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Food containers

Containers can make a difference in the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer.

Containers serve multiple functions in the pantry and freezer. From organizing, to keeping foods stored properly, containers are a useful tool anywhere food is prepared. Professional kitchens already use a variety of food containers, know is the time to find how having adequate recipients can be useful at home. When you walk in from a long day at work, instead of rifling through the pantry to find the exact ingredients you need, containers, which can be labeled and then organized, make it simple to find exactly what you want. In the freezer, the right containers help keep your food from getting freezer burn and becoming a waste of money.

No matter where your containers are, if they are in your pantry, locked inside the freezer, or sitting out on your open counter, choosing the right container is vital for your sanity and food safety. Here are some tips on how to choose the right container for your needs.

Pantry

Storing food in the open can be a risky business without a proper container. Many foods, in a non-refrigerated setting, can go bad well before their expiration date and will not show any signs of such until the day you go to get them out and the smell is rancid. Having the right container makes it possible to keep foods longer and to keep your products organized.

Freezer

Freezer burn is one of the worst things that can happen to foods stored in the freezer. Freezer burn occurs when thousands of tiny water molecules turn into ice crystals within the food. This event causes the food to loose moisture and to have the “parched” look. Not only does the water escape and freeze, but also, oxygen gets into the pores of your food, causing the once-bright color to fade and the flavor to dissipate. Proper storage in containers fit for the freezer will help to reduce the amount of freezer burn your foods endure as well as save you money because less will need to be thrown out.

What to look for

No matter where your container is going, whether it is on your kitchen counter, in your pantry or in the icebox, there are a few basic rules to follow in choosing the right container.

  1. Air tight – Make sure your container has a good locking mechanism and a rubber seal that goes around in order to seal out air and moisture. This will slow the process of spoiling and also keep the contents inside fresh for a longer period of time.
  2. Different sizes – The more sizes you have, the less space you waste. By filling a container up as much as possible, there is less room for air inside the container, which is what aids in the breakdown process. Not to mention, having different sizes, makes it convenient to stack, store and save different products; there is no reason to keep raisins in a container meant to hold spaghetti.
  3. Differente materials - Glass jars and plastic containers are designed to store different types of food. Find the material best suited to the food it will contain. Ths material should be approved to be used with food.
  4. Easy marking surface – A surface that is easy to mark, erase, and mark again is extremely important. Having a good writing surface makes it easy to label what is in each container, especially if the containers are not translucent. This also aids in organizing your pantry and freezer since you can put like items together and even alphabetize them if you would like.

A good container makes all of the difference when storing your food in your pantry or freezer. If you don’t have a set of decent quality containers, go to the local store and pick some up. Just remember, they don’t have to be expensive in order to meet all of the criteria.