Question for those who reuse ziplock/sandwich bags. ty

**LuvMyHubby** · 05-12-2008, 10:17 PM

I noticed that some wash and reuse their ziplock and sandwich bags. I have started to do this also but only when I have stored non meat items. I have been really leery to wash and reuse something that had chicken or pork (uncooked) in it.

For those who do this normally, do you also rewash and reuse the bags that you have stored raw meat or do you just cut your losses and throw them out?

**Samigirl** · 05-12-2008, 11:28 PM

I used to throw away all meat bags, but I've tried something new lately. First, I make sure the meat baggies are clearly labeled with whatever meat is inside it. Then, whenever I take meat out of the freezer, I'll put the empty baggie back in the freezer. When I need to freeze meat again, I'll use one of those baggies out of the freezer. Does anyone see a problem with this? I've often wondered if this was a bad idea.

**Frugal Cook** · 05-12-2008, 11:46 PM

I wash and reuse most of the heavy weight (freezer, steamer, handi-vac) bags that have not contained meat.

As for Samigirl's reusing bags used for meat, it should be noted that freezing does NOT kill bacteria or other organisms. Each time the bag comes out of the freezer even momentarily the organisms grow a little more and will contaminate the new meat that was inserted and/or the new meat adds to the community. Potentially very dangerous in my book. I'm frugal, but I have to draw the line on things dangerous.

**Samigirl** · 05-13-2008, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by Frugal Cook

I wash and reuse most of the heavy weight (freezer, steamer, handi-vac) bags that have not contained meat.

As for Samigirl's reusing bags used for meat, it should be noted that freezing does NOT kill bacteria or other organisms. Each time the bag comes out of the freezer even momentarily the organisms grow a little more and will contaminate the new meat that was inserted and/or the new meat adds to the community. Potentially very dangerous in my book. I'm frugal, but I have to draw the line on things dangerous.

Thanks for the info. I'm not into doing things that are dangerous either. That's why I asked if it was a bad idea.

**Momto2Boyz** · 05-13-2008, 07:35 AM

I don't store raw meat in sandwich bags, because I am too nervous about resuing them that way. I usually portion out the raw meat and store them in re-useable glad ware, and it works just as well. I don't store meats for long periods of time, so I don't have to worry about freezer burn.

But here is my thought...I take the gladware and handwash them in the sink with hot water and dish soap. I do the same thing when I wash out the baggies. I soak them for a minute in a sink full of out soapy water, swish them around for a bit, then rinse them. I would think this would be the same as washing the gladware...so I would think it would be ok.

**LuvMyHubby** · 05-13-2008, 07:51 AM

Thank you all for your responses. I am getting the hang of being organized enough to mark the bags but not quite there yet.

I was actually very amazed at the number of sandwich and ziplock bags that we go through once I started reusing them..absolutely amazed. Hubby thought I had finally gone off the deep end when I told him what I was going to start doing and I'm not sure he still thinks it is worth the hassle..but I do!

**ecgsmama** · 05-13-2008, 08:00 AM

I wash and reuse bags that have contained meat. When I reuse the bags, however, it is usually to double bag things. For example, I buy bulk ground beef on sale and wrap portions in plastic wrap and then put the portions in a reused freezer bag.

**Dancing Lotus** · 05-13-2008, 08:09 AM

I saw a tv special that said you should NEVER reuse a bag that contained raw meat. No matter how you wash it. So I just don't.

**Holly** · 05-13-2008, 08:23 AM

Put a capful of clorox in your water when you wash your gladware .
I thow bags that had raw meat in them in the burn barrel.

**LuvMyHubby** · 05-13-2008, 08:27 AM

I think I saw the same show Ann.

I could use aluminum foil but I don't see the need to thaw out ground beef if I am only going to plop it in the pan and brown it up. It is so much easier to run a plastic bag under cold water and pop that puppy right out of there whereas I have to watch for little peices of foil if I use it.
I like the gladware idea also but my freezer is tiny with no shelves. I like that I can plop ground beef in a bag and flatten it and stack them, not sure I could get the same space with gladware.

**Twinkle** · 05-13-2008, 09:19 AM

To be safe, I always throw out the bags that have had meat in them. I have used the non-meat bags over and over without any problems

**Samigirl** · 05-13-2008, 10:25 AM

I noticed I forgot to mention that I wash the bags in hot water before putting them back in the freezer, but now I'm second guessing reusing the meat bags at all. I'm going to start throwing them away again. It's not worth taking a chance on. Besides, it's too much work anyway...ha.

**Frugal Cook** · 05-13-2008, 11:34 PM

A quote from the National Center for Home Food Preservation:

"Does freezing kill germs?
Freezing does not kill all bacteria, yeasts and molds present in food, but it does prevent their multiplication if the food is held at 0°F or less. When thawed, the surviving organisms can multiply again.
http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/questions/FAQ_freezing.html

**LuvMyHubby** · 05-14-2008, 08:05 AM

Again, thanks to everyone for their responses.

I think I will just toss the ones I have had raw meat in or maybe wash them well and keep them seperate for toting laundry detergent to the laundomat or for storing other non food items.

Now that I am getting into re using them, it seem such a waste to toss them if I can find another use for them.