Deep freezer newbie..

[Gladiola]

I've had a hard time with my small chest freezer. for the bottom side that is so low and hard to reach, I pack containers in paper grocery bags (w/handles). You can scoot the top basket over to retrieve the bag(s) by the handles and review your list of contents. This may not be the best, but it works for me.

[pat in east texas]

I have a large chest freezer and use it for large-batch cooked things and meat and fish that's on sale. In the summer I freeze excess garden produce. And when I get to Dallas and shop at Central Market, I freeze the bread and bagels I buy there. I'm short, and use small baskets besides the 4 sliding ones so I don't have to dredge the bottom. Also the baskets keep things organized and keep things from sliding all over. And everything is labeled and dated!

[Incognito]

To save space, first freeze foods flat on cookie sheets: peeled bananas, fruits without plastic, other foods in plastic; then transfer fruits to flat plastic bags & stack the packages in the freezer.
Wear mittens or gloves; keep a pair next to the freezer to eliminate stress and frozen fingers.

You're going to save a ton of money by having frozen food on hand, being able to utilize your left-overs in the best ways, freezing batch cooking & baking & school lunches, and stocking up during sales.

[frugalfranny]

Wear mittens or gloves; keep a pair next to the freezer to eliminate stress and frozen fingers.

YES!!! My bil gave me a pair of 'diving gloves' and I love them. If I have to re-arrange or dig for very long the cold kills my hands! Great for when I am defrosting.

I have seen them at T. Shops but a pair of regular 'winter gloves' would work too.