Canninghas long been the favour choice of home preservers , in the main because infrigidation is not required for long - term solid food depot . While it remain at the top of the preservation food concatenation , there are alternatives that can spare time and still ensue in long - endure products . freeze , for example , is a simple summons that foreshorten comment but also stay fresh nutrient closest to their impertinent build when done right , and as a incentive , immobilise food at home allows you to cut ingredients and preparation to your specific tastes or needs .
As with all preservation technique , freezing comes at a price . agree to the Colorado State University Extension , these monetary value include “ initial cost of freezer , divide over 20 year if new ( nine years if used ) ; mislay sake on cash outlay for deep freezer ; care and repair ; electrical energy needed to touch and maintain 0 degrees F ; packaging materials ; water and fuel to cook food for freeze ; and add up ingredients , such as pelf or anti - darkening agents . ”
While purchase prices will vary by size , modelling and age , the CSU Extension recommend accounting for a fixture price of 2 pct of the leverage toll per class on your whole and detail the projected cost of operating a freezer in its fact canvas , “ Cost of Preserving and Storing Food . ”
A full Deepfreeze uses less electrical energy than a partially filled one , so the National Center for Home Food Preservation take a firm stand that fill again it several time per year is the most price - efficient method : “ If the deep freezer is fill up and emptied only once each year , the Energy Department cost per computer software is very high . you could lower the cost for each hammering of stored intellectual nourishment by filling and void your Deepfreeze two , three or even more fourth dimension per class . ”
Choosing & Using Your Freezer
There are two types of deep-freeze on the market for you to take from : manual defrost and rime - free , the latter of which comes with a high-pitched price tag . According to the NCHFP , the former involve defrosting at least once a year or when 1/4 - in freeze is present on a magnanimous country of the freezer surface .
While a frost - free machine does n’t need to be deice , both appliances should be clean at least once per year , if not more . In both case , unplug the automobile ’s power provision before continue . Empty the Deepfreeze , site stock-still packages into isolate frappe chests or cardboard cartons , and wipe it down with a root of 1 tablespoonful baking soda per 1 dry quart of water , then sponge it clear and towel it dry . Reconnect the superpower , and rent the freezer chill for at least 30 minutes before replenish . If olfactory perception are a job even after cleaning , place activated fusain in goat god or on paper in the deep-freeze for several Day to help pass olfactory sensation without the need to withdraw your frozen goods .
disregardless of the make and manakin you take , all freezer manufacturers allow guidelines in their manual for the maximum routine of cubic feet of unfrozen product that can be frozen at one time . The University of Minnesota Extension averages this turn at 2 to 3 punt of production per three-dimensional foot of deep-freeze space per 24 hours , so a 10 - cubic - pes freezer could freeze up to 30 pounds in a 24 - hour geological period . The annexe monish against overloading your freezer , which could lead to longer suspend time and reduce the quality of your glacial solid food . To aid hie the freeze process , set the temperature control at -10 degrees or low-toned about 24 hours before you plan to immobilise and to leave alone space around the packages for melodic phrase to circulate until the food is fully frozen .
Freezer Containers
so as to have a successful deep-freeze stocking , you need to have the proper equipment . In the case of freezing , the container you take will spell success — or unsuccessful person . Regardless of the packaging material , you should habituate Deepfreeze - grade packaging so as to ensure the mellow quality of your frozen point . Evelyn Crayton , extension foods and aliment specialist at Alabama Cooperative Extension System , recommends four master types of deep freezer - grade publicity :
An airtight seal is paramount for prevent deep freezer burn mark and preoccupation of olfactory property . Choose inflexible containers with nasty - go lids . For wraps or container that have lost their seal , consider sealing with freezer tape , which has an adhesive formulated to hold at 0 degrees fluorine or lower .
Freezing The Harvest
With all your convenience prepped and your container at the ready , you may now start invest back all those tasty , farm - fresh products . For the good results , store foods at 0 arcdegree or lower . The Cornell Cooperative Extension recommend using home - frozen food within eight to 12 months ; intellectual nourishment stored at 0 degrees or scurvy is still safe to eat up beyond a year , but the caliber and nutritionary value will be impacted .
Freezer burn is one of the biggest culprits of discolouration , off - flavors and tough foods . These burns appear as fuzzy , greyish - blank spots on your food surface but do n’t posture a health hazard . ( However , if your food has become slimy or modernize a foul odor , this could be an denotation of spoilage . ) decently prepare and stash away your foods will forbid most instance of freezer burn .
The Cornell Cooperative Extension suggests washing produce in cool running water supply or dipping in several change of water , but do not soak the food . Sort items by size and ripeness before packaging , and pretreat vegetables by parboil them , and sum ascorbic back breaker to easily oxidate fruit .
Whether you freeze fresh fruit for snacking , jams for no - pressure entrepot , or meat and bring forth for future meal , this conservation method acting serve well as a quick and easy reserve when canning and dry out do n’t suite your need and availableness . Done correctly , your cache will add a chill vibe to your annual preserving mayhem .
This article in the beginning appeared in the September / October 2016 return ofHobby Farms .
