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Original poster

To think there must be a better way to use a chest freezer?

40 replies

JellyFlooding · 22/01/2025 13:55

Got a chest freezer recently and I love it. But it's quickly descended into complete chaos and I have no idea what's at the bottom any more.

We have a wire basket at the top on either side, but what can we do to organise all the stuff below? I started off with sections for meat, veg etc but it's all slid together and it's a complete hash now.

Does everyone just tolerate this? Or does anyone have any genius ideas for doing it better?

OP posts:
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Original poster
JellyFlooding · 24/01/2025 14:27

That's reassuring, @Saltandvin

I've had a good look at what I can find in Google and I don't want lots of things stacked like the hamster baskets, I don't think. I would like lots of tall and narrow things so I can just reach in, but these don't seem to exist!

I'm not sure if my chest freezer is deeper/bigger than normal, as it seems to be a lot bigger than the product illustrations. Mine could definitely fit a couple of bodies in.

OP posts:
Saltandvin · 24/01/2025 13:06

We've had a couple of plastic boxes in to divide the space for perhaps 5 years and never had a problem with them breaking. Don't lift them in and out though.

Wolfiefan · 24/01/2025 13:03

@Pantah630 they made the caging for my van for the dogs. Lovely guys and great job. All made bespoke.

Pantah630 · 24/01/2025 12:27

Wolfiefan · 22/01/2025 16:10

If you’re anywhere near Hamster Baskets they make custom made freezer storage baskets.

Thank you for that, now coveting freezer crates 😁

SnakesAndArrows · 24/01/2025 12:09

GasPanic · 22/01/2025 15:51

How big is this freezer ?

Show quote history

I reckon I could fit one medium sized enemy in mine with room for the food to fit in around the edges.

Original poster
JellyFlooding · 24/01/2025 12:06

SleepingisanArt · 22/01/2025 16:19

I also bought a set of stacking freezer baskets and have different things in each one plus ghe sliding basket and a couple of things on the little shelf under the sliding basket. The stacking baskets make it easy to see what I'm looking for and they are easy to lift out to get to the bottom....

Do you have a link for the baskets, please?

OP posts:
ZaraSkyTraveler · 22/01/2025 20:10

SpringleDingle · 22/01/2025 13:59

Use it to keep the bodies of your enemies?

I’ve clearly watched too many murder mysteries as this is ALL I can think of for chest freezers….storing dead bodies

Redbushteaforme · 22/01/2025 20:08

I also have three (nylon/polyester) bags - one for bread etc, one for frozen prepared food (eg veggie sausages and veggie burgers, quiche) and one for veggies.. Cheaper than plastic baskets but keep the food organised into categories.

CommonSenseIsRare · 22/01/2025 19:45

I used to use the large shopping bags when I had a chest freezer. Easier than boxes as they have handles on.

haribosarebest · 22/01/2025 19:05

When we got our freezer a few years ago we found exactly the same problem. My DH made dividers from, I think, plywood. So we have four separate compartments on the bottom with baskets on top. We 'try' to keep a written list too but are always forgetting to add or remove items!

Oblomov25 · 22/01/2025 19:00

Ha ha, freezer porn. Like the Christmas fridge thread! Grin

Ilovemyshed · 22/01/2025 17:07

These are brilliant

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/hallbar-bin-with-lid-for-organic-waste-light-grey-80433882/

amoreoamicizia · 22/01/2025 17:07

Freezer porn!

Oldraver · 22/01/2025 16:56

Oh I also have some fabric bags that Le Cruset came in (I've seen similar in other shops). I keep all the veg in these and they are at the side of the crate so can be easily pulled up

Oldraver · 22/01/2025 16:54

I have two plastic foldable crates, on sits on top of the other so you can just pull out top one

Bottom crate tends to have meat or doubles if stuff that you don't need to access as much

To think there must be a better way to use a chest freezer?
C8H10N4O2 · 22/01/2025 16:28

I'd second cardboard boxes, not too large and keep each box for separate types of food. I just picked boxes which would fit together to mostly fill the bottom space and use each box for a different category such as fruit, veg, portions of soups, casseroles etc.

You do need to be disciplined about the list to get the best out of it and then "stock take" a couple of times a year to check its up to date and make sure nothing is going out of date (and that you haven't bought yet more frozen peas to add to the four bags already there!).

Dozycuntlaters · 22/01/2025 16:24

My freezer is absolute chaos, what nightmares are made of. About once a year I sort it all out, vow I will never let it get out of hand again, and it always does.

Bags for life is bloody genius. I cant face doing it now (in garage so too bloody cold) but once the weather is a bit warmer I will definitely do that.

amoreoamicizia · 22/01/2025 16:23

Bags for organisation but get some new ones so it's all clean inside. I mean don't use the bag for life that's been on a filthy self checkout etc.

magicstar1 · 22/01/2025 16:21

I'm looking for good tips here. We went through ours before Christmas and found three legs of lamb and some short ribs in the botto. Completely forgotten about!

SleepingisanArt · 22/01/2025 16:19

I also bought a set of stacking freezer baskets and have different things in each one plus ghe sliding basket and a couple of things on the little shelf under the sliding basket. The stacking baskets make it easy to see what I'm looking for and they are easy to lift out to get to the bottom....

beecrazy · 22/01/2025 16:16

I use those big checked bags you can buy, red check for meat, blue for fish, green for veg, red for fruit and black for packaged meals. Works for us and easy at defrost time

Caffeineneedednow · 22/01/2025 16:14

I use shopping bags so essentially 4 bags for lives. One is for frozen veg, one for premade frozen dinner portions ( I freeze all left overs in individual portions), one for meat and one for my gluten free bread rolls or any other gluten free bits.

2 bags at bottom 2 on top so makes it into 4 quadrants not dissimilar to shelves.

Sprig1 · 22/01/2025 16:12

Another one here who uses bags for life to section it off.

Wolfiefan · 22/01/2025 16:10

If you’re anywhere near Hamster Baskets they make custom made freezer storage baskets.

Chasingsquirrels · 22/01/2025 16:06

I use the plastic supermarket bags for life - veg, meat, fruit etc.
Hadn't thought of different colour ones for different things (but that's because I've only got Tesco ones), that's a good shout.