat.

[Grainlady]

FoodSaver bags. Extends the freezer life, and prevents freezer burn because all the air is removed.

The key to preventing the migration of moisture from the food to the package is a TIGHT WRAP to avoid as much air in the packaging as possible. Even the tip for sucking air out of zip-lock bags using a drinking straw is a good tip.

If you've ever purchased butcher-wrapped meats (also known as the drugstore wrap), it's first wrapped in a tight layer of plastic wrap, then a tight layer of freezer paper (foil is also another wrap possibility that helps prevent freezer burn). This is a fairly good way to freeze meats if you don't have a vacuum sealer, and probably better and less expensive than freezer zip-lock bags.

You may find the information at these links helpful:

http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/foods/F...%20poultry.htm

http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/spe...ing_foods.html

[Contrary Housewife]

I only re-use bags that had dry foods in them, bread or cookies for example.

I pack the meat various ways. Some things like cryo-vac corned beef or pork loin goes in as-is. A lot of meat I just put away in the tray it comes in (if it is 1lb or so) , but lately I have taken to wrapping them in plastic wrap also. For 'family packs' that I break up into smaller servings I use freezer zippy bags. The plastic is thicker and it seems to work.

[Brat]

I just use freezer paper but try to get all the air that I can out of it before I tape it shut. Your need to make sure that the wax part of the paper is against the meat so there is no or little air in the package.

[shoiji]

I have also used freezer paper, saran wrap, aluminum foil.

I also will use the ball jars to freeze jam or soups. Guess you could use it for ground meat or chunks of meat.

It all depends on what works best for you. Many times you can save in other areas to help pay for the plastic bags. I always try to buy an extra box of bags when they go on sale.

[frugalfranny]

I think freezer paper is cheaper than baggies but I have used both. Depends on what it is, how long I plan to keep it, etc.

The roll of freezer paper is huge that I get from my groc. store. Lasts a long time. I have also used saran and then wrap in alum foil.

[Palooka]

To help avoid freezer burn, we always run a sink of cold water, put whatever item in the baggie then dunk the baggie as far as we can into the sink without getting water in it and zip it shut. This pushes out all the air. It seems to help.

Interesting. I might try that. Thanks.

[trinaren]

I've always used baggies and washed and reused them, even for meat. We just use antibacterial soap. We've done it for almost 10 years and never had a problem.

[peanut]

Actually, I've been reusing Ziploc baggies for meat for over 10 years now. I turn them inside out and wash them well with dish detergent and water between uses. If I feel even the hint of grease on an airdried baggie I won't use it though. It has to be spotless!

When I put the meat in, I scrunch it to fill every corner of the baggie I can (think ground beef/turkey/pork), getting as much air out as possible before sealing.

[frugalwarrior2]

Things like hamb. get cooked before freezing. You use less baggies (and freezer space). Cool,crumble in bag,put air out,lay flat to freeze Cookie sheet). Stack (gallon bags) , It should thin enough to break off a chunk.

Russ> great idea. I have a dim memory of my parents doing that. And of defrosting things in cold water in the sink in a pan before microwaves. Yes before.

[ImEmile]

I can save a bit on meat by going to a certain super market, but the quality isn't as good as quite a few butcher shops.

If I go down to Beirut I can buy meat for 10,000 LL a kilo (a little over $6 for 2 pounds). If I buy it up here (and save the gas) I pay 13,000 LL at one shop, or 15,000 at the guy nearest my house. I buy 1/2 a kilo at a time and try to make 2 dishes that call for 1/2 lb. to make it go farther. I also try to use chicken a lot, which bugs DS5, who doesn't like many chicken dishes. {sigh}

When I store it, I keep it in the butcher paper and pop it in the freezer. Once it's defrosted, any remaining stays in the frig for a day or two until I use it.

If I store anything containing meat that's not in the original wrapper, I use a plastic baggie. I don't reuse it though. Plastic baggies for school lunches and other things get washed and reused.

[karone]

With us we wrap our meat in wax paper, then in foil, then we put the meat in a freezer bag.