topic Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer? in Kitchen

How long do you keep things in a freezer?

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:28:39 GMT

I don't keep anything over 6 months. I just have the freezer in my side by side so I can't go crazy filling it due to space.

I ask because my great nice was helping my cousin and was looking for something in the freezer, which was packed. My cousin lives alone.

My niece found a container of chicken soup dated 2 flippen years ago. When she said it should be tossed my cousin she kept it in case anyone in the family had a cold. My niece told her if anyone ate it a cold would be the least of their problems.

She thinks once it's frozen it's good forver. How she has not made herself or anyone sick is beyond me.

How long do you keep frozen food?

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

KJPA — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:35:31 GMT

I think it can last a long time and not make you sick. That's not to say it will taste the best or contain as many nutrients as it did in the first six months. The time also depends on the type of freezer, temp, how often the door is opened, etc. I've always heard a chest freezer stores food better than an upright.

You should go with what you are comfortable with. And perhaps don't eat anything the niece brings to you when you are sick next time!!!

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

fthunt — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:36:30 GMT

If food is packaged and wrapped properly - it's frozen and not going any where.

(Food Saver or Air Tight Container) If haven't eaten in a year - means not a fav - so throw it out = just taking up space.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

Mz iMac — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:36:50 GMT

I have a fully stocked upright freezer. I can (& do) keep food frozen up to 2 yrs.

It really depends on the food items. My freezer came w/a list of foods & how long they can stay in the freezer at zero degrees.

Sidebar: Some of my food items are both freezer paper & Food Saver wrapped.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

Sooner — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:39:18 GMT

Never ever over a year. I don't care how it is wrapped. Clean it out every fall or spring and get rid of anything over a year or not dated.

If it is a year old, cook it or out it goes.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

Kachina624 — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:40:23 GMT

I think I've seen some charts done by the USDA with recommendations on the length of time frozen food should be kept. I think a lot depends on how much fat the food contains. For example, I only keep bacon frozen for 2-3 months. Some foods deteriorate faster than others. It should also be properly packaged for the freezer.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

ECBG — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:40:27 GMT

If it's factory sealed, I'll go a year. If I sealed it at 1 year, I'll get rid of it or if it has freezer burn.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

noodleann — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:42:48 GMT

Here you go, @CrazyKittyLvr2:

https://www.fda.gov/media/74435/download

https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts

These are government agencies.

Best to you, DD, Tess, and PETUNIA!

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:44:08 GMT

@KJPA When my niece asked how long I keep stuff and then told me about my cousin's theory, I said don't eat there.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

fthunt — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:44:50 GMT

@Mz iMac "Sidebar"...................hmmm think I've heard that term used before!

sidebar - sidebar - sidebar............

Does she know what it means? LOL

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:46:39 GMT

@noodleann Same to you from RLS and the "girls".

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

KJPA — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:50:28 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 My hubby's grandma was a good cook and we ate there often when we were much younger. After she died we were cleaning out everything when some family members found frozen applesauce in the chest freezer. Dated about 20 years previous! Then proceeded to eat it! I was horrified but they didn't get sick. We never got food poisoning there and Lord knows what we might have eaten!

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

RedTop — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:50:28 GMT

One year max on anything in the freezer for me.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

millieshops — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:51:59 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 Way too many variables to give a number of months. Depends upon the kind of freezer, how the food was prepped to be frozen, how many days it was in the refrig before it was frozen, where the items were placed in the freezer, how many times the freezer was opened, how many hours the power to the freezer was disrupted, and on and on.

I have just a top freezer and I use that freezer for ice cubes, so I open it often. Sure I try to have a plan before I ever open that door, but 6 months is close to a maximum for me and for best taste and texture, I try to organize for less than that.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 19:03:06 GMT

@KJPA 20 years!!! Sweet Baby James, they are braver than I am. I'm glad no one got sick. I can't imagine it tasted very good.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

chickenbutt — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 19:04:47 GMT

I agree - different things, different life spans.

But for me, over all, I can keep things for a few years pretty easily IF, and only if, I have vacuum-sealed them. They stay pristine because no air can get to the food.

If it's something that's just in an airtight container or like processed foods I have like Lean Cuisines, unless it's dry goods (like nuts, seeds, etc), not more than a month or two probably.

The problem with anything less than vacuum-sealing is that there is air in there. Granted, the air doesn't go in an out of an airtight container, but there IS some air in there unless you are able to fill it up so hard that there's no room for air. The oxygen in the air will break down perishables.

I will put the nuts, grains, seeds, etc, in L&L and they will stay perfectly well because they aren't emitting moisture which kicks in the oxygen. Sometimes, however, I do measure out and vac-seal some nuts or seeds just to have them in the size that I will use when I take them out of the freezer. Once I purchased a carp-ton of flax seeds. For storage I figured it made more sense to just measure them out to match the L&L container that I put some in while in use and vacuum seal them that way. I can just pull out one packet, when my container that's in use is getting empty, and pour them right in. I do that with a few things. Easier than storing one HUGE container of it.

(sorry I go so long. Best I don't get started on food storage or I'll never shut up!)

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

Annabellethecat66 — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 19:15:08 GMT

Once meat and other things go into my freezer I usually don't eat it and I give them to my friend.

I only freeze them to keep it from going bad. He takes them and puts them in his freezer.

He does a lot of things for me (i.e. carries in groceries, fixes things, etc.). He doesn't need money but he will take the meat, etc from my freezer.

In the Winter I will use the filet mignon for soup, but only if it's been in freezer for a few months.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

Nightowlz — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 19:26:37 GMT

We keep things rotated & try to use in 6-8 mos.

We vacuum seal everything.

We bought a large freezer we have to defrost ourselves so the freezer is not constantly defrosting lowering the temperature in freezer causing food to thaw a bit.

Our food stays frozen solid.

That's how the freezer in our refrigerator works so don't keep much in it. I keep frozen fruits in it I use for smoothies.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

KBEANS — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 19:40:54 GMT

I don't even like hearing a year, let alone eating something that's been frozen for a year. 6 or 8 months on everything, then it's out. I also get skeeved at the idea of cooked food being frozen, thawed and eaten again. I never freeze my meals and serve them later. Don't care who advises it for convenience. The one thing I do freeze and keep is my homemade Sofrito, which is cilantro, peppers, garlic and spices, for my rice dishes. I also make sure I also use it up within the 6-8 month limit I've imposed on myself. I rotate the food in the freezer and use everything. During this pandemic, I've used nearly everything that I had in the freezer.

Re: How long do you keep things in a freezer?

Nightowlz — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 19:50:34 GMT

@KBEANS wrote:
I don't even like hearing a year, let alone eating something that's been frozen for a year. 6 or 8 months on everything, then it's out. I also get skeeved at the idea of cooked food being frozen, thawed and eaten again. I never freeze my meals and serve them later. Don't care who advises it for convenience. The one thing I do freeze and keep is my homemade Sofrito, which is cilantro, peppers, garlic and spices, for my rice dishes. I also make sure I also use it up within the 6-8 month limit I've imposed on myself. I rotate the food in the freezer and use everything. During this pandemic, I've used nearly everything that I had in the freezer.

@KBEANS

I'm saying 6-8 mos because we are in a Pandemic right now & had to stock the freezer. I'm sure it will take time to eat it all. At least we will have something to eat if need be.

We live in a smaller area that does not have lots of grocery stores.

We don't normally have it stocked full like we do right now.

I don't freeze meals either but DH does make Chili, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Ham Bean soup he freezes to take to work to eat for lunch.

I don't want cooked food from the freezer either. It just does not taste the same.

We also have onions, jalapeno peppers, bell peppers, celery etc cut up in the freezer ready to use as needed.