Freezing without plastic using these alternatives
What matters when it comes to choosing the right packaging for freezing? What’s crucial is for the moisture to be retained in the food to prevent it from drying out – which is known as “freezer burn”. The packaging should therefore be air-tight. In this article, we’ll show you various alternatives to plastic that you can use to freeze your food safely and for as long as possible.
Containers for freezing – the key points
- Glass containers are ideal for soups and sauces.
- Stainless steel containers are unbreakable and very suitable for meat and large portions.
- Only fill jars ¾ full with liquid and don’t seal them shut with the lid until the contents are frozen.
- Ice cube trays are perfect for small portions.
- Wax wraps can be used as an alternative to plastic freezer bags.
Freezing food without plastic – list of contents
Containers for freezing made of glass with no plastic
Glass containers are one practical way to freeze food without using plastic. Thick-walled screw-top jars or glass containers with a lid are particularly suitable. The best choice is to use tumblers or Weck jars as they build up less tension. If you use existing screw-top jars that contained jams or gherkins, you’ll not only save money, but reduce waste too. Alternatively, you can also use casserole dishes with a lid, especially for larger quantities or flat dishes where it’s particularly vital to cool them down quickly.
Stainless steel containers provide a robust alternative to glass and are also ideal for freezing without using any plastic. They’re unbreakable and durable. Stainless steel boxes are a great solution, especially for meat or larger chunks of food. However, one disadvantage compared to glass is that you can’t see the contents from the outside. That’s why it’s advisable to label the containers so you can keep track of what frozen food is inside.
One important rule to follow when you freeze liquids is that the jars should only be filled roughly three-quarters full so they don’t shatter when the contents inside expand as they freeze. The lid should only be placed on and screwed tight once the liquid has frozen.
Stainless steel ice cube trays offer a clever way to freeze small portions of food. They are perfect for herbs or for homemade vegetable broth, baby food, sauces and pestos. This method lets you achieve a better portion size when you eventually use the food.
Any containers that you intend to use for freezing should meet a few requirements. You can read more about this in our article Freezing: It’s all about the packaging – FreshMAG.
You can find out everything else you need to know about freezing food in our article Freezing food – how to do it correctly! – FreshMAG.
Alternatives to freezer bags made of plastic
Containers made of glass and stainless steel take up a lot of space in the freezer. However, there are sustainable alternatives to freezer bags made of plastic that don’t take up much space.
Wax paper or reusable wax wraps are particularly suitable for bread, cheese or sausages. They provide a protective envelope around the food and prevent freezer burn. Larger versions of wax wraps can be used as a cover for bowls or casserole dishes. They are easy to clean and reuse.
Paper, cloths or cotton bags are only of limited benefit. With these materials, the moisture can escape from the food and freezer burn can occur. This loss of moisture may cause the frozen food to become tough and dry. Paper, fabric or cotton can be used for a brief period of storage in the freezer.
Freezing without packaging
In some cases, it’s actually possible to freeze food without any packaging. Firm fruits such as bananas, berries or pears can be placed in the freezer without any additional protection because their own skin protects them from freezer burn. Vegetables like rhubarb or herbs can also be frozen unpackaged. You should clean them thoroughly first and spread them out in a suitable place in the freezer compartment so the pieces don’t stick together.
However, this method is suitable only for temporary storage because any food without extra protection will dry out faster and its quality will deteriorate. In addition, this food is exposed to different aromas from other foods.
You can also freeze food without packaging and then transfer it to a container. This means the items of food won’t freeze together, but they’ll still have a longer shelf life because of the air-tight storage they’ll then enjoy.
You can use the Liebherr freezer tray to store individual items of fruit, berries and herbs. This prevents them from freezing together and makes it easier to portion and pack them in an airtight fashion later on.
FAQs – freezing without plastic
To freeze bread without using plastic, you can place it in a paper bag or cotton bag. These alternatives are eco-friendly, but not suitable for long-term storage. One longer-term option is to store bread in glass containers for freezing. This will preserve the taste and quality for as long as possible.
Glass is an excellent choice. Glass containers for freezing are reusable, odourless and protect food from freezer burn. Glass containers are not just eco-friendly, but also safer because, unlike plastic, they don’t release any harmful substances that can enter the food.
Glass containers or stainless steel cans are suitable alternatives to plastic for freezing. These containers are not just robust, but also eco-friendly. For liquid foods, do not fill the containers all the way to the brim so you leave enough room for the contents to expand as they freeze.
You can freeze food without plastic by using glass containers or stainless steel cans. Ice cube trays are a great option for smaller portions. If you want to freeze food without using any packaging at all, you can place suitable items of fruit or vegetables in their natural peel directly into the freezer as they are.
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