Labeling food you want to freeze

mollybird · 16-01-2014 12:18pm #1

This is something both me and my husband have had a prob with for a few years. We freeze left over dinners or gravy's etc and weeks later we have no idea what they are. when we try to use up some of the containers it is like a lucky dip and we have no idea what we are getting till it is defrosted and for me alot of the time it just hasn't been what i thought it was.

Has anyone got any good tips on how we can mark what is in the container in a way that can be taken off and something written for the next time when it's something different?

Many Thanks

siochain · 16-01-2014 12:21pm

Maybe I'm missing something,

Sticky labels, write the meal and date, cross off when used and write the new meal on the next line. Label is full wash it off or put a new label over it.

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 12:41pm

http://www.amazon.com/Labeleze-2480-Freezer-Labels-Border/dp/B000MF8VPO
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/2844/Freezer-Fine-Tip-Permanent-Markers
http://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Freezer-Gallon-Value-30-Count/dp/B003UEGZNE

seosamh1980 · 16-01-2014 12:48pm

Put in plastic freezer bag, write on the label space provided specifically for this, put in freezer. I find it hard to believe two adults struggled with this for years tbh.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 12:48pm

Reminds me of this:

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 1:23pm

I use this system:
Each month I freeze chicken breasts, beef mince, and steaks.
I select fresh fruit and veg and blanch and freeze them.

I lay all the packets in a set order, chicken, mince, steak, carrot, pea, bean, chicken, mince, steak, onion, cabbage, banana, berry, chicken.

I use a mnemonic to remember the order. chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china. Its tricky, but one you memorise it it works 100% of the time. You can make your own mnemonic if you want I spose that would work.

On the 1st of the month I lay all the packets in line with the shelves, then I turn them by 45 degrees each week. That way I can simply say the mnemonic and I know what is in each packet and what date it went into the freezer. If I need to freeze anything that is already pre packaged I simply take out all the frozen food and add the pre packed item to the mnemonic. SO if I bought some ice cream I would simply add it like this:
chicken, mince, steak, carrot, pea, bean, chicken, ICE CREAM, mince, steak, onion, cabbage, banana, berry, chicken.

I always know exactly what it is when I defrost it. Simples.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 1:24pm

I made it simpler by buying 7 mini freezers and labelling the freezers themselves. So I have a steak freezer, a chicken freezer and so on.

More hygienic too.

RacoonQueen · 16-01-2014 1:27pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

I use this system:
Each month I freeze chicken breasts, beef mince, and steaks.
I select fresh fruit and veg and blanch and freeze them.

I lay all the packets in a set order, chicken, mince, steak, carrot, pea, bean, chicken, mince, steak, onion, cabbage, banana, berry, chicken.

I use a mnemonic to remember the order. chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china. Its tricky, but one you memorise it it works 100% of the time. You can make your own mnemonic if you want I spose that would work.

On the 1st of the month I lay all the packets in line with the shelves, then I turn them by 45 degrees each week. That way I can simply say the mnemonic and I know what is in each packet and what date it went into the freezer. If I need to freeze anything that is already pre packaged I simply take out all the frozen food and add the pre packed item to the mnemonic. SO if I bought some ice cream I would simply add it like this:
chicken, mince, steak, carrot, pea, bean, chicken, ICE CREAM, mince, steak, onion, cabbage, banana, berry, chicken.

I always know exactly what it is when I defrost it. Simples.

Sounds a lot mroe complicated than a label

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 1:27pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

I made it simpler by buying 7 mini freezers and labelling the freezers themselves. So I have a steak freezer, a chicken freezer and so on.

More hygienic too.

Save on airconditioning bills in the summer too by leaving the doors open

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 1:28pm

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Sounds a lot mroe complicated than a label

Only at first, once you have the system down its pretty fool proof.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 1:34pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

I lay all the packets in a set order, chicken, mince, steak, carrot, pea, bean, chicken, mince, steak, onion, cabbage, banana, berry, chicken.

I use a mnemonic to remember the order. chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china. Its tricky, but one you memorise it it works 100% of the time. You can make your own mnemonic if you want I spose that would work.

I'd have gone with:

Chicken minces steak, carrots peel (pea-l) beans, chicken minces more steak and adds onions, cabbage, banana, some berries. Chicken eats food.

Way easier to remember because it's like a little story.

You can have that for free.

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 1:36pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

I'd have gone with:

Chickens mince steak, carrots peel (pea-l) beans, chickens mince steak and add onions, cabbage, banana, some berries. Chickean eats food.

Way easier to remember because it's like a little story.

You can have that for free.

I dont see how that is easier to remember. Just looks complicated to me. Besides mines a story. about a badger. Yours seems to be some kind of weird trifle recipe. Im sticking with the original, basic and straightforward.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 1:40pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

I dont see how that is easier to remember. Just looks complicated to me. Besides mines a story. about a badger. Yours seems to be some kind of weird trifle recipe. Im sticking with the original, basic and straightforward.

Badgers don't freeze food though.

Your (ridiculous) story will confuse the OP.

Mine's simple. It's about a cooking chicken. It sounds like 'cooked chicken', which makes it even easier to reemember?

"How do I know which food is which?

Oh yeah...the cooking chicken story!

He'd cook in this order: chicken, mince, steak, carrot, pea, bean, chicken, mince, steak, onion, cabbage, banana, berry, chicken.

DISCO!"

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 1:48pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Badgers don't freeze food though.

Your (ridiculous) story will confuse the OP.

Mine's simple. It's about a cooking chicken. It sounds like 'cooked chicken', which makes it even easier to reemember?

"How do I know which food is which?

Oh yeah...the cooking chicken story!

He'd cook in this order: chicken, mince, steak, carrot, pea, bean, chicken, mince, steak, onion, cabbage, banana, berry, chicken.

DISCO!"

and as usual you have left no room for ice cream.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 1:53pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

and as usual you have left no room for ice cream.

Fortunately, chickens are healthy eaters and leave room for ice cream. In which case the story becomes:

Chickens mince steak, carrots peel (pea-l) beans, chickens mince steak and add onions, cabbage, banana, some berries. Chickean eats food. Ice cream for dessert.

Not only does it mean I rememmbber the order oof the frozen food, I ghet nominated for an IMPAC Award.

WHAMMY!

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 1:59pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Fortunately, chickens are healthy eaters and leave room for ice cream. In which case the story becomes:

Chickens mince steak, carrots peel (pea-l) beans, chickens mince steak and add onions, cabbage, banana, some berries. Chickean eats food. Ice cream for dessert.

Not only does it mean I rememmbber the order oof the frozen food, I ghet nominated for an IMPAC Award.

WHAMMY!

Ice cream for dessert? that means that the ice cream is at the end of your freezer rotation. That just doesnt make any sense.
If I thought that system would work then I would just freeze stuff in the order I use it for cooking.

Ice cream needs to after the second chicken in the rotation, or the whole thing become pointless. might as well throw it in willy nilly, what are we Dutch!?

You could have
chicken, mince, steak, carrot, pea, bean,, ICE CREAM, chicken, mince, steak, onion, cabbage, banana, berry, chicken.

But thats a bit more of a risk than I normally like to take, what are we Italians?!

No, the only real way to do it is
chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china.

That safely leave space for ice cream with no downsides.

Plus your mnemonic is really limited. Where would you even put the pizza?! lol amateur, go back to your 7 fridge castle.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 2:02pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

Ice cream for dessert? that means that the ice cream is at the end of your freezer rotation. That just doesnt make any sense.
If I thought that system would work then I would just freeze stuff in the order I use it for cooking.

Ice cream needs to after the second chicken in the rotation, or the whole thing become pointless. might as well throw it in willy nilly, what are we Dutch!?

You could have
chicken, mince, steak, carrot, pea, bean,, ICE CREAM, chicken, mince, steak, onion, cabbage, banana, berry, chicken.

But thats a bit more of a risk than I normally like to take, what are we Italians?!

No, the only real way to do it is
chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china.

That safely leave space for ice cream with no downsides.

Plus your mnemonic is really limited. Where would you even put the pizza?! lol amateur, go back to your 7 fridge castle.

The ice cream is at the side in the ice cream section. That's why it's last in the order.

Badgers don't even eat pizza. They don't have opposable thumbs to pick up the slices!

And you call me an amateur?!

Do you even wildlife, brah?!

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 2:04pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

The ice cream is at the side in the ice cream section. That's why it's last in the order.

Badgers don't even eat pizza. They don't have opposable thumbs to pick up the slices!

And you call me an amateur?!

Do you even wildlife, brah?!

They new york fold obviously

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 2:08pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

They new york fold obviously

Oh, so does folding it get around the fact that they are gluten intolerant as well.

And seriously, your sister is captivated by badgers? What's that about?

Worst. Story. Ever.

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 2:10pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Oh, so does folding it get around the fact that they are gluten intolerant as well.

And seriously, your sister is captivated by badgers? What's that about?

Worst. Story. Ever.

a brigade of Chinese badgers, do you even mnemonic brah?

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 2:15pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

a brigade of Chinese badgers, do you even mnemonic brah?

The mnemonic doesn't say anything about Chinese badgers.

It does refer to tableware that badgers apparently use.

Marvellous story. Your sister is captivated by badger tableware?

The excitement will be ramped up to 11 if she ever lays her eyes on a set of badger cutlery as well... :rolleyes:

Oryx · 16-01-2014 2:17pm

I used to worry I could be a bit ocd. thegreatiam has proved I have nothing to worry about!

Op a roll of white stickers would work. Date, food type. No mnemonics required. Put a new sticker on each time, voila.

Sam Kade · 16-01-2014 2:17pm

Do anyone put an inventory list on their freezer?

Oryx · 16-01-2014 2:18pm

Sam Kade wrote: »

Do anyone put an inventory list on their freezer?

My freezer is a lucky dip. It usually surprises me with things I never knew I bought in the first place.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 2:20pm

Sam Kade wrote: »

Do anyone put an inventory list on their freezer?

Yeah. thegreatiam does.

He puts a list of badgers on the outside or some such guff.

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 2:28pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

The mnemonic doesn't say anything about Chinese badgers.

It does refer to tableware that badgers apparently use.

Marvellous story. Your sister is captivated by badger tableware?

The excitement will be ramped up to 11 if she ever lays her eyes on a set of badger cutlery as well... :rolleyes:

what tablewear? captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china.

Ah I see. I understand your confusion now.

It should read China. Maybe that's why you're not getting the mnemonic,

You're right "captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china" would be ridiculous.

El_Dangeroso · 16-01-2014 2:37pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

I use a mnemonic to remember the order. chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china. Its tricky, but one you memorise it it works 100% of the time. You can make your own mnemonic if you want I spose that would work.

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to look like you are doing work when guffaws of laughter are eminating from you office? Do you??

I have a much simpler system, cook food, freeze it, forget when you froze it and what it is, come back in 6 months and throw it out. Easy.

Cocolola · 16-01-2014 2:38pm

This is the strangest N&D thread ever. Janey mac that 45 degree, mnemonics idea is complicated! Seriously, just use stick on labels. I thought I was a bit OCD, but clearly I haven't been making enough of an effort

Also think the multiple freezer idea is mad, if you have your food packaged properly, how is it unhygienic to use one freezer?

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 2:41pm

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to look like you are doing work when guffaws of laughter are eminating from you office? Do you??

I have a much simpler system, cook food, freeze it, forget when you froze it and what it is, come back in 6 months and throw it out. Easy.

I like this system, i may try it one day

whiteandlight · 16-01-2014 2:46pm

I don't normally comment but this is one of the oddest threads I've read in here.....

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 2:56pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

what tablewear? captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china.

Ah I see. I understand your confusion now.

It should read China. Maybe that's why you're not getting the mnemonic,

You're right "captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china" would be ridiculous.

Oh right, yeah. That makes sense now.

Chinese badgers that eat pizza AND ice cream?

So now they can, despite not being the owners of opposable thumbs, they can fold a pizza and hold a spoon for eating ice cream?

Marvellous.

Can they juggle as well?

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 2:58pm

Cocolola wrote: »

Also think the multiple freezer idea is mad, if you have your food packaged properly, how is it unhygienic to use one freezer?

I don't package the meat. That way I have a convenient excuse for thawing and eating 8 striploin steaks and 18 beef medallions that have frozen together.

Plus, if yoou're to believe thegreatiam, there are badgers lurking around the freezers and they're not particularly hygienic.

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 3:03pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Oh right, yeah. That makes sense now.

Chinese badgers that eat pizza AND ice cream?

So now they can, despite not being the owners of opposable thumbs, they can fold a pizza and hold a spoon for eating ice cream?

Marvellous.

Can they juggle as well?

Just cos they are in the mnemonic doesn't mean they have to take part in the freezing process. The badgers don't have to eat the pizza.

Besides, I have reported your intolerance to Brian May, he will be seeking a public apology for your slander.

Your argument is invalid.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 3:08pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

Just cos they are in the mnemonic doesn't mean they have to take part in the freezing process. The badgers don't have to eat the pizza.

Besides, I have reported your intolerance to Brian May, he will be seeking a public apology for your slander.

Your argument is invalid.

It still doesn't clarify how the (worst) story (ever) can still work with the badgers if you introduce pizza, what with their gluten intolerance. IIt just wouldn't make sense.

You'd recite it and then think you were wrong because there's no way there'd be badgers and pizza in the same story.

I mean, the thought of the mess they'd make when they had a reaction to the pizza would put you off your food.

Anyway, Brian May is gone to China to save their badgers. He won't be back for some time.

seosamh1980 · 16-01-2014 3:09pm

I want thegreatiam and Alf to be my friends.

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 3:11pm

seosamh1980 wrote: »

I want thegreatiam and Alf to be my friends.

What is your stand point on the frozen badger debate?

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 3:15pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

What is your stand point on the frozen badger debate?

Something something black and white.

seosamh1980 · 16-01-2014 3:16pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

What is your stand point on the frozen badger debate?

I....like badgers? Will that do? Can I win you over with compliments? You're looking great today btw.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 3:17pm

seosamh1980 wrote: »

I....like badgers? Will that do? Can I win you over with compliments? You're looking great today btw.

(Plamás him with something about Chinese badgers. He'll buy it if his sister is captivated by them.)

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 3:18pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

It still doesn't clarify how the (worst) story (ever) can still work with the badgers if you introduce pizza, what with their gluten intolerance. IIt just wouldn't make sense.

You'd recite it and then think you were wrong because there's no way there'd be badgers and pizza in the same story.

I mean, the thought of the mess they'd make when they had a reaction to the pizza would put you off your food.

Anyway, Brian May is gone to China to save their badgers. He won't be back for some time.

When you put Pizza in the freezer the mnemoic becomes:
chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, captivate my sister pile on clever brigade badger China

The badgers never interact with the pizza.

Same if you add icecream
chicken may stay, carrots I peeled barely, captivate my sister pile on clever brigade badger china

Or if you get married and have to freeze some Wedding Cake:
chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, Willingly Can captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china.

You dont add in the name of the item to the mnemonic, you think of a word with the same letter.

I think your confusion comes from the first mention of chicken. It is coincidentally representing chicken. But it could easily represent cod or Caligula if you had to freeze either of those things.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 3:19pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

When you put Pizza in the freezer the mnemoic becomes:
chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, captivate my sister pile on clever brigade badger China

The badgers never interact with the pizza.

Same if you add icecream
chicken may stay, carrots I peeled barely, captivate my sister pile on clever brigade badger china

Or if you get married and have to freeze some Wedding Cake:
chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, Willingly Can captivate my sister on clever brigade badger china.

You dont add in the name of the item to the mnemonic, you think of a word with the same letter.

I think your confusion comes from the first mention of chicken. It is coincidentally representing chicken. But it could easily represent cod or Caligula if you had to freeze either of those things.

Did your sister marry someone called Will who has a pet badger?

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 3:20pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Did your sister marry someone called Will who has a pet badger?

The capital is to show how the word is replaced. Will is a prick

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 3:23pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

The capital is to show how the word is replaced. Will is a prick

Not the Will, is it?

Oh, and

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 3:24pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Not the Will, is it?

Oh, and

Your badger song attack has no effect on me as it is always in my head.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 3:27pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

Your badger song attack has no effect on me as it is always in my head.

That was the point.

But still though. Your sisters piles and badgers eating pizza (and the subsequent mess)....how is someone meant to eat anything after that story.

Mine at least has some relevance to cooking because at least chickens are renowned for cooking and being able to east gluten and grains. More scope right there.

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 3:32pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

That was the point.

But still though. Your sisters piles and badgers eating pizza (and the subsequent mess)....how is someone meant to eat anything after that story.

Mine at least has some relevance to cooking because at least chickens are renowned for cooking and being able to east gluten and grains. More scope right there.

What if you have stuff in the freezer that doens't need cooking? Like camera film? You cant add that into your mnemonic, I can:

chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, captivate my sister could fly on clever brigade badger china

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 3:35pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

What if you have stuff in the freezer that doens't need cooking? Like camera film? You cant add that into your mnemonic, I can:

chicken may stay, carrots peeled barely, captivate my sister could fly on clever brigade badger china

That only makes sense if you'lll need the camera film in that order.

Chickens mince steak, carrots peel (pea-l) beans, chickens mince steak and add onions, cabbage, banana, some berries. Chicken takes a photo of the food before putting the film in the freezer. Chicken eats the food. Ice cream for dessert.

Makes sense and it won't disrupt the flow of the story if the chicken takes the photo earlier in the process.

But, you know, good luck with your flying Chinese badger story.

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 3:38pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

That only makes sense if you'lll need the camera film in that order.

Why would you not put the film in that order? Tbh in this economy you'd be mad not to.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 3:39pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

Why would you not put the film in that order? Tbh in this economy you'd be mad not to.

Some people were untouched by the recession. There's still craziness out there!

thegreatiam · 16-01-2014 3:52pm

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Some people were untouched by the recession. There's still craziness out there!

recession, im talking about the regrowth!
You think I would put the camera film next to the steak if I was broke? haha, i'm not a philistine. That would be desperately bad form.

Alf Veedersane · 16-01-2014 3:54pm

thegreatiam wrote: »

recession, im talking about the regrowth!
You think I would put the camera film next to the steak if I was broke? haha, i'm not a philistine. That would be desperately bad form.

Some of the things you've committed to text today, it wouldn't surprise me at all.

Labeling food you want to freeze

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