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Storing food in your freezer
The use of temperatures of -18°C (0°F) 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:
Choose only high quality foods that freeze well.
Store at -18°C (0°F) 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 20 – 50 mm (1 – 2”) head space is recommended.
Seal. Ideally, remove all the air from the package after food is frozen.
Packages or containers of solid foods should have the air removed from them and be sealed
tightly before freezing.
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 2 hours before required. For more information refer to page 24.
Freeze immediately or as quickly as possible. Freeze only small quantities of food at any one
time. For best results we recommend that only 1 kg (2.2 lb) of food be frozen per 25 L (0.9 cu.ft)
of freezer storage volume at any one time. (About 3 kg (7 lb) in small freezers and 4 kg (9 lb) 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.
Keep a constant turnover of food. Use older items of food first and do not exceed recommended
storage times.
Use good quality freezer proof packaging to maintain food quality.
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