Suggested Storage Times
Eating quality drops
after time shown
DAYS MONTHS
IN IN
REFRIGERATOR FREEZER
AT AT
35 ato 40°F. O°F_
Fresh Meats
Roasts(Beef & Lamb] ........... 3 to 5
Roasts(Pork& Veal) ........................... 3 to 5
Steaks (Beef) .......................... 3 to 5
Chops (Lamb) ............................. 3 to 5
Chops (PorkJ .......................... 3 to 5
Ground & Stew Meats ............. t to 2
Variety Meats ..................................... I to 2
Sausage (Pork) .......................... 1to 2
Processed Meats
Bacon ........................... 7
Frank(utters ..................... 7
Ham (Whole) ....................... 7
Ham (Half) ............................. 3 lo 5
Ham (Slices) .......................... 3
Luncheon Meats ....................... 3 to5
Sausage (Smoked) ................. 7
Sausage (Dry & Semi-Dry) ........ 14 to 21
Cooked Meats
Cooked Meats and
Meat Dishes ................................... 3 to 4
Gravy & Meat Broth ............. 1 to 2
Fresh Poultry
Chicken & Turkey (Whole) ....... I to2
Chicken (Pieces) ........................ t to 2
Turkey {Piecesl ................... 1 to 2
Duck & Goose (Whofe) .............. t to 2
Giblels ................................ 1 to 2
Cooked Poultry
Pieces (Covered wilh Broth) ...... 1to 2
Pieces (Not Covered) ................. 3 to4
Cooked Pouttry Dishes ............ 3 ta 4
Fried Chicken .......................... 3 to 4
(Other than for meats & poultry)
6to ]2
4to8
6to 12
6 to9
3to4
3to4
3 to4
1to2
1
1/2
1 to2
1 to2
I to2
Freezing
not recom-
mended
2 to3
2to 3
12
9
6
6
3
6
1
4_6
4
FREEZER
Most fruils and vegetables ........................ 8-12 months
Lean fish .................................................... 6-8 months
Fatty fish, rolls and breads,
soups, stew, casseroles ...................... 2-3 months
Cakes, pies, sandw'_ches,
leftovers (cooked),
Ice cream {origina!carton) ......................... 1monlh max
Meats, fish and poultry purchased from the store vary in
quality and age; consequently, safe storage times in your
refrigerator will vary
New techniques are constantly being developed_
Consult the Colfege or County Extension Service or
your Iocat Utility Company for the latestinformation
on freezing and storing foods
Tips on freezing foods
1. Freeze only top-quality foods. Freezing retains
quality and flavor; it cannot improve quality.
2o Freeze fruits and vegetables quickly after
picking. The sooner you do, the better the frozen
product will be, with less culling and sorting to do.
3. Use food wraps designed especially for
freezing.
To freeze meat, fish and poultry, wrap well in
freezer-weight foil (or other heavy-duty wrapping
material) forming it carefully to the shape of the
contents_ This expels air. Fold and crimp ends of
the package to provide a good, lasting seal.
Don't refreeze meat that has completely thawed;
meat, whether raw or cooked, can be frozen
successfully onIy once..
For convenience_.
• Store like things together. This saves both timeand
electricity because you can find foods fQster,
• Place the oldest itemsup front so they can be used
up promptly,
" Use door shelves or bins for most often used items.
To save money in energy and food costs...
• Cover moist foods with tightlids, plastic film or foil.,
• Leaf vegetables and fruits placed in drawers will last
longer when stored in closed plastic containers or
wrapped in plastic film..
• Do not overload your fresh food or freezer
compartment with a lot of warm food at once_
" Open the doors the fewest timespossible to save
electrical energy..
"When going out of town for several days, leave
as few perishables as possible in the refrigerator
If your refrigerator has an icemaker, move the
icemaker feeler arm to the STOP (up) position and
shut off water to the refrigerator._
To store ice cream-Fine-quality ice cream, with
high cream content, will normally require slightly
lower temperatures than more "airy" already-
packaged brands with low cream contenL
• It will be necessary to experiment to determine the
freezer compartment location and temperature
control setting to keep your ice cream at the right
serving temperature.
"The rear of the freezer compartment isslightly
colder than the front.