Explain how food might get freezer burn. How might you prevent it?

Answer 1

Freezer burn occurs when the surface of the food dries out. If you are freezing a food, squeeze out all the air possible to extend the life of the food. Set the freezer on the lowest temperature available to prevent water molecules from reaching the surface of the food and drying it out. This will also extend the life of the food.

Answer 2

as the water from the air and that of the food freeze, they combine. the portion that comes from the food, leaves the solid tissue to combine with the ambient moisture. this leaves a "void" where the water was on the surface of the food, which is, in combination with the cellular puncturing from the sharp crystals, what we call freezer burn, the dehydration of the food instigated by a low temp. thermodynamic influence, we are more familiar with the one from a high influence, either "air" drying, sun drying, or med. temp dehydration such as a warm oven or a commercial dehydrator.
To prevent it, remove excess surface liquid, store in air free plastic container or wrap.

Answer 3

I have a kitchen device that stores the food in plastic bags and vacuums out the air in the process. Looks like shrink wrap when it is done. No air contact, no freezer burn. Also works on liquids and sauces. Boilable, so you can cook up a pot of spaghetti sauce, freeze bags of one portion each, then just drop the bag in boiling water to serve. They aren't expensive. Target has them.