Apart from chest freezers, fridges also come with freezers these days; and the tendency is for us to momentarily forget that there are certain foods that we don’t always put in chest freezers but which we might want to store in our fridge freezers.
That shouldn’t be and we need to know what foods shouldn’t be stored in fridge freezers. What are these foods? These ones:
Canned foods
Never freeze canned foods in their original tins. As the contents freeze and expand, they can cause the cans to burst, potentially leading to food contamination and a messy cleanup.
Indeed, experts at the University of Minnesota say freezing and thawing may soften your tinned food, and that if you have canned foods you’d like to freeze, you should transfer them to a freezer-safe container.
Eggs in shells
According to experts at online platform Incredible Egg, while a fresh egg stored at room temperature will start to decline in quality after a few days and need to be used within 1–3 weeks, eggs kept in the refrigerator will maintain quality and freshness for at least twice as long.
This is not the same as freezing eggs in their shells, though; as this can cause the liquid inside to expand and crack the shell, making them difficult to use.
Online platform Healthline counsels that if you want to freeze eggs, it’s better to crack them, whisk them, and store the egg mixture in an airtight container.
Fruits and vegetables with high water content
Experts at the University of Missouri warn that
water expands when fruits that have high water content freezes, while the ice crystals formed cause cell walls of food to rupture.
As a result, the texture of the product will be much softer when it thaws, noting that these textural changes are most noticeable in fruits and vegetables that have a high water content.
“Items like lettuce, cucumbers, and watermelon can become mushy and lose their texture when frozen due to the high water content,” they warn; adding, “While they can still be used in cooking after freezing, they won’t retain their original crispness.”
Dairy products
Dairy products such as milk and yoghurt can separate and develop an undesirable texture when frozen, nutritionists warn.
They are of the view that freezing process could affect milk texture and aspect.
Nutritionists warn, “Milk should not be frozen for more than six weeks; it must be thaw in the refrigerator and well shaken before consumed.
“Even if frozen, milk should be consumed before the best before date. Most importantly, once thawed, milk should be consumed within days.”
They added that freezing can alter the structure of these products, making them less appealing when thawed.
“However, hard cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan can be successfully frozen,” they say.
Foods in glass containers
Be cautious about placing glass containers in the freezer. The expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes can lead to glass containers cracking or shattering.
If you need to freeze food in glass, use freezer-safe glass containers designed for this purpose, leaving some space for expansion.
How to make your freezer last long
In the same vein, experts advise on how we can make our chest freezer to last far longer than we can imagine. How do we achieve that?
Have proper placement
Place your freezer in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources like ovens, stoves, and direct sunlight.
Avoid overstuffing
Ensure there’s enough space around the freezer to allow for proper airflow. Avoid overcrowding the freezer with items.
Maintain temperature
Keep the freezer at the recommended temperature, typically around -18°C or as specified in your appliance’s manual.
Use a thermometer to regularly monitor the temperature and make adjustments as needed.
Limit door opening
Minimise the frequency and duration of opening the freezer door. Each time you open the door, warm air enters, causing the freezer to work harder to maintain the temperature.
Monitor the warranty
Keep track of your freezer’s warranty and understand the coverage it provides. This can help you take advantage of repairs or replacements if needed.
