Right here, we’ve consulted meals security specialists to share their insights on the best cleansing frequency and the best methods to maintain your freezer bacteria-free. When you’ve given it a deep clear, you possibly can breathe a sigh of aid, understanding that your meals will keep contemporary and your freezer will run effectively.
How lengthy does meals final within the freezer?
In accordance with the USDA, frozen meals will stay protected indefinitely if correctly frozen, however the size of time you retailer these meals within the freezer might have an effect on their high quality. Registered dietitian and meals security knowledgeable Carrie Gabriel, RD, tells us, “Meats like bacon, sausage, beef, and poultry are good within the freezer [for] a mean of three to 4 months. Soups and stews are good within the freezer [for] a mean of two to a few months.”
The important thing right here is ensuring that the meals are correctly frozen within the first place. In accordance with Ashley Hawk, RD, a number of the tell-tale indicators that one thing has not been frozen appropriately, and subsequently, has potential indicators of contamination embrace:
- Items of meat turning grey or shedding their coloration
- Vivid greens wanting boring
- Meals feeling sticky
- Proof of spills
- Meals is partially thawed
Correct freezer storage requires sealing meals in an hermetic container and freezing it shortly. Typically, “it’s best to toss these items after six months, particularly if an merchandise has freezer burn or ice crystals surrounding it. It’s probably the style and texture of the meals shall be disagreeable,” Gabriel says.
How typically must you clear your freezer?
Whereas discarding outdated meals is one essential a part of sustaining a clear freezer, it’s additionally vital to incessantly give the entire thing a very good scrub. Seems, freezers aren’t simply magical ice packing containers that by no means want consideration—they really respect a bit TLC. So how typically do we have to add this process to our to-do listing? “A weekly fast wipe down, involving cleansing the cabinets and corners to stop micro organism buildup is good, however you actually solely want a deep clear yearly,” Gabriel says.
Nonetheless, you could must deep clear your freezer extra typically. “In case you expertise energy outages or main meals spills. Undoubtedly test your fridge handbook to see in case your mannequin requires extra common cleansing,” Gabriel explains.
How one can clear a freezer correctly
So how precisely are you purported to deep clear a freezer? Hawk walks us by means of this pretty easy, three-step course of.
1. Take away meals and cabinets
Begin by unplugging the freezer to cease it from operating. Take away all of the meals gadgets from the freezer, inserting perishable gadgets in a cooler or one other freezer to maintain them chilly while you’re cleansing. In case your freezer has a big buildup of ice, depart the door open and permit the ice to soften.
2. Clear with multipurpose cleaner spray
As soon as the ice has melted, wipe up the water with towels. Put together a cleansing answer by mixing equal elements of heat water and dish cleaning soap. Utilizing a sponge, completely wipe down all surfaces, together with cabinets, drawers, and the freezer partitions. After cleansing, rinse all surfaces with clear water, after which dry every part with a clear towel.
3. Toss outdated meals earlier than restocking
Earlier than turning the freezer again on, guarantee all surfaces are fully dry to stop new ice from forming. Plug the freezer again in and type by means of your frozen gadgets, discarding something expired or freezer-burned. When restocking the meals, you’ll want to label it with the date it was first frozen. It will enable you maintain observe of the meals’ freshness and scale back the overdue buildup of outdated gadgets.
