Cleaned out my Freezer Today - Page 3

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

Agree about vacuum sealing. There is no other way that works anywhere near as well. I have items that are a few years old and still in absolute pristine condition.

I would not want to be w/o a vacuum sealer! Been using them for over 20 years.

The thing is, vacuum sealing is the ONLY way to remove all the air from the packaging. Short of that, air will move in and out the packaging, causing freezer burn and breakdown of flavor.

proudlyfromNJ · ‎05-01-2010

I see a vacuum sealer in my future. Don't know what took me so long to decide.

scruffsmom · ‎03-09-2010

I dont have a stand alone freezer, but I use my foodsaver often. Since my husband died I freeze meats in single sserving sizes if I happen to find a good buy. I also made small bags of berries this summer for smoothies or to eat with yohurt. I had to buy a new refrigerator and it has a fairly small freezzer, but it works for me.

I was shocked by how much i had to throw out when my old fridgr died.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

I just went to our deep freeze to pull out some chicken wings and discovered a bag with about five breast portions buried. A few were covered in ice and others had the telltale white freezer burn. I hate wasting food but I pitched them.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

I wrap all meat in freezer paper with content and date written on it, and use within 6-8 months. It is very rare for me to find an old package of meat in my upright freezer.

Foods I need to use quickly are wrapped in aluminum foil and stuck in a freezer bag.

I am very careful to avoid wasting food.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Biftu I will say I do not know of a better investment or easier to use appliance that you can have. These will save you a lot of money if you use it--and it is really easy to do.

My dad raised cattle and growing up I have thawed and cooked hundreds of pounds of professionally wrapped beef in top quality freezer paper and nothing keeps things frozen like these vacc sealers. We buy now ground beef six to 10 lbs at a time and freeze it in convenient sizes and in patties.

Steaks, roasts, chicken, shrimp, berries, green beans, leftover casseroles in 2-person sizes, fresh veggies, corn on the cob--you name it we freeze it! We have boxes and wire baskets in the freezer so we don't have to dig for things, and we date everything. Oh and we have a meat smoker, so we we have barbecue frozen too!

We only freeze in the bags you make, and have never used a jar or other container.

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@Biftu wrote:
Ok, i started searching for vacuum sealer and became a bit overwhelmed, so many to choose from. i don't need anything fancy since I don't buy in bulk or freeze all that much. For those who have a vacuum sealer could you recommend what features you find helpful? Also, do all replacement bags work on all models? I don't want to buy a model that I have trouble finding bags for.

@Biftu : I am researching this . WalMart has a Seal a Meal sealer for $49.97 . I have this in my cart and checking Bed Bath and Beyond for the replacement bags. Next- need someone to help me organize my full size upright freezer.

Purchased a two roll pack of the 8 inch size- with 20% coupon and free shipping coupon for $17.59.

The WalMart purchase was to be shipped with three day delivery. Really shocked when the purchase was delivered at 6:30 p.m. on the same day.

Othereeeen · ‎03-13-2010

@Sooner

I too am trying to use up ALL the meat and poultry in my freezer before I buy any more. Some of it is from panic buying during Covid. I also have a small selection of canned foods that I call my panic shelf out in the garage.

What amazes me, is how hard it is to eat up that food!! It doesn't LOOK like a lot, but being single, it's taking FOREVER to consume it!!!

It's been a little difficult, cause I have more poultry in the freezer than anything else...amd it gets repetitive...I have a whole turkey I bought on sale last Xmas, and at least TWO over stuffer roasters. I don't really like white meat unless it's in chicken or turkey salad. So I want to use them up before summer ends......

I will say that I would not "toss out" freezer burnt meat...no...I feed a crew of feral cats and if I find something that's freezer burnt or worse, some kind of mystery meat, I thaw it out, cut it into smaller peices, simply boil it in a pot til it's cooked thru, and feed it to my ferals...

They eat EVERYTHING!!!! And they never complain!!!..And they don't care if it's tender or tough!!!!

I know all folks can't do this, but if you do feed outdoor animals, this is a way to use up that stuff, and not feel too guilty.

I live in the country, and only put food out when the cats are here so I don't have stuff around attracting skunks and racoons, animals I like but don't want around the house...

Hope this idea can work for others!

Biftu · ‎02-05-2011

@SouthernBee wrote:
@Biftu wrote:
Ok, i started searching for vacuum sealer and became a bit overwhelmed, so many to choose from. i don't need anything fancy since I don't buy in bulk or freeze all that much. For those who have a vacuum sealer could you recommend what features you find helpful? Also, do all replacement bags work on all models? I don't want to buy a model that I have trouble finding bags for.
@Biftu : I am researching this . WalMart has a Seal a Meal sealer for $49.97 . I have this in my cart and checking Bed Bath and Beyond for the replacement bags. Next- need someone to help me organize my full size upright freezer.
Purchased a two roll pack of the 8 inch size- with 20% coupon and free shipping coupon for $17.59.
The WalMart purchase was to be shipped with three day delivery. Really shocked when the purchase was delivered at 6:30 p.m. on the same day.

@SouthernBee Thanks for sharing your research. I will look into that as I've decided to get one after seeing all that freezer burn. Hope you enjoy your purchase and find it useful and easy to use. So many gadgets that just sit there so I hope I too find it useful when I get one.

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@Biftu : I had one years ago when they were first available and really enjoyed using it and it helps to organize and save space in the freezer. But after about three years really had trouble finding the replacement rolls. I have a label machine and it is so much easier to label everything. So hope this will make a difference. I was really upset and mad with myself about the mess and freezer burn meats and fruit. Like so many others trying to find ways to save money and get better organized. Plus trying to purchase only necessities. I really appreciate all the qvc forums and receiving so much help and suggestions from some very thoughtful and kind people. I hope you will enjoy your items.🤗♥️