How to Maximise Freezer Space
It’s no-one’s favourite job, so be honest: when did you last ‘declutter’ your freezer?
When you’re busy, finding the time (and, let’s face it, the motivation) to organise your freezer can be hard – even though it will make your food easier to store and faster to find.
A well-organised freezer means no more rummaging around for the ‘emergency’ pizza. Plus, no more out-of-date items lurking at the back.
Here’s how to maximise space in your freezer in 5 easy steps.
1. Sort out and label your food
Whether you have a spacious chest freezer, a smaller under-counter freezer or a combined fridge freezer 50/50 split, start by sorting your food.
Discard any out-of-date items. Label and date the food you keep, especially any leftovers or batch cooking.
Plan your meals if you can and regularly rotate your food. This will help cut waste and reduce your supermarket bills.
2. Use freezer-proof square containers and bags
Fed up with being met by a jumble of open packs each time you want the ice cream?
Freezing food in portions will make it easier to fit in. Store food in square or rectangle freezer containers which stack well and take up less space.
Shallower containers are best for sauces as they freeze faster. Don’t fill them to the top as they’ll expand slightly as they freeze.
Alternatively, seal food in clear plastic freezer bags. Gusseted freezer bags open into a box shape that's easier to fill and store.
Storing food this way won’t just make things faster to find. It will also help prevent freezer ‘burn’, which damages food when it isn’t properly packed and sealed.
3. Organise your freezer baskets and shelves
Make the most of space in your freezer by creating ‘zones’ for similar types of food – such as meat/fish or fruit and veg – using the shelves, baskets, dividers and drawers.
If you have an upright freezer or American-style fridge freezer, use the door compartments for items such as bread, as this is the warmest part.
With five handy drawers and three shelves, the Blomberg FND568P Frost Free Tall Freezer has plenty of space. Thanks to its Food Protector tech, it’s also ideal if you’re looking for a frost free freezer for an unheated garage, as it works at ambient temperatures as low as -15°C.
4. Store your favourite food in easy reach
It’s a good idea to keep the food you eat most often in the most accessible place. Placing it where you’ll see it first means you won’t forget it’s there.
If you have a chest freezer or deep freezer drawers, store items vertically (ie stand boxes on their ends instead of flat on top of each other), so you can easily see what you have – like scanning a shelf of books. Do this in smaller freezer bins and baskets if it helps.
5. Don’t overfill your freezer
Packing your freezer too full means the air inside can’t move freely. This makes it harder for your freezer to work efficiently at the recommended -18°C degrees or below.
But don’t leave your freezer empty either. Freezers work best when they’re at least three-quarters full.
Choosing the right capacity freezer or fridge freezer will help. Explore our full range of Sensis, Beko, Blomberg, Bosch, Indesit and Hotpoint refrigeration.
To maintain optimal efficiency and increase storage space, regular defrosting of your freezer is also essential. This practice not only enhances performance but also maximises the internal space of the appliance by eliminating ice buildup.
Refrigerators with Total No Frost technology prevent ice buildup in the freezer compartment, saving you time and effort by eliminating the need for manual defrosting. So, when you're choosing your next appliance, be sure to look for one that features this convenient Total No Frost technology.
If you need help choosing a new freezer to help you store your frozen goods, pop in store for advice and to speak with one of our experts, or check out our full refrigeration range to see our appliances.
