19
Storing Food
Frozen Food Storage
•
Keep the freezer compartment at 0° F
or lower.
•
A freezer operates most efficiently when it
is at least 2/3 full.
Packaging Foods for Freezing
•
To minimize food dehydration and quality
deterioration, use aluminum foil, freezer
wrap, freezer bags, or airtight containers.
Force as much air out of the packages as
possible and seal them tightly. Trapped air
can cause food to dry out, change color,
and develop an off-flavor (freezer burn).
•
Wrap fresh meats and poultry with
suitable freezer wrap prior to freezing.
•
Do not refreeze meat that has
completely thawed.
Loading the Freezer
•
Avoid adding too much warm food to the
freezer at one time. This overloads the
freezer, slows the rate of freezing, and
can raise the temperature of frozen foods.
•
Leave a space between packages, so cold
air can circulate freely, allowing food to
freeze as quickly as possible.
Do Not block
Air Flow From
Air Baffle
Energy-Saving Tips
Installation
•
Locate the freezer in the coolest part of
the room, out of direct sunlight, and away
from heating ducts or registers.
•
Do not place the freezer next to heat-
producing appliances such as a range,
oven, or dishwasher. If this is not possible,
a section of cabinetry or an added
layer of insulation between the two (2)
appliances will help the freezer operate
more efficiently.
•
Level the freezer so that the doors
close tightly.
Temperature Settings
Refer to the “Controls” section for
procedures on temperature settings.
Food Storage
•
Avoid overcrowding the freezer or blocking
cold air vents. Doing so causes the freezer
to run longer and use more energy.
•
Cover foods and wipe containers dry
before placing them in the freezer. This cuts
down on moisture build-up inside the unit.
•
Organize the freezer to reduce door
openings. Remove as many items as
needed at one time and close the door as
soon as possible.
•
Do not place a hot container directly on
a cold shelf. Remember, such an extreme
temperature change may damage the glass.
