Containers for freezing meals

[Anonymous]

We are expecting our second in a few weeks and want to cook ahead and freeze some meals.

While I do have tupperware, it is a big assorted size set. So we don't have many small ones. Is there a single serve set that you recommend or should I just buy freezer bags and freeze single portions. I tried those bags a couple of times before and didn't like them because they get lopsided and getting frozen stuff out of it is a pain.

Thank you for any ideas.

[Anonymous]

If you're putting stuff in bags, get as much air out as possible and flatten the bag so it lays flat in the freezer. I make several single-serve portions at once, stack them as flattened bags, and freeze them that way. Once frozen, I stand them up in containers. No lopsided frozen bags and they defrost faster in the flattened form.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're putting stuff in bags, get as much air out as possible and flatten the bag so it lays flat in the freezer. I make several single-serve portions at once, stack them as flattened bags, and freeze them that way. Once frozen, I stand them up in containers. No lopsided frozen bags and they defrost faster in the flattened form.

This and you can lay them on a cookie sheet while they freeze.

[Anonymous]

They sell disposable tupperware-style containers these days in the ziploc section of the grocery store. (Ziploc is one brand of them) If you don't like using bags you can go with those.
They're just as useful as more durable containers, and a lot cheaper. If you break them/lose them/accidentally toss them you haven't lost much. And you can take them to other people's houses and not worry about getting them back.

[Anonymous]

I love the twist top ziplock containers. They stack nicely, perfect for one or 2 portions. Reusable, so no waste. Just don't drop them on the floor while frozen - they may shatter (thank you DH for teaching me that lesson...)

I use them for almost all leftovers, for freezer meals, and for bringing them along places.

[Anonymous]

I get Gladware (or similar) type products. I like that they hold their form and that they are stackable and more reusable than ziploc bags. We also have a favorite local restaurant that uses nicer plastic takeout containers (those black ones with the clear tops, but in a rectangular shape instead of round like Chinese takeout). These are really good for leftovers and for freezing and we've collected a fair amount of these over the last few years and often use those until they wear out.

[Anonymous]

To the PP who re-uses the plastic takeout containers: Do you worry about BPA? I used to do the same thing but then read somewhere that these containers are really just meant for single use only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the PP who re-uses the plastic takeout containers: Do you worry about BPA? I used to do the same thing but then read somewhere that these containers are really just meant for single use only.

I understand the concern about BPA. And we make sure that the other things that we buy are BPA free, but we still reuse these containers for the convenience. I know that some studies feel that the current level of BPA in general use is too high, but we feel that with the current FDA standards, if this is our only exposure to BPA that we'll take that risk and eliminate it in all other items.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're putting stuff in bags, get as much air out as possible and flatten the bag so it lays flat in the freezer. I make several single-serve portions at once, stack them as flattened bags, and freeze them that way. Once frozen, I stand them up in containers. No lopsided frozen bags and they defrost faster in the flattened form.

I've tried this with freezer bags but the stuff gets frost/freezer burn. What am I doing wrong??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're putting stuff in bags, get as much air out as possible and flatten the bag so it lays flat in the freezer. I make several single-serve portions at once, stack them as flattened bags, and freeze them that way. Once frozen, I stand them up in containers. No lopsided frozen bags and they defrost faster in the flattened form.

I've tried this with freezer bags but the stuff gets frost/freezer burn. What am I doing wrong??

Maybe they're sitting in the freezer too long? Most of ours are used within 3 months. If something's going to be in there longer I double bag it or wrap it in plastic wrap, then foil, then put it in a freezer bag.

[Anonymous]

Is BPA a concern if you don't reheat in the containers? I sometimes freeze in the containers but then pop stuff out to reheat.

[Anonymous]

I either do the freezer bag method described by pp or I buy the single use aluminum containers. I cover the aluminum containsers with plastric wrap, then aluminum foil. It depends what I'm making & freezing. Whole tray of lasagna - aluminum dish. Single serving of beef stew - ziploc freezer bag.