STORING FROZEN FOOD
The freezer section IS destgned for storage of com-
mercrally frozer foods and for freezing foods at
home
Packaging - 7 he secret of successful freezing IS
In the packagrng The wrap you use must be air.
morsture and vapor proof. The way you close and
seal the package must not allow arr, moisture or
vapors In or out
Rrgrd polyethylene (plastrc) containers with tight-
flttrng lids, straight-sided conning freezrng jars.
heavy-duty aluminum foil, plasticcoated paper and
non-permeable plastrc wraps (such as Saran) are
recommended Note, Heat-sealed boiling bags are
easy to use and can be used by themselves or as
carton liners.
IMPORTANT: Do not expect your freezer to qulck-
freeze any large quantlty of food. leave enough
space for air to circulate around packages. Be
careful to leave enough room at the front JO the
door can close tlghtly.
Ice Cream Store In the freezer Once the pack-
age IS opened, place a piece of alumrnum fori or
L
STORAGE CHART FOR FROZEN FOOD
Storage times given in this chart are only a
guide. For best use of freezer space, keep fro-
zen foods for short times. Use, then replace as
needed.
Bread ..........................
2months
Cooked Dishes
............... 2-3 months
Flsh and Seafoods
Fresh .........................
6months
Commercially Frozen
...... l-3 months
Frults ...........................
6 months
Ice Cream ........
:. .............
1 month
Concentrated
Juice
.......... 4-6 months
Meats
Bacon ................
less than 1 month
Pork roasts, chops
.......... 3-4 months
Sausage ...................
. l-2 months
Beef, veal. lamb roasts
.......
6 months
Ground meat
................ l-2 months
Poultry
..................... 3-4 months
Vegetables ....................
6 months
plastic wrap smoothly against the ice cream surface
‘Courtesy of NatIonal Lrvestock and Meat Board and
Thts WIII prevent ice crystals from forming
USDA
I
Packaged Frozen Food
Store on freezer door
shelf or In the freezer. If you plan to store it for a long
time. re-wrap it with alumrnum foil or plastic wrap
Frozen Meats- The followrng hints will help
keep the quality In your frozen meats.
I. Freeze meat while fresh and in top condition
2. Use only recommended wrapprng materrals.
3. Prepare the meat for freezing before wrap-
ping it. Trim off excess fat and remove bones
when practical. Meat should not be salted
because salt shortens freezer life.
4. Wrap tightly. pressing out as much atr as
possible.
5. Label and date It
6. Refreezing thawed meat IS not recommended
Frozen Soups, Juices
Store on freezer door
shelf or In the freezer
Vacation and moving care
Short vacations. . .
No need to shut off the refrrgerator If you WIII be
away for less than four weeks. Use up perishables,
freeze other Items If your refrigerator is equrpped
with an automatic Ice maker, 1) turn It off; 2) shut off
the water supply to the Ice maker, 3) empty the Ice
bin
Long vacations. . .
Remove all the food If you are going for o month
or more. If your refrigerator IS equipped with an
outomatrc Ice maker, turn off the water supply to
10
the ice maker at least a day ahead When the last
load of Ice drops, turn off the tee maker
Unplug the refrigerator and clean it rinse well
and dry. Tape rubber or wood blocks to both doors
.keeping them open far enough for air to get in
This will keep odor and mold from burlding up.
WARNING: Tape blocks out of a child’s
reach...do not allow children near
the refrigerator when the doors are
blocked open. They may become
injured or trapped.
To restart refrrgerator, see “Usrng Your Refrigerator ”
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