In order to prevent bacteria from growing on your food, freezing is a convenient food preservation method. When frozen at the correct temperature, food can be safe to eat for months and even years. However, freezing food for extended periods of time can result in freezer burn, which will impact its taste and quality. This is especially true when the food is not stored properly in airtight containers or bags.
Keep reading to learn about the optimal temperature setting for your freezer and the best way to freeze food.
What Freezer Temperature Should Be
In order to keep frozen food safe for consumption, the freezer temperature in Celcius should be -18°C or 0°F in Fahrenheit. Any temperature level below that is not recommended for safely storing food in the freezer long-term.
Every time you add warm or room-temperature food items to your freezer, the freezer’s overall temperature will drop. This temperature fluctuation can result in freezer burn. To prevent freezer burn, it’s recommended to decrease the temperature in your freezer for a couple of hours. Modern freezers will have a flash freeze option that lowers the temperature of the freezer for 24 hours.
The best way to monitor temperature fluctuations in your freezer is to rely on a freestanding freezer thermometer, such as the Anvin Freezer Thermometer at Amazon. .
What is The Best Way to Freeze Food?
The best way to freeze food will depend on the type of food and how long you plan on freezing it. But there are a few steps that should be taken, regardless.
Here are 3 steps to properly store your food in the freezer:
Step 1: Cool the food completely before freezing
If you’re freezing prepared meals that are hot, it’s important to allow the food to cool before freezing. To do this correctly, allow the food to cool to room temperature and then store the food in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before freezing. Do not let the food sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Step 2: Store the food in airtight bags or containers
For this step, you can use freezer bags or food storage bags, depending how long you plan on freezing the food. Food that will be stored for more than a week should be stored in freezer bags that are much thicker than standard food storage bags.
To speed up the freezing and eventual thawing of the food, flatten the freezer bag out. A flat food package will freeze and thaw much faster than a round shape.
Step 3: Label the food items
While this step is not necessary, you’ll be glad you did it. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending a full workday thawing out the wrong meal. We recommend labelling your frozen food packages with the name of the food and the date they were frozen. Removable freezer labels are the best way to do this as they are water and oil resistant.
What Causes Freezer Burn?
Freezer burn on food is a common household issue. There are many factors that can cause freezer burn. Here are some common freezer burn causes:
- Frozen food is not sealed correctly: If frozen food is not tightly wrapped or sealed, the food inside will dry out over time.
- Freezer temperature fluctuations: All it takes is one period of thawing to put your food at risk for premature freezer burn. As the food begins to thaw, moisture is released. As the food refreezes, the moisture on the surface of the food freezes, giving the appearance of freezer burn.
- Too much time spent in the freezer: Even if your food is properly stored in airtight packaging, there is a risk of freezer burn developing over time. This is especially true for foods with high moisture content, such as vegetables.
Is Freezer Burned Food Safe to Eat?
Freezer burned food tends to look shrivelled up and unappetizing. Despite how aesthetically off freezer burned food might appear, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unsafe to eat.
Whether freezer burned food is safe to eat or not largely depends on the type of food and the cause of the freezer burn. If the freezer burn was caused by the food being stored at a suboptimal temperature, there is a risk of bacterial growth. However, if the freezer burn was caused by non-sealed packaging or an extended amount of time in the freezer, the food should still be safe for consumption.
The real question is: do you actually want to eat freezer burned food? While freezer burn might not impact food safety, it will certainly have an impact on its quality. Freezer burned food will lose its texture and acquire an unpleasant taste. The food will dry out and might lose its flavor. If your freezer has a particular odor, it’s possible that your freezer-burnt food will acquire a similar taste.
