Kitchen

[qvc chick]

Hello - I want to do big batch of tomato sauce and meatballs for the Freezer.    I know I should use Tritan or Glass, as it may stain regular LL.

What do you guys use??  I am looking  for maybe 10-12 cup size, or larger, but I can not locate anything that big!!  In Tritan or Glass Only.

Help!

[faeriemoon]

They have a lot of those locking type containers at Marshalls, TJM, and Homegoods if you can't find them in the Lock and Lock inventory.  I have L&L loaf pans (glass) that I use for freezing things like sauce.

I only buy glass storage containers.

[lynnie61]

I don't have any Triton, but I bought a set of red bodied bowls.  I mainly use one or two LnL containers for sauce or meatballs.  So I don't mind if one or two stain, I just don't want every piece stained.  I have also used the red bowls for pickled eggs with beets.  They usually always have red sets available.  

@qvc chick   see K93292

[PinkyPetunia]

@lynnie61   @qvc chick  You are so clever.  That's a great idea.  I was thinking I would break up the sauce/meatballs into smaller containers as it's easier to fit in a freezer and defrosts faster.  Your suggestion works perfectly.

[We rescue cats]

I freeze in plastic vacuum sealer bags, I put them on cookie sheets to freeze them so that they stack and store easily. They are available in rolls so that you can make them the size you need, they also defrost more quickly for me but it sounds like you freeze very large quantities.

[MaverDaver]

I have used regular L&L for sauces and never had any staining.

[Carmie]

I freeze sauce and many other food items.  I have two large deep freezers.

I gave up using L&L and other containers inthe freezer. They take up too much room.

I freeze almost everything in freezer bags.  I use gallon or quart size.  When I put my food in, I freeze the bags laying flat.  After they are frozen, I store them on their edges like in a book case.  

In the freezers, I have plastic storage bins from the dollar store.  They keep the packages organized.

I have been using this method for years.  Occasionally, I will use a plastic container, but the freezer bags are much better, IMO.

A great perk is that the food will thaw out faster if I forget to take it out ahead of needing it because it is not in one huge thick block.

[Mom2Dogs]

@We rescue cats  How do you use the vacuum freezer bags for sauce type items?  

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Why not use quart mason jars?  They would be easier to handle.  Leave some headspace in the jar. 10-12 cups of sauce in one vessel would be have and a less convenient use of space, IMO.

[We rescue cats]

@Mom2Dogs I have a countertop vacuum sealer as well as a handheld that needs special bags with a suction button on each bag. I usually use the latter for soup and liquids-I carry it with us in the motorhome since I have limited counter space. There is really very little difference when packaging and freezing, I try to remove as much air as possible before sealing. Then, if able, I will elevate the seal end of the bag (just barely-even a half inch will help-then seal it and vacuum it. As soon as the liquid is being pulled to the sealer I stop. Works for me and it opens up so much room in the freezer PLUS thawing is so much faster.