Frozen food?

Question

I have a fridge/freezer-y'know, top half fridge, bottom half three big freezer containers. How long can I store frozen food in this kind of set-up? When I freeze something from a shop it says freeze for up to a month and then eat. When I freeze something Ive made myself I dont know how long its frozen shelf life should be. But please tell me its a lot longer that 1 month! Otherwise, whats the point of having a freezer? I always thought u could freeze stuff for up to a year at least.

Answer 1

Bacon and Sausage 1 to 2 Months
Casseroles 2 to 3 Months
Egg whites or egg substitutes 12 Months
Frozen Dinners and Entrees 3 to 4 Months
Gravy, meat or poultry 2 to 3 Months
Ham, Hotdogs and Lunchmeats 1 to 2Months
Meat, uncooked roasts 4 to 12 Months
Meat, uncooked steaks or chops 4 to 12 Months
Meat, uncooked ground 3 to 4 Months
Meat, cooked 2 to 3 Months
Poultry, uncooked whole 12 Months
Poultry, uncooked parts 9 Months
Poultry, uncooked giblets 3 to 4 Months
Poultry, cooked 4 Months
Soups and Stews 2 to 3 Months
Wild game, uncooked 8 to 12 Months

Answer 2

Why would u want to keep something in the freezer for a year? As previous answers, it depends on a) the type of food b) how well packaged/sealed it is and c) the temperature of the freezer. For maximum freezer life, the unit should be reaching at least -18oC (which most fridge/freezers as you've described don't). Freezing does not stop the formation of bacteria, instead it slows it down, so you're best off eating as soon as possible and making sure you follow the correct cooking guidelines, ie cook from frozen or thaw thoroughly first. Enjoy!

Answer 3

It depends on what kind of food and how it's packaged. Meats can usually go for a year and vegetables that have been blanched about 3 months. The packaging is the most important for freezer and shelf life. The less oxygen in the packaging the longer you can store. Notice how canned goods seem to last VERY long? That's because there's almost no oxygen in the can! I have found that for meats, if you wrap them tightly in foil, then place in a plastic bag, suck out the oxygen, and seal it very tightly (tape, etc.) so that nothing goes in or out, it can last longer than a year.

Answer 4

I think it is longer if you have a large freezer, when food says to freeze for 1month it is for the benefit of those who only have the small fridge with the small freezer compartment at the top.the turkey i had last xmas had a best before date of August 07.If you look at the best before date (if the food has one) then i would go by that.I just looked at the best before date on the Chicken and veg pies i have in my freezer and thats Dec07...

Answer 5

It surely depends on what you freeze.
You can keep vegetables longer "fresh" (mostly) than i.e. meat.
Maybe my freezing tables will help:

http://www.jannekes.eu/tips/index.html

It shows you how to prepare the food you want to freeze, if it's suitable for freezing and how long it can be kept.

Greetz from the Netherlands.

Answer 6

it depends on what food is in the freezer like chicken wont last as long as ice cream

Answer 7

I agree with all of the answers. Just be sure you label your packages with the contents and write the date on the package.

Answer 8

Please avoid eating frozend food and instead try to get fresh food daily. It's much more healthy.

Answer 9

Use your loaf xx

Answer 10

FOR EVER AND EVER, but it wont look or taste to good.