Posted on December 22 2015
We have all heard of it before- freezer burn. Many of us have experienced a loss of our frozen goods due to it. Freezer burn can discolor our food. Freezer items will be covered in frost, and dried out in certain areas. But what exactly is freezer burn, and how can we prevent it?
When we freeze food for preservation, thousands of water molecules within these foods form ice crystals. The water molecules then migrate to the coldest place within the freezer, which is typically the sides. The loss of water molecules within the food causes it to become dehydrated, resulting in freezer burn. As water molecules escape from frozen foods, oxygen has the ability to seep in to them. This results in foods appearing dull in color, and the modification of the flavors of foods. Yuck, freezer burned ice cream!
Freezer burn usually occurs when food is not tightly wrapped, enabling water molecules to escape. Freezer burn also tends to be present if the temperature in your freezer is above 0 degrees F. It can also be the result of foods being stored in the freezer too long.
Freezer burned food is safe to eat, but it will probably not taste the way that you would desire it to. Luckily, FoodVacBags.com has a few tricks to help you to combat freezer burn, and keep your foods fresh longer:
Vacuum seal all of your frozen foods
Vacuum sealing food removes oxygen, sealing the bag tightly around whatever you are vacuum sealing. Moisture is trapped inside the bag, keeping your food hydrated for months, and even years in some cases. Vacuum sealers are now common kitchen appliances, and there are a wide range to choose from.
Buy in bulk and portion
If buying large quantities of meats, veggies, fruits, and cheeses- portioning them in small sizes will allow you to only thaw out the amount that you need for each meal. You can create entire meals in one vacuum sealer bag, label it with the ingredients and the date, and when you are ready, you have a meal half complete.
Calendar your frozen food shelf life
Certain items can be stored longer than others. Want to know how long a certain food may remain vacuum sealed and frozen? Refer to our Vacuum Sealing Food Storage List pdf.
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