New to stockpiling - freezer questions!!!

**Anniev6176** · 08-19-2009, 03:16 PM

Hey everyone, I'm sure these questions have been answered many times before, but I have a few freezer questions.....

Today: Can I freeze American Cheese slices or tubs of butter (like the I Can't Believe It's Not tubs)

Thanks in advance!!

Annie

**savvy_sniper** · 08-19-2009, 03:42 PM

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_fnut/HRA...e/freezsto.htm

**MaryCarney** · 08-19-2009, 10:31 PM

I buy and freeze cheese like that all the time. I don't buy tub butter, but I freeze stick type as well.

**dschipman** · 08-19-2009, 10:35 PM

We freeze sliced and shredded cheese as well as tubs of butter.

**frugalfranny** · 08-20-2009, 01:37 AM

I freeze butter......margarine......all sorts of cheese, including cream cheese, all sorts of bread items. But some of the cheeses you will only be able to 'cook' with........don't expect to put the shredded cheese on a taco and have it like the regular shredded stuff.......changes texture just a bit.

**frugalfranny** · 08-20-2009, 01:40 AM

Thanks SS for the website........some good info.

**Grainlady** · 08-20-2009, 05:01 PM

How long are you expecting the cheese to last in the freezer, because the refrigerator may be a better choice. They keep the same length of time refrigerated or FROZEN.

Personally, I wouldn't take up my limited freezer space with cheese, especially cheese slices, because it generally has a 5-6-month out use-by date, when kept in a refrigerator. I noticed some cheese slices at the store yesterday that had a February SELL-by date - so you know it's good for longer than that.

You can extend that date by taking the slices out of the original outside wrapper (NOT the wrapper that is around the individual cheese slice, but the outside celophane wrapping), and vacuum seal the cheese slices in a FoodSaver bag and refrigerate. This way you won't alter the texture of the cheese from freezing.

A frugal point - I realize we've been brainwashed by KRAFT advertising to believe slices are the only way we can add cheese to a sandwich or make a proper grilled cheese sandwich, but I'm here to say you can save a lot of money by using shredded cheese from bulk cheese you shred yourself (Cheddar, American, Pepper Jack, etc.), and eliminate cheese slices all together. Figure the cost per ounce of slices, compared to cost per ounce of bulk cheese.

In the world of food storage, freezers are not considered a good choice for food storage dollars because they can quit running for any number of reasons. If you are without electricity for an extended period of time, you can lose a lot of food $$$. Food storage books always emphasize shelf-stable foods.

To keep electrical expenses low, I only have the freezer on my refrigerator, so I'm VERY careful what gets placed in it. Free-standing freezers are convenient, but rarely are they money savers if you add in the cost of running it. Depending on where freezers are located and the age of the freezer, they can actually cost more in energy use than the savings of the bargains we stuff in them.

Some options to ponder over..........

**MrsOcean** · 10-09-2009, 04:32 PM

I tried to click on the link up there in Savvy_Sniper's post & it said 'page not found'. Can anyone help and repost a new link? Thanks!!

**NikoSan999** · 10-09-2009, 04:47 PM

Agree with grainlady. I freeze butter but cheese slices stay good forever and I do mean forever. Try it. Hide one slice in the refrigerator. Next year you couldn't tell the difference. Shows how much preservatives are in there.

Shredded cheese I get in big bags with the ziplock. When opened I squeeze all the air out of it and roll it like a loaf then finish "zipping" it. Then I take a gallon freezer bag and do the same thing. Squish, squeeze, roll and finish zipping. Stays good 3 times longer than just the use and zip way. Takes a little longer but stays good MUCH longer.