Query on food containers for freezers

[gillrogers]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend freezer food containers with labels you can write on that doesn't rub off easily when moved around the freezer? Preferably portion sizes tubs ? I'm currently reuse tubs from the local take away but I can never read what I wrote on them after a while.

Thanks,

Gill

 

[helli]

Do you need different containers of different pens?
I too reuse takeaway containers. I write on them with a Sharpie and don't have any problems.

The other option is to buy a roll of labels which you can stick to the boxes. No harm in sticking a new label over the top of the last.

 

[gillrogers]

Do you need different containers of different pens?
I too reuse takeaway containers. I write on them with a Sharpie and don't have any problems.

The other option is to buy a roll of labels which you can stick to the boxes. No harm in sticking a new label over the top of the last.

Ya know @helli , it never occurred to me that it could be the pens duh lol. I did think of sticky labels but I rekon theyed come off.

 

[Lucyr]

I use masking tape and a sharpie, doesn’t come off.

 

[Almond_tart2021]

i save old christmas , birthday cards, and cut them up for labels, use biro and sellotape , remove each time i wash them up, ready for a new one, i also invested in glass portion size dishes, so they can go straight in the microwave, and don't end up stained like plastic.

 

[zuludog]

I don't think I've ever bought any bags or containers for food storage, either in the freezer, the fridge, or otherwise; I re use old ones -
Oh, I use a butty box that I bought years ago, but that's not actually for storage

Plastic bags --
those used by supermarkets and other shops to put loose fruit & veg in
the inside bags from breakfast cereal packets
bags of frozen veg, etc
Bread bags

Containers of margarine, yogurt, potato salad & similar tubs
Containers from chilled ready meals don't usually have lids, just a plastic film; used as trays in the fridge for eggs, tomatoes, etc
Empty jam & coffee jars
Ice cream tubs

Wash them, label with a felt pen, usually a Sharpie, or sticky labels - I got a big packet from a discount store very cheaply, then Sellotape on top if it's for long term storage
You can wash plastic bags, turn them inside out as required, but it does take a couple of days to dry
Clothes pegs & elastic bands to seal the bags
Sometimes I make a big batch of stew and dispense it into single servings in plastic bags, then freeze it. When it's thawed, cut open the bag and throw it away

But note - some of these containers might have held sweet & carby foods, but that doesn't mean I buy them every day by any means

I'm sure you'll find more ideas if you Search t'Net & YouTube
Although not specifically for storage, Search t'Net & YT for BENTO BOX, which is a Japanese food box; besides the actual box there are ideas for taking your own lunch

 

[JJay]

I stick these on any container I happen to have & just use ordinary ballpoint. They never come off in the freezer but peel off easily so you can re-use the container

Freezeasy White Peel Off Freezer Bag Labels x250

Plain white, adhesive Freezeazy labels. Ideal for labelling freezer bags or freezer storage containers. Peel off easily after use. Pack of 250.

www.lakeland.co.uk

 

[gillrogers]

I don't think I've ever bought any bags or containers for food storage, either in the freezer, the fridge, or otherwise; I re use old ones -
Oh, I use a butty box that I bought years ago, but that's not actually for storage

Plastic bags --
those used by supermarkets and other shops to put loose fruit & veg in
the inside bags from breakfast cereal packets
bags of frozen veg, etc
Bread bags

Containers of margarine, yogurt, potato salad & similar tubs
Containers from chilled ready meals don't usually have lids, just a plastic film; used as trays in the fridge for eggs, tomatoes, etc
Empty jam & coffee jars
Ice cream tubs

Wash them, label with a felt pen, usually a Sharpie, or sticky labels - I got a big packet from a discount store very cheaply, then Sellotape on top if it's for long term storage
You can wash plastic bags, turn them inside out as required, but it does take a couple of days to dry
Clothes pegs & elastic bands to seal the bags
Sometimes I make a big batch of stew and dispense it into single servings in plastic bags, then freeze it. When it's thawed, cut open the bag and throw it away

But note - some of these containers might have held sweet & carby foods, but that doesn't mean I buy them every day by any means

I'm sure you'll find more ideas if you Search t'Net & YouTube
Although not specifically for storage, Search t'Net & YT for BENTO BOX, which is a Japanese food box; besides the actual box there are ideas for taking your own lunch

Thanks for the tip @zuludog , that's lots!

 

[gillrogers]

I stick these on any container I happen to have & just use ordinary ballpoint. They never come off in the freezer but peel off easily so you can re-use the container

Freezeasy White Peel Off Freezer Bag Labels x250

Plain white, adhesive Freezeazy labels. Ideal for labelling freezer bags or freezer storage containers. Peel off easily after use. Pack of 250.

www.lakeland.co.uk

Thanks @JJay

 

[SB2015]

A friend has passed on he containers from her regular Chinese takeaways. They fit our drawers perfectly, stack and work very well for storing when we cook in bulk. These are labelled using the labels as @gillrogers has out pic in for.

We reuse bags for our bread which we bake in bulk and store half loaves. Then there are the odd bags where the labels have come off and it is pure guess work what is in them. Some nice surprises and others very unexpected.

 

[Leadinglights]

I had some cheap freezer bags from B & M and the contents, mainly home grown fruit and veg were frequently scattered in the freezer, back to IKEA bags.

 

[ColinUK]

A friend has passed on he containers from her regular Chinese takeaways. They fit our drawers perfectly, stack and work very well for storing when we cook in bulk. These are labelled using the labels as @gillrogers has out pic in for.

We reuse bags for our bread which we bake in bulk and store half loaves. Then there are the odd bags where the labels have come off and it is pure guess work what is in them. Some nice surprises and others very unexpected.

Mum once took two pies out of the freezer. One was chicken and the other apple. Defrosted both. Put the chicken one in the oven for dinner....

Both were apple!

 

[helli]

Tip from someone who learnt from experience ...
Using bags are great in the freezer but if you fill it with something "loose" don't place it directly on the grill shelves. The contents may mould to the grill and cannot be removed without taking out the shelf 😳

I only made that mistake once and now freeze the bags on a small tray (which can be removed and reused when the contents are solid.

 

[PattiEvans]

I use plastic tupperware style boxes, but I put the contents in, lay a layer of cling film or greaseproof directly on top of the food, then place a little bit of ordinary paper with the name of the dish between the cling film and the lid. OK you have to open the lid to see what's in em, but that's not hard and the method costs next to nothing.

 

[helli]

S

I use plastic tupperware style boxes, but I put the contents in, lay a layer of cling film or greaseproof directly on top of the food, then place a little bit of ordinary paper with the name of the dish between the cling film and the lid. OK you have to open the lid to see what's in em, but that's not hard and the method costs next to nothing.

Seems a shame to use a reusable container and then use something non biodegradable like clung film as a separator. Is it possible to just add the piece of paper once the contents have frozen?

 

[Vonny]

Because I have same problem with labels and pens I just use different bits of the freezer to store certain foods. If any family member decides to rearrange my freezer I am in trouble, and so will they be!

 

[Dave_Z1a]

You can get those coloured bag clips quite cheaply, I use different colours for different contents, chicken dishes yellow, beef red etc. Just write on bags with sharpie including freeze date. If you put bag in small pot or tupperware container before freezing it will freeze into that shape, pull bag out and you have a square frozen block which is easier to stack and takes less room than an odd shaped package.

 

[PattiEvans]

S

Seems a shame to use a reusable container and then use something non biodegradable like clung film as a separator. Is it possible to just add the piece of paper once the contents have frozen?

Yes of course Helli. I do worry about cling film these days. Also as I said, a bit of greaseproof paper does as well.

 

[nonethewiser]

Chinese takeaway containers, just use one of those sharpie pens to write on lid if needed.

 

[Leadinglights]

Chinese takeaway containers, just use one of those sharpie pens to write on lid if needed.

A magic sponge works well to get sharpie pen off as it can be stubborn on some lids.