|
|
Post by Deleted on May 10, 2013 14:44:27 GMT -5
I just got a very large upright freezer (will include pics), and ordered about 30 lbs of food from Hare Today (will arrive around Thursday). My question is how should I keep the freezer to prevent freezer burn? I know that a well stocked freezer has a better chance of preventing freezer burn, but I don't think 30 lbs will fully stock this freezer (probably not even close). What temperature (F please) is the best to maintain a proper freeze? I will only be opening the door very briefly once a day to grab a bag, and it will be open for a few minutes whenever I restock. Are there any secrets to making sure your food will last?   |
|
|
|
Post by Heather on May 10, 2013 14:49:24 GMT -5
You might try double bagging it. I don't know what type of packaging Hare Today uses but when I get meats from the coop I usually grab some industrial plastic bags and store the wrapped meats in the larger plastic bag. It appears to help. I just picked up 200lbs of meat yesterday and double bagged all of it. I received 100lbs 2 weeks ago and just stored it in a heavy duty cardboard box (which I pitched when I finished filling it yesterday)
ciao
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 10, 2013 15:00:52 GMT -5
I'm not sure what they use either, but I plan on taking everything out of the bags they give anyway and portioning it out into individual bags per serving. I can do double bagging, would bagging a week's worth of food together into another bag work the same way, or does each portioned bag need to be double bagged?
|
|
|
|
Post by Heather on May 10, 2013 15:09:27 GMT -5
No, I just take all my smaller portioned packages and stick them in a larger bag. I've even gone as far as taking all those and putting them in an even larger bag. I usually go through enough meat that is doesn't sit around for very long and freezer burn isn't an issue. It doesn't bother the ferrets anyway.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 10, 2013 15:10:04 GMT -5
I use the largest freezer bags I can get, and I use the small 'snack' bags for portion. Bag everything up in the 'snack' size ziplocs, then I fit as many snack bags into the larger freezer bag as I can comfortably fit.
I would definitely make sure each portioned bag is double bagged whichever way you decide to go about doing it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 10, 2013 15:11:27 GMT -5
Okay, so a little bit of freezer burn won't make them sick or make them not eat it? My order should last around 3 months, so I guess I shouldn't really worry much, but I naturally worry way too much lol
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 10, 2013 15:12:55 GMT -5
I use the largest freezer bags I can get, and I use the small 'snack' bags for portion. Bag everything up in the 'snack' size ziplocs, then I fit as many snack bags into the larger freezer bag as I can comfortably fit. I would definitely make sure each portioned bag is double bagged whichever way you decide to go about doing it. I use snack sizes too, I was planning on putting a weeks worth of snack bags into a gallon or so size, then maybe putting each month's worth into a plastic grocery bag or something. |
|
|
|
Post by Heather on May 10, 2013 15:15:24 GMT -5
Works  though you probably won't get a lot of protection from the grocery bag ciao |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 10, 2013 15:53:15 GMT -5
Package the things that you don't go through as quick a lot better. Myself, I WHIP through hearts and gizzards like there is no tomorrow. Kidney and liver, not so much as my current menu consists of mostly commercial raw. Kidney and liver I will pack a lot 'better' than hearts.
|
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on May 10, 2013 16:04:19 GMT -5
Freezer burn won't hurt them though it does affect the taste and texture so they may not want to eat it. Freezer burn is when the meat has been partially "freeze dried". The dry atmosphere of the freezer extracts the moisture from the meat. The key to avoiding it is good wrapping to prevent exposure of the meat to the direct atmosphere of the freezer. Make sure you aren't using cheap wrapping materials and you should be fine.
I make up a monthly batch of 1 days worth of food portions and then freeze them in plastic containers I get from the bulk food store. I used to use freezer bags but didn't like throwing them out all the time.I haven't had any issues with freezer burn yet with the plastic containers. Now I only use large freezer bags for longer term storage.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 10, 2013 20:39:33 GMT -5
Too keep your freezer from having to work hard you can fill large containers with water to freeze just be sure to either leave lids off or don't fill them full to allow for expanding, I usually do this when I'm only half full, helps keep food if the power goes out too.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on May 10, 2013 20:57:58 GMT -5
No, a bit of freezer burn won't hurt  If it's visible just cut it off It should take a year or so before any really starts to show up. |
|
