6 ways to prevent freezer burn

Don’t you just hate it when you take your left overs or meat out of the freezer only to find them discolored, dry and covered in stubborn ice? Blame it on freezer burn. When food gets exposed to air, a stubborn frost coats it and the affected food no longer tastes the same. While eating it may not be harmful so long as it remains within a safe period of time, no one really wants to have tasteless food.

Oh and this affects ice cream too. When you find it too hard to dig a spoon into your ice cream because it is covered with ice crystals, you have been freezer burnt. Basically what happens is water molecules inside of the food freeze to form ice crystals in turn allowing food to remain frozen.

A major cause of freezer burn is due to inconsistent temperatures.

That said, here are six ways to make sure that never happens again.  

Do not store hot food directly in the freezer. Give it some time to cool and if you’re in a hurry put the food in a container and place it in a sink full of ice. Once the food has cooled to room temperature you can safely put it in the freezer.

Choose one depending on what you want to freeze. For example, solid foods should be stored almost to the brim of a plastic container with a tight lid to ensure there is little space for air. Remember, the purpose of a good container should not allow any air to escape. You can also purchase freezer bags which are more effective and space saving.

Wrap your freezer bound foods at least more than once. For example, you can start by wrapping tightly using a plastic wrap then a freezer bag. Make sure you press it to against the counter top by running your fingers through it to remove any air.

The more you open the freezer door the more the temperatures fluctuate leading to freezer burn. If possible, plan your meals out in advance and open the freezer door once to take out all you need.

In many homes, freezers are filled to the brim. Avoid this. Keep it about three quarter full when it’s at its optimum point of maintaining the temperature. If it’s too packed the air will not circulate properly.

Your freezer should be set at about 0 °F or -17°C. This is on the low or cold setting. If your setting is any higher or lower your food will either freeze too fast or not get frozen.

Lastly, do not leave food in your freezer for too long. Eat it while it’s at its freshest point and for sure, you will not have to worry about freezer burns.