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41
STORING FOOD IN YOUR FREEZER
The use of temperatures of -0.4°F (-18°C) or colder to store food means that the
food can be kept for longer periods than when refrigeration temperatures are used.
This is because the growth of bacteria, moulds and yeasts are stopped, and chemical
and physical reactions are severely restricted at such low temperatures.
Frozen food care
For best results:
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Choose only high quality foods that freeze well.
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Store at -0.4°F (-18°C) or colder. Take care to maintain this low storage temperature,
eg try to avoid opening the freezer door unnecessarily. If your ice cream is soft you are
running your freezer too warm.
●
Leave space at the top of containers, glass jars or plastic bags containing liquids or
semi-solid foods. These expand as they freeze. Usually 1–2” (20–50mm) head space
is recommended. Seal. Ideally, remove all the air from the package after food is frozen.
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Packages or containers of solid foods should have the air removed from them and be
sealed tightly before freezing.
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Use the ‘Fast Freeze’ function when freezing fresh food. This helps to speed up the
freezing process, giving optimum freezing results. It is recommended that the function
is activated approximately 2hours before required.
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Freeze immediately or as quickly as possible. Freeze only small quantities of food
at any one time. For best results we recommend that only 2.2lb (1kg) of food be
frozen per 6.6gal (25L) or 0.88cubic feet of freezer storage volume at any one time.
(About 6.6lb (3kg) in small freezers and 8.8lb (4kg) in larger freezers). For faster
freezing in ActiveSmart™ models, we recommend that fresh food is placed at the top
of the freezer compartment close to the air vent.
●
Thaw foods preferably in a refrigerator, or using a microwave oven or multifunction oven.
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Keep a constant turnover of food. Use older items of food first and do not exceed
recommended storage times.
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Use good quality freezer proof packaging to maintain food quality.
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If food is only covered in plastic film place inside a freezer-proof plastic bag.
Recommended freezer storage times
These times should not be exceeded.
MONTHS TYPE OF FOOD STORED
1 Bacon, casseroles, milk
2 Bread, ice cream, sausages, pies — (meat and fruit), prepared shellfish,
oily fish
3 Non-oily fish, shellfish, pizza, scones and muffins
4 Ham, cakes, biscuits, beef and lamb chops, poultry pieces
6 Butter, vegetables (blanched), eggs whole and yolks, cooked crayfish,
minced meat (raw), pork (raw)
12 Fruit (dry or in syrup), egg whites, beef (raw), whole chicken, lamb (raw),
fruit cakes
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