Monday, June 01, 2009

Getting Organized: Freezer

My mom was here a couple of weeks ago and she was an enormous help in getting some things organized around here! She is the one who came up with this brilliant idea for organizing the freezers and I've hesitated to realize how much I would love and benefit from this organization!

It seems like I am forever mentioning here that my freezer needs cleaned out - anyone need a reminder? This is how it looked when my Mom and I started (YIKES!):

We took everything out! Purchased bins from Wal-Mart with holes so the air could move through and then sorted everything into their allotted bins. I'm loving having my food organized - and even though I used to sort like things, this has been even better!

It is so handy to be able to reach into one bin and know what is there. It is handy to be able to glance and see how much cheese there is or if I need something that is on sale. It is handy that David (and eventually our children) will be able to find things!

I love that the bins don't have to be organized inside themselves (unless you want them to) the fact that the food is already sorted into the bins is organized in itself!

The categories I have are:
Nuts
Cheese
Meat x 2
Vegetables
Bread
Fruit
Convenience
Pizza (toppings)

Freezer organization, I'm loving it! More organizing ideas coming every day this week!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm glad this is working for you! My freezer is organized with these same bins -- I wish I'd thought of this idea years ago! Love you, Mom

Wendi said...

Your freezer looks great! My deep freeze is an ongoing issue for me. Since it isn't an upright freezer I have a problem with items getting lost in the bottom. I'll have to think about a better set up.

Erika said...

I don't know why I've never thought of using bins like that in the freezer (or fridge too for that matter). Great idea, thanks for sharing.

Julie Willis said...

Oh! I like it. I did this a couple of years ago with my chest freezer. I will say I think it's much easier to keep a standing one like yours organized. I have to do a lot of staking.

It really looks good!
Julie

*carrie* said...

Looks like Mom's freezer. =) Glad you're enjoying the organization--both that and the shoes!

Clorissa said...

The freezer looks great Monica. I don't have bins in our freezer but I do use them in the fridge. I keep lunch meats and and cheeses in them! Looking forward to your organizing posts this week!

TX Doodler said...

God bless your Mom for helping, Monica! That freezer is loooking good! Can she help me? Ha ha!

We have a chest freezer & it's pretty much a throw it in there process. Then when you need something, ya have to almost crawl into it to find something. I'm hoping to switch out to an upright one day. ;)

Tootsie said...

I need to do this!!!
in answer to your question about the grass between the pavers...I use the trimmer/weed wacker thing to mow them down level with the stones...I also have been known to just lower the lawnmower blade and run over them when I am a little lazy....good luck!

Sharon said...

Looks great Monica! I love having the freezer organized :)

Wendi, ours is also a chest freezer. I try to use boxes or bins for like items and keep a running inventory of what is in there. That helps alot, but I do still do some digging to get to the bottom :)

Have a great day!

~Sharon

Beth Niquette said...

fabulous idea!

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

our extra freezer is a 'deep freezer', too - We use cardboard boxes and yet they are so hard to keep organized. Thank God, for my husband. He is the best, in helping with this.... and actually has made it his little thing of keeping the freezer "organized". I so appreciate that about him.

Debra said...

What a great idea! What would we do without our moms??

~nanashouse~ said...

Can your mom come and organize mine? Oh wait, I forgot ~~ a freezer is still on our prayer list!

Amy said...

That looks great! I sometimes wish I had an upright freezer instead of the deep freeze because everything gets lost at the bottom :) Thanks for the inspiration!

Smith said...

I see that you have cheeses in your freezer. I've always thought it would be nice to freeze cheese when it goes on sale (we seem to go through tons of it!) but never know how. Can you freeze block cheese? Or should you shred it first? Or can you even freeze shredded? Are there certain types of cheese that don't freeze well? And how long do they keep? I know this is ridiculous amount of questions to ask about cheese (and especially since it's my first time to even comment though I've been a long time reader).

Veronica

Monica Wilkinson said...

Hi Veronica,

Thanks so much for your first comment! :)

Ok, here's my experience on the cheese - I don't think block cheese is ideal for freezing. I freeze it shredded. I think any kind will work as long as it is shredded. I've tried Cheddar, Mozarella, Parmesan, Mexican blend and Italian blend all with great success.

I've had cheese for a year and used it no problem in the past. It lasts well past the date on the bag since it has been frozen.

If you set it out on your counter about 30-60 minutes before you're ready to use it, it will be the same texture as when you purchase it. Or, you can just move it to the fridge the night before or morning of.

Hope that info helps!

Monica

Blissful & Domestic said...

I actually took your advice and revamped our freezers I love it and meal planning is way easier this week. Thanks for the great ideas! You are always inspiring!

Farmgirl Paints said...

Oh that's so cool. I use baskets in my refrigerator too. It really helps me stay organized and hides the clutter, which is better for my mental health. Cute blog.